Peoria, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – This will be the live blog for day three of the Sean Grayson murder trial.  Grayson, a former Sangamon County Sheriffs Deputy, is charged with murder for the death of Sonya Massey in July, 2024.  Grayson has pleaded not guilty and has claimed self defense.

WTAX and CapitolCityNow’s Will Stevenson is covering the trial at the Peoria County Courthouse, moved there from Springfield due to pre-trial publicity.

This story will be updated throughout day three of the trial. Click “refresh” on your browser to see the latest entries.  A new post will be created every day during the trial. (Some post times may be approximate.) Some of these entries may contain typographical errors that will be fixed as time allows.

11:06am: On the night of the shooting, Barton was working phones and a secondary radio channel, but received the initial call from Sonya Massey. Massey claimed it sounded like there was someone outside her home, at least making noise. The call eventually ended, but there was a phone number for dispatchers to call back. That, and all calls, are recorded. The call recording is introduced into evidence and played by the jury. The call indicated by Massey that someone was banging or making noise. The call is ended, seemingly by Massey.

We are now in recess for lunch until 1pm.

11:00am: It’s worth noting that sitting in my row of the gallery are two reporters from WICS, two reporters from WAND (our news partners), and a courtroom sketch artist for CNN. The sketch artists will share images only with their affiliates, which likely will include most local television stations.

10:56am: After a short break, next prosecution witness is Kathryn Barton, Sangamon County Dispatcher. Will be questioned by Mary Beth Rodgers, Assistant State’s Attorney. Barton is breaking down what a dispatch does during a call.

10:31am: Wykoff questions the body-worn camera footage being reviewed. Saw it in real time at first, followed by slow-motion, then frame by frame, over a 36 hour period. Weston says he started making assumptions based on responding to other shootings and thought that there could have been some use of force that led up to the shooting. He says he can make assumptions, but not jump to conclusions, since his role is as a neutral investigation. Also discusses the thinking that three shots were fired instead of two. Also questions Massey using a pot of boiling water “as a weapon” but wasn’t collected as evidence until two weeks later.

10:15am: Cross examination by defense attorney Mark Wykoff. Weston says an officer-involved shooting isn’t always a criminal investigation, but ISP is a neutral third party.

10:03am: Grayson received mandated Crisis Intervention Training, a required 40-hour course, said Weston. Says Grayson worked for a total of six departments over his career prior to the shooting. Weston is going over Grayson’s tenures at those departments. Started with SCSO in May, 2023.

10:01am: It should be noted that a triple-homicide that recently occurred in Springfield was on the same street Sonya Massey lived on: Hoover Avenue in unincorporated Springfield.

9:59am: Received body-worn camera footage later on Sunday that week. He viewed the video. Received video from both Grayson and his partner, watched them “probably more than once.” Says “it was different than the assumption I made on scene” that there was some sort of major incident or altercation that led up to the shooting. Says there was a short interaction, searched the area for a prowler for around 4 minutes, then started knocking on the door, took some time for her to answer, then four minutes later the “deadly force” incident. Says he thought there would be more verbal threats or something that would lead to the shooting. Made an initial determination that use of force was appropriate.

On July 8, all agents in his office were available. He had everyone come in for immediate response, make sure they had a chance to review the video, briefed on investigation, and do various tasks, including attend the autopsy. Weston says the cause of death was from shot to the head. He says there were three shots heard, but two shell casings were recovered.

9:50am: Received call of officer-involved shooting shortly after 2am July 6, 2024 on Hoover Street. Residence was taped off with several deputies on scene when he arrived. “An incident inside the house that involved a pot of water that was alleged to be thrown at the officer” followed by a use of force that was the shooting.

9:45am: First state witness is Lieutenant Eric Weston, Illinois State Police, Division of Criminal Investigators, “Zone 4,” covering 12 counties including Sangamon County. When the shooting occurred, he was based in the Springfield office, acting as a direct supervisor in that area. He supervised eight or nine counties at the time.

9:40am Judge Cadigan says the sounds of typing are no longer allowed in court, as jurors reported being distracted by the sound of typing. Apparently it can get a little loud when 24 of us are furiously typing. We’re all now trying to type much quieter.

9:23am: Fultz says just because law enforcement officers run toward danger, it doesn’t mean they can’t defend themselves. “Why would we hurt you? We’re the law” Fultz says Grayson told that to Massey, per the bodycam video, and that what happened in July 2024 was rapidly-developing.

“Sonya Massey was…warned to put down the pot of water. You’ll hear that,” said Fultz, prior to shots being fired. This has been “life-changing” for both the Massey family and for Grayson.

“Even though his orders were firm…Miss Massey…lifted the pot” of boiling water and attempted to throw it at Grayson. That’s when Grayson fired, said Fultz. Jurors must decide whether that use of force was reasonable “without 20/20 hindsight.” “What happened to Miss Massey was a tragedy, but it was not a crime,” said Fultz.

9:20am: Defense attorney Dan Fultz: Don’t form an opinion about the case early on. “You’ve not heard any evidence yet.” Making your mind up early means you will miss facts to help you make your decision. Jurors will be instructed that the presumption of innocence until the jurors decide beyond a reasonable doubt. If the state can’t prove it, “you’re obligated to acquit him. It’s just that simple.” “There is no crime” if you determined that shooting was justified.

“We believe the evidence will show” that Grayson lawfully discharged the weapon, “that his use of force was appropriated, and that what he did was not a crime.”

9:16am: “It will be clear [Grayson] shot and killed Massey, said Milhiser.

9:15am: You’ll see what happens when Grayson gets mad at Massey, then shoots and killed her, said Milhiser. Murder is charged in three different ways, but in all of them, Grayson is accused of doing the act. Milhiser says premeditation is not a part of first degree murder in Illinois law, so you won’t hear about it in this case. Jurors will hear the initial 911 call. ISP alerted of an officer-involved shooting around 2am that day. Jurors will hear from Illinois State Police investigators and what they did in the investigation. Deputy Dawson Farley will testify today, about showing up, starting body camera, and the interaction between Grayson and Massey. Also will hear from crime scene investigators, former Chief Deputy at Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office, Anthony Mayfield, who did the internal investigation. He’s also expected to talk about the “pattern” of Grayson not following department policies. “At the end of the day, this defendant, went into the home of Sonya Massey, when she called for help…without lawful justification” shot and killed Massey.

9:10am: Milhiser says Grayson had a pattern of not following sheriff’s department policies, and police principles. Grayson’s partner activated his body camera when arriving right at the season, while Grayson did not right away.

9:08am: “Sonya Massey is dead because of the actions of Sean Grayson” — State’s Attorney John Milhiser, at the beginning of opening statements.

9:01am: Sangamon County Judge Ryan Cadigan warns the gallery against causing any interruptions or disruptions.

Cameras and microphones are not being allowed in this trial. Cadigan said he thinks people act differently when such things are used by journalists. An Illinois Supreme Court rule allows for cameras and microphones, but gives the judge discretion.

The jury has been seated. Cadigan is giving the jurors standard rules about not researching or following media reports about the trial, etc, not jumping to conclusions, not letting any bias enter into their minds, etc.

Another note: It was brought up at the Springfield City Council meeting last night that it wasn’t fair that a black woman wasn’t picked for the jury. One black male is a part of the jury. The selection of the jury pools was handled by Peoria County.

8:58am: We’re all ready and seated in the courtroom for the first day of the trial, which will include opening statements and witness testimony.

About 22 reporters, local and network, and state and national print media, are in the courtroom, including yours truly.

There appear to be people representing both Sonya Massey’s family and Sean Grayson’s family in the courtroom. The gallery is mostly full, but there’s still room for more. People representing Massey’s family, from what we understand, were part of a pre-approved list, mostly so the room is not packed, and for safety and security concerns.

Outside, a large presents of law enforcement vehicles, dump trucks blocking some intersections, etc. There is a blog designated for rally-goers, but it’s not clear if there will be any today.

Grayson is here with his defense attorneys, dressed in a suit. It’s believed he will not be seen with handcuffs on, in front of the jury.