Peoria, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – This will be the live blog for day seven 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.  Closing arguments and jury deliberations will be Tuesday.

This story will be updated throughout day seven 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.

Some of the language below may be coarse, and some descriptions may be disturbing.

11:38am: Judge has finished reading instructions, and the jury retires to their room to begin deliberations.

Jurors 14 and 15, as alternates, have been dismissed. Two men. Leaves nine women and three men to deliberate.

And now, we wait.

11:20am: It’s been confirmed that the Massey family, led by Crump, will hold a news conference outside the Peoria County Courthouse following the verdict and any remarks by Milhiser.

11:16am: Jury instructions are now being read out loud to jury, indicating a copy will be given to them inside the deliberation room.

11:15am: Milhiser shows gun to jury, says Massey was staring down the barrel of gun when she was shot.

11:12am: Plays video again. Donna Massey emotional when Grayson says he wasn’t going to “waste” his med kit on Sonya. Video paused where Grayson says “This f***ing b***ch is crazy.”

Milhiser says jury shouldn’t let Grayson walk out of here with Second Degree Murder. “These were not the reactions of a scared young police officer.” Called Grayson a “bully.”

11:07am: Milhiser shows the “giant, dangerous pot” Sonya had. She set it on the counter when directed. After Grayson threatens to shoot Sonya “in the face.” That’s not training. Why shoot her in the face? “Target practice”. “He follows no training, zero training.” She could have lived, but a small chance, but it should have started sooner, but Grayson said don’t bother. Said he wasn’t going to waste his med kit on Massey.

Plays aftermath of shooting again where he says a med kit isn’t needed.

11:03am: Sontae Massey moves over to console Donna in the courtroom.

10:51am: Other side can find people to say there were no policy violation, Milhiser said, but he did per letters. But, this is a murder case, “where you’re dictated…by the evidence in the case.” Not just Massey’s actions, but the actions of everyone, including the defendant. The statement you can’t look at actions of Grayson after the fact is “absurd.” Defendant’s actions before and after are important, and speak to intent or movite.

“If anyone was in crisis, it was him. He snapped.”

Sonya’s death was “senseless and avoidable,” Milhiser said. No lawful justification to shoot Massey.

Plays body camera video again — this time, with captions of what Grayson said. A couple of family members leave the courtroom as the video is played. Sonya’s mother Donna is emotional but remains in the courtroom.

10:43am: Milhiser said while jurors were told not to let the emotions get to them during deliberations, Grayson let emotions get the best of him in killing Sonya Massey.

Instead of sending help when Sonya called 911, Sean Grayson was sent. Anyone else would have kept Sonya alive.

This isn’t evidence from “cut and paste” reports the defense had, but actual evidence. Defense witnesses used tense, uncertain, and says Massey attacked. “Cut and paste of what he puts in his reports…to justify the shootings,” according to Kevin Davis. Law doesn’t have much to do with Davis’ consulting business.

Every time Massey was told to drop the pot, she didn’t have it. The version of what happened from the “good old experts” isn’t true.

ISP said the case wasn’t what they thought once they watched the body camera, that’s why they went back to gather more evidence.

Cites letters to Grayson that said policy violations were substantiated.

10:41am: Rebuttal argument by State’s Attorney John Milhiser. Nationally-known attorney Benjamin Crump, who has been involved with the Massey family, is in the courtroom.

10:20am: Brief recess until 10:40am. Closing arguments most definitely went longer than opening arguments. And there’s a rebuttal argument left to go.

9:25am: Dan Fultz gives defense closing argument.

“What happened to Sonya Massey was a tragedy, but it was not a crime. We all feel sad for the Massey family” for their loss. It’s difficult for them to be in the courtroom. “I wish none of us were here today.” But, don’t let emotions dictate the outcome. Decide the case solely on the law and the evidence being provided.

You promised to not make up your minds until you deliberate. Presumption of innocence that stays with Grayson until you deliberate. “We know you will live up to that promise.”

One clear choice: not whether the shooting took place. Whether he was legally justified to do so. Instructions will have use of force and justification.

“You’re not here to decide” Grayson followed every policy/procedure/best practice. That’s not what we’re doing here.

Responding to Rodgers, but every one of the experts is being paid. “No one got paid to come in and lie.” “These are professionals who were brought in from all over the country.” Experts can differ on applications on policy. “That’s just how it works.” You’re also not supposed to decide whether you like Grayson. That’s not an issue. “Do we like his bedside manner?” Says it doesn’t matter. This is about the 29 seconds between when she leaves the couch and when she was shot. You have to look at it as he saw it that night. Don’t have to agree it was correct.

Prosecution witness formed more than assumptions, related to the pot “Sonya Massey brandished.” ISP didn’t even collect the pot right away, completely disregarded Grayson’s side of the story until later when they went to collect it. This is why we say you shouldn’t “make up your mind too soon.”

“Almost inexcusable” that all the evidence wasn’t gathered first time.

Then we have Deputy Dawson Farley, who was “interesting” as he was “walking a line” about his testimony. Farley was still within his probationary period when the shooting happened. He wrote after seeing bodycam that “both gave verbal commands to Sonya to drop the pot.” Said he was in great bodily harm when Sonya had the pot. Then he declined his first chance to be interviewed by the ISP, maybe because he knew he wasn’t being truthful. Didn’t correct any misstatements, but what drove him to change his story when Grayson was indicted by a grand jury and charged with first degree murder. “That is when Deputy Farley’s memory began to evolve.” Most critical change to his story was that he said that he unholstered his gun because he was in fear. “Wholesale abandonment of the truth” because he didn’t want to be criminally charged. “Deputy Farley lied.”

First job outside of pathology training was in Sangamon County for the coroner’s forensic pathologist. “Guess what he’s never had during that period of time” 2014-2025? A live patient. But he got on the stand and all of the sudden he’s an E.R. doctor mentioning injuries had been “potentially survivable”. But couldn’t prove it on cross-examination. Only said “according to the literature.” He offered nothing to substantiate it except “it’s not a guarantee.”

Says he regrets that Massey family has to sit through this, and having to see autopsy photos and stills from body camera video. “The sad truth is Miss Massey was never going to survive this incident.” Farley did render medical assistance (but that Grayson told him a medical kit wasn’t necessary).

Criticizes one prosecution expert witnesses who never had testified in a criminal trial before this one. But the key takeaway from the testimony is he “differed from” another professor in saying that use was not justified. He never saw stills from scene or body-worn cameras. Unaware of the use of any pot.

Professor Stoughton, a former cop for five years in Florida, admit he had never been involved in a use of force incident, nor had he ever investigated one. “You’ve never stood in his shoes. You don’t know what it’s like to be in that moment.” That’s what cross-exam was saying, not that Grayson’s experience is more important than Stoughton. Claims he second-guessed everything Grayson did that night. Never even looked at SCSO use of force policy.

Stoughton doesn’t deny when the pot was over Massey’s head and was in act of throwing, Grayson wasn’t justified in use of service weapon.

Stoughton also was criticized for referencing his own book in making reports. (He said he referenced the book, because it had other scholarly work citations and experts mentioned.)

Grayson never said he was angry at Massey. What he said was “when I arrived it was a fairly routine call. I wasn’t upset about anything.” Said he was annoyed it took her time to answer the door. He’s not yelling, screaming, and cursing. He was completely calm. It’s only when he hears the pot on the stove that he starts getting concerned, especially after Sonya “scurried” to the stove after Farley was asked to turn off the stove. Massey ended up closer to Grayson, that was his perception. Said he took a step back because he tried to avoid the pot of water, when “circumstances changed drastically.” When she said “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus,” he felt that was a threat. Drew his weapon to gain compliance. He gave clear commands, multiple commands, to drop the pot. It’s true the pot was set down at one point, but that wasn’t the end of it. For reasons we’ll never know, she got the pot again and stood up, “and threw it in his direction.” That was when he shot. We can’t wonder why she did it, but she did Like what Rodgers said, “you can believe what you see” on the body cam video. “That’s what happened.”

Defense experts “I wouldn’t like them either” if my expert had only five years of experience compared to the defense’s 73 years combined.

Use of force tactics can be in conflict with crisis intervention techniques. It was a CIT event, but wasn’t anything other than that until “Miss Massey transformed it into something other than that.” “The only option that was available was to discharge his duty weapon.” You hope that’s not the outcome, but when you’re faced with no other option, that’s what you do. Grayson felt it was the only option. Needed to maintain a clear line of sight with the subject.

When asked what could have been done, expert referenced a number of things. “She escalated the situation,” said Fultz. The outcome is because of Massey’s actions. You can disagree and like Stoughton’s ideas better. “Those who can, do.” Says his side’s witnesses do it.

Case must be reviewed, an expert said, from the eyes of a police officer. No “coula, woulda, shoulda.”

While defense witness testimony seemed “eerily similar,” maybe that’s because they are right. (They were seen conversing outside the courtroom after they were done.)

Massey’s intent doesn’t matter, what does is “manifested intent” — what she was seen doing.

“We are here because Miss Massey did not respond to clear and direct orders of a law enforcement officer.” That’s the only reason this use of force occurred, said Fultz.

Cites policy that nothing in this policy means Grayson had to retreat (the SCSO use of force policy).

“You told us that you would not find Mr. Grayson guilty unless the state has proven each and every element of the charge beyond a reasonable doubt.” Says you don’t guess about whether he was guilty.

Talks about a trip he and other lawyers made to London to the “Court of Royal Justice.” Kings would make people not leave courthouse until they came to the verdict that the king wanted. Very different than the American legal system. No matter how much the prosecution wants you to find guilty, the choice is only up to you.

9:01am: Marybeth Rodgers is giving the closing argument for the prosecution. “I’m sorry” is the last thing Massey said “before he murdered her,” just like he promised. “She was sure the defendant wasn’t going to help her. And on that day, an annoyed defendant got angry, and as he stood there as “Sonya was taking too long,” Grayson got more angry. Defendant tried to control the situation. Rodgers is very expressive to the jury, and is showing photos as she speaks. “The defendant knew how to slow things down, but he didn’t.” “The defendant didn’t care.” Says you can see the moment “the defendant lets his anger take over, and he can’t, he won’t, be stopped.”

Responds to “I rebuke you” “…with pure anger.” Sonya was in crisis, and Grayson snapped. Sonya apologized, then ducked behind a kitchen counter. Grayson didn’t try to control himself, didn’t even take a breath before shouting to drop the pot, when she wasn’t even holding it. She complied peacefully. De-escalation had been achieved, but Grayson didn’t care. Grayson was “a man with a badge and a gun and a temper.”

Grayson could have left the home, but he wants you to believe he was scared. “But it was not true.”

Grayson said a lot of things on the witness stand that just aren’t true. Grayson and Farley didn’t enter the home together. Farley did things but not because Grayson wanted him to. “The lies get bigger.” Grayson heard multiple voices, but he didn’t. He thought Sonya was intoxicated. That’s not true. He said that on the stand because before he testified, he read in the autopsy report that there was something in Sonya’s system, and “his story had to fit that. Got no information from Sonya in the house. Sonya was complying with requests.

Grayson claimed Sonya walked toward him with the pot. She didn’t. She walked toward the sink. “What he said does not make any sense.”

“He did not step back…the lies keep getting bigger.”

Evidence when body camera not working is also not true, says Rodgers. When Sonya said rebuking. With every other request, she complied. Sonya didn’t threaten Grayson, she was complying.

He also testified that when she was sorry, she knew she did something wrong. “That doesn’t make any sense.” When she apologized, it’s because a gun was pointed at her face. She doesn’t want to get shot.

Then, “for the first time ever” yesterday, Grayson said he was going to arrest Sonya. “You don’t have to believe it because it’s not true.” It’s convenient to say, but there’s no evidence Sonya was committing a crime.

“The biggest lie he’s been telling” was that there was nothing he could do, he had no choice, but to shoot. Defense had two “paid witnesses” they found that backed that up. “They had a story to tell you, along with the defendant.” “Following the rules doesn’t matter…and murder was deescalation.” Grayson had training, and other options. “Tactics are used to prevent use of force, not to justify it.”

“You saw it with your own eyes, and you can believe what you see,” said Rodgers.

Talks about some of the jury instructions regarding “use of force” and when an officer is going to arrest someone. “Totality of circumstances” isn’t what defense witnesses want you to believe. “He knew she wasn’t dangerous. He knew he wasn’t arresting her.

Defendant claims shooting was justified. Explains definitions of justified and not justified.

“Officer-created jeopardy.” “Just because he’s wearing a uniform doesn’t mean he gets to use deadly force.”

We have a lot of great officers, but what we don’t expect them to do is “create dangerous situations.”

“She has made it abundantly clear…she doesn’t want a part of it.” But Grayson advances and shoots three times. Massey isn’t the initial aggressor. She says “I’m sorry” and he has no legal right to go into her kitchen where she was hiding. He had no right to follow her and shoot her.

Going over “propositions for first degree murder. She believed under the three propositions murder is charged, the second is justified under any circumstance. All three propositions can be justified.

“Sonya didn’t threaten him. At no point in time did she do anything to make him scared.” She may have made him angry, but she was not a threat.

She did not provoke Grayson. “He had no legal right to follow her into her kitchen and shoot her. All she had done was comply.” Use of force was “unreasonable.”

“The evidence shows that the defendant murdered Sonya Massey.”

“When you threaten to shoot someone in the face, someone who has done nothing to you…that’s first degree murder.”

8:43am: If the jury wants to watch body camera video during deliberations, they will have to come back in to the room and the courtroom will be closed to the public, while it’s believed the judge and attorneys will have to remain silent. But that issue will be further reviewed.

8:30am:  Outside the presence of the jury, jury instructions are being reviewed.