Article Summary

Opening statements were delivered Wednesday in the trial of former deputy Sean Grayson, who is accused of murder in the shooting death of Sonya Massey.

Prosecutors dropped lesser charges Monday but are proceeding with the murder case.

The trial began with testimony from lead Illinois State Police investigator in the officer-involved shooting.

This summary was written by the reporters and editors who worked on the story.

PEORIA — Prosecutors and defense attorneys agree that Sean Grayson fatally shot Sonya Massey in her Sangamon County kitchen on July 6, 2024, after she called to report a prowler.

But the crux of the murder case against Grayson is whether he feared for his and his fellow deputy’s lives when he fired a shot that struck and killed Massey.

Dan Fultz, Gray

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