PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) -- Looking at the totality of the circumstances, Sean Grayson made several tactically "unsound" decisions leading up to the deadly shooting of Sonya Massey.

And he didn't see or didn't act on several signs that the Springfield woman was having mental or cognitive issues.

That's the opinion of a University of South Carolina law professor who is an expert in police tactics and also the use of force. He was the opening witness on day five of Grayson's murder trial.

Grayson is accused of murder as Sangamon County prosecutors believe he acted improperly. For his part, Grayson argues he was acting in self-defense as he feared being scalded by a pot of boiling water held by Massey.

But Seth Stoughton said Grayson's own actions escalated things.

Seth Stoughton, is also the

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