Sean Grayson, a former Illinois sheriff’s deputy, was convicted Wednesday of second-degree murder in the 2024 death of Sonya Massey , a Black mother of two who had called 911 about a possible prowler.

Grayson was charged with first-degree murder, but jury instructions included the option to convict him of the lesser charge of second-degree murder.

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Jurors deliberated for about 11 hours after closing arguments ended late Tuesday morning. Grayson’s family cried and held hands as the verdict was read.

Former federal prosecutor Mark Chutkow said the defense made a "strategic decision" to include the second-degree murder charge.

"The prosecution likely felt confident about their case and was willing to go for an all

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