PEORIA ( 25News Now ) - Following the controversial verdict in former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sean Grayson’s murder trial, the Peoria NAACP President said he shares Sonya Massey’s family’s disappointment.

“I can only imagine what they are feeling. Everyone saw the video,” Peoria NAACP President Pastor Marvin Hightower said. “This was their loved one, daughter, sister, mother, aunt, cousin, a family member who was brutally shot down on camera.”

After an eight-day trial, Grayson was convicted of second degree murder by the jury on Wednesday afternoon for the shooting death of Massey on July 6, 2024.

Massey’s family was disappointed with the verdict , saying he deserved the first degree murder conviction.

Hightower said he believes the video evidence and witness testi

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