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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — <\/span>The former Illinois sheriff’s deputy convicted of second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey<\/a>, a Black woman who called 911 to request help, is scheduled to be sentenced Thursday. <\/p>\n Sean Grayson, 31, was convicted in October<\/a>. Grayson, who is white, could be sentenced to as much as 20 years in prison but also is eligible for probation. He has been incarcerated<\/a> since he was charged in the killing.<\/p>\n In the early morning hours of July 6, 2024, Massey \u2014 who struggled with mental health issues \u2014 summoned emergency responders because she feared there was a prowler outside her Springfield home. <\/p>\n According to body camera footage<\/a>, Grayson and sheriff\u2019s Deputy Dawson Farley, who was not charged, searched Massey’s yard before meeting her at her door. Massey appeared confused and repeatedly said, \u201cPlease, God.\u201d <\/p>\n The deputies entered her house, Grayson noticed the pot on the stove and ordered Farley to move it. Instead, Massey went to the stove, retrieved the pot and teased Grayson for moving away from \u201cthe hot, steaming water.\u201d<\/p>\n From this moment, the exchange quickly escalated.<\/p>\n Massey said: \u201cI rebuke you in the name of Jesus.\u201d <\/p>\n Grayson drew his sidearm and yelled at her to drop the pan. She set the pot down and ducked behind a counter. But she appeared to pick it up again. <\/p>\n That’s when Grayson opened fire on the 36-year-old single mother, shooting her in the face.<\/a> He testified that he feared Massey would scald him.<\/p>\n Grayson was charged with three counts of first-degree murder, which could have led to a life sentence, but a jury convicted him of the lesser charge. Illinois allows for a second-degree murder conviction if evidence shows the defendant honestly thought he was in danger,<\/a> even if that fear was unreasonable. <\/p>\n Massey’s family was outraged by the jury’s decision. <\/p>\n \u201cThe justice system did exactly what it\u2019s designed to do today. It\u2019s not meant for us,\u201d her cousin Sontae Massey said after the verdict.<\/p>\n Massey\u2019s killing raised new questions about U.S. law enforcement shootings of Black people in their homes<\/a>. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump negotiated a $10 million settlement<\/a> with Sangamon County for Massey’s relatives. <\/p>\n The case also generated a U.S. Justice Department inquiry<\/a> that was settled when the county agreed to implement more de-escalation training; collect more use-of-force data; and forced the sheriff<\/a> who hired Grayson to retire. The case also prompted a change in Illinois law requiring fuller transparency<\/a> on the backgrounds of candidates<\/a> for law enforcement jobs. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n