No medical release for Sean Grayson

Former Sangamon County Deputy and convicted murderer Sean Grayson will remain in prison after a panel from the Illinois Prisoner Review Board voted unanimously Friday to deny his request for early medical release.

The three-member panel voted 3-0 to deny Grayson’s petition following a public hearing in which no one spoke in favor of his release. Grayson and his attorneys did not attend.

Grayson was convicted of second-degree murder in October 2025 and sentenced in January to the maximum 20 years in prison for fatally shooting Sonya Massey inside her Springfield-area home on July 6, 2024. Massey, a 36-year-old Black mother of two, had called 911 to report a possible prowler before Grayson and another deputy responded to her home.

Grayson sought release under Illinois’ medical-release law because he has advanced colon cancer that has spread to his liver and lungs.

Throughout Friday’s hearing, Massey’s relatives argued Grayson’s medical condition had already been considered during sentencing and urged the board to require him to serve his prison term.

“No one is above the law,” said Sontae Massey, Sonya Massey’s cousin.

He told board members Grayson had shown no remorse during his criminal trial and said releasing him after only a short time in prison would undermine the jury’s verdict and the sentence imposed by Sangamon County Circuit Judge Ryan Cadagin.

“The only thing to do is deny this murderer the comforts of his home and a warm bed while Sonya was given the coldness of the soil,” Sontae Massey said.

He also argued the intent of Illinois’ compassionate release law should not apply in Grayson’s case because of the severity of the crime.

“We deserve justice,” he said. “Ensure that this precedent reverberates throughout the nation by denying this murderer the loophole that he desires to utilize. Make him serve his sentence.”

Sonya Massey’s son, Malachi Hill-Massey, also urged the board to reject the petition, saying Grayson had multiple alternatives to using deadly force.

“He killed my mom,” Hill-Massey said. “There were so many things that could’ve happened differently in that situation.”

Hill-Massey said Grayson could have backed away, used pepper spray or a Taser, or attempted to take control of the pot of boiling water rather than shooting his mother. Seconds before being shot, Massey rebuked Grayson in the name of Jesus.

“He’s been in there for nine months. Now he (is) ready to go,” he said. “It’s not time for him to go.”

James Wilburn, Sonya’s father, told board members the sentencing judge had already taken Grayson’s medical condition into account before imposing the maximum sentence allowed for second-degree murder.

“Judge Cadagin did that, and he gave him the complete 20-year sentence that he had the capability of giving him,” Wilburn said.

Wilburn rejected arguments that Grayson should be allowed to spend his final days with family because of his illness.

“My baby didn’t have a chance to die amongst her family and friends,” he said.

He also argued Grayson’s release would further traumatize the family and the Springfield community.

“Please do not let this killer on your streets here in Sangamon County again,” Wilburn said.

Wilburn hinted that a vote to release Grayson could trigger violence.

 ”This nation is in a powder keg right now,” he said. “It’s because of what’s been happening to our young men. We’ve had three of our young men killed recently, and we’re looking for answers as it concerns those matters. I think this country is on the brink, and today this distinguished board has the opportunity to right the wrong that’s been done to this family.”

Donna Massey, Sonya Massey’s mother, described her daughter as a bright student and devoted mother who battled lupus, ulcerative colitis and end-stage kidney disease while maintaining a positive outlook.

“Sonya was smart,” Donna Massey said. “She was an honor student from kindergarten all the way up to 12th grade every year.”

She recounted her daughter’s mental health crisis in the days before the shooting and said family members had repeatedly sought help.

Donna Massey questioned why Grayson should receive compassion after killing her daughter.

“Letting Sean Grayson out in nine months for a 20-year sentence for compassion?” she said. “Where’s the compassion he gave to Sonya?”

She added,  ”He’s a menace to society. He should not be walking around. He hates God, he hates the name of Jesus, and he hates Black people. And he will kill you if you say ‘Jesus.’ And he’ll kill you if you’re Black, (if) he gets a chance where you turn your head. He should not be walking around.”

Outside the hearing, supporters of the Massey family also urged the board to reject Grayson’s petition.

Sarah Blanco, a member of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, said granting medical release would be inconsistent with how Illinois typically handles compassionate release cases.

“There are far too many people who are dying in prison who really do meet the criteria for medical release who are not getting out,” Blanco said. “It would be a great miscarriage of justice if this killer cop got out while they don’t.”

Blanco argued Grayson had already received a lesser conviction than many people believed was warranted.

“I think most people in Springfield agree he really should have gotten first-degree murder, really should be spending more than 20 years in prison,” she said. “It would send the wrong message to other cops if he were to get out just six months after sentencing.”

Blanco said the case highlighted broader systemic issues beyond Grayson’s actions.

“It’s not just about one cop,” she said. “It’s about a culture of impunity that’s been a problem across the country for decades, in Springfield in particular, in Sangamon County in particular, with the corrupt hiring practices that allowed him to be a cop in the first place.”

She also called for greater investment in mental health services, saying such resources “would’ve actually helped Sonya Massey.”

Following the testimony, board members Rodger Heaton, Robin Shoffner and Jared Bohland recessed into closed session for about 10 minutes to deliberate. They returned and voted publicly to deny Grayson’s request for medical release.

The board announced the decision in open session but did not provide a detailed public explanation before voting. Grayson will remain in custody to continue serving his 20-year sentence. The Illinois Department of Corrections has not disclosed where Grayson is serving time, whether it is an Illinois facility or out-of-state, citing security concerns.