News

Sonya’s cousin: “I am just ready to get the trial started.”

Sonya’s cousin: “I am just ready to get the trial started.”

Photo: Saga Communications


Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Later this month, the only opinions which matter will be those of the twelve jurors.

For now, though, loved ones of Sonya Massey hope the jurors see it the way they do when bodycam video is played before them. Sontae Massey and Teresa Haley (pictured, l-r) reacted after Thursday’s final pretrial hearing for Sean Grayson, the then-Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy who claims self-defense in killing Massey July 6, 2024.

‘I am glad that (the defense) decided to go with a jury trial, as opposed to a bench trial,” said Haley. “I think the community and the world wants to see this played out.”

“I am just ready to get the trial started,” said Sontae Massey, Sonya’s cousin. “It’s been an exhausting year, and I’m just ready.”

Attorneys for both sides Thursday confirmed to Judge Ryan Cadigan that there has been no discussion of a plea, negotiated or otherwise. Under a bench trial, the judge – and not a jury – would decide the defendant’s guilt or innocence.

Grayson said he fatally shot Massey out of fear that she would throw a pan of hot water at him.

The trial is being held in Peoria because of the amount of publicity in Springfield.

Recent Headlines

9 hours ago in Entertainment, Music

Rush announce reunion tour five years after the death of drummer Neil Peart

Five years after their influential drummer and lyricist Neil Peart died of glioblastoma, the Canadian band Rush have announced a reunion tour.

16 hours ago in Entertainment, Trending

Bad Bunny kicks off ‘SNL’ 51st season with a group of new faces and jabs at his Super Bowl critics

Bad Bunny kicked off the 51st season of "Saturday Night Live" with a few timely jokes about his next high-profile gig: the Super Bowl.

17 hours ago in Entertainment

‘The Walking Dead’ comes alive in auction for 15-year anniversary

The eerie zombies from "The Walking Dead" first stepped into viewers' living rooms on Halloween nearly 15 years ago, unknowingly ushering in a new era for the horror genre. Fans are getting a chance to own some of the franchise's most coveted items.