Illinois prison board denies early medical release for former deputy convicted of killing Sonya Massey

The Illinois Prisoner Review Board voted unanimously on Friday to deny former sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson an early medical release from his 20-year sentence for the 2024 killing of Sonya Massey. Grayson, who was diagnosed with colon cancer that has spread to his liver and lungs, filed the request six months into his term.

Grayson was convicted in October of second-degree murder after body-camera footage showed him entering Massey’s Springfield home and shooting the 36-year-old mother in the face while she was moving a pot of hot water. He received the maximum sentence of 20 years in January.

"To release Grayson under these circumstances would be a miscarriage of justice, and an insult to Sonya Massey’s memory and family," Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser wrote in a letter opposing the release.

Attorneys for Massey’s family, Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci, said the board’s decision was correct, adding that no one is above accountability.

Governor J.B. Pritzker noted that Illinois law requires the board to consider medical release requests and described Massey’s death as a profound loss, emphasizing the need for justice for innocent victims.

Grayson’s attorney declined to comment on the board’s ruling.