Nationwide — The homicide trial of former Illinois sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson, accused of killing an unarmed African American girl named Sonya Massey in her residence final July, can be relocated from town of Springfield to town of Peoria. A decide just lately permitted the change, citing issues about media affect and public opinion within the capital metropolis.
Grayson, 30, is charged with first-degree homicide for the July 6, 2024, taking pictures of Sonya Massey, 36. Massey had referred to as 911 to report a suspected prowler at her Springfield residence when Grayson, responding to the decision, fatally shot her. The case has gained nationwide consideration as one other instance of police violence towards unarmed Black people.
In accordance with the Related Press, Grayson’s attorneys argued that native protection, public protests, and a $10 million settlement between Sangamon County and Massey’s household had created a biased setting. They claimed it could be laborious to seek out an neutral jury within the space as a consequence of robust opinions in regards to the case.
Choose Ryan Cadagin agreed, and the trial will now be held in Peoria, a close-by metropolis about 73 miles north of Springfield. Prosecutors didn’t oppose the transfer.
Activists and Massey’s household have been current at each court docket listening to. After the ruling, native activist Teresa Haley stated, “Location doesn’t change the result. He assassinated her, and I believe anyone in America will agree that he must be sentenced to life, in order that’s what we’re going for.”
The decide agreed, and the trial will now happen in Peoria, a close-by metropolis with an analogous inhabitants dimension. Regardless of a state appellate court docket ruling that Grayson must be launched below new bond guidelines, he stays in custody whereas the case is below evaluate by the state Supreme Court docket.
A listening to has been set for April 23 to schedule the trial date. Grayson appeared in court docket briefly in jail apparel, drawing a response from Massey’s cousin, who discovered his demeanor unsettling.
This comes a number of weeks after Massey’s household reached a $10 million settlement with Sangamon County, the biggest civil rights payout within the county’s historical past.
