The funeral of Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old single mother allegedly shot by a Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy, drew about 200 people, including renowned civil rights attorney Ben Crump. Crump stated that the body-worn camera footage of Massey’s death, scheduled for release on July 22, will shock the nation. Massey’s father expressed dismay over the deputy being hired despite red flags in his past. The deputy, Sean Grayson, has been charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery, and official misconduct. Crump described the police video as senseless and unjustifiable, comparing it to high-profile deaths of Black individuals like George Floyd and Laquan McDonald.
Grayson, who has pleaded not guilty, was fired by the sheriff’s department on July 17 after being indicted by a grand jury. While Grayson had no use-of-force complaints in Sangamon County, he had two DUI convictions and had worked at multiple police departments since 2020. State law does not automatically disqualify individuals with misdemeanor DUI convictions from being hired as police officers.
Massey’s father called for the resignation of Sheriff Jack Campbell, voicing concerns about lowered standards in law enforcement. Local officials expressed a commitment to reform hiring practices and policies to prevent similar incidents in the future. Civil rights leaders and community members are seeking justice for Massey and pushing for accountability in law enforcement.
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