An Illinois appellate court has ruled that former deputy sheriff Sean Grayson should be released from jail pending his murder trial for the shooting of Sonya Massey. Grayson faces first-degree murder charges after shooting Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman, on July 6, 2023, after she called 911.
The 4th District Appellate Court overturned a previous ruling that had kept Grayson in jail, stating prosecutors did not provide enough evidence to justify detention. The court found that conditions could be set to ensure his release without posing a danger to the community.
Justice Eugene Doherty, who wrote the opinion, criticized the focus on Grayson’s actions during the shooting. He stated that while Grayson’s conduct may be reprehensible, it should not be the basis for pretrial detention.
The court has ordered a hearing to determine conditions for Grayson’s release. His next court appearance is set for Monday.
Grayson, 30, is accused of killing Massey after an exchange during a welfare check. The case has sparked national attention as an example of police violence against Black individuals in their homes.
