Supporters of Sonya Massey carried signs demanding justice as the trial of her accused killer, former Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson got underway Monday morning at the Peoria County Courthouse.

National publicity surrounding the case forced a change of venue from Springfield, Illinois where the August 2024 shooting occurred.

Grayson is charged with the murder of the unarmed mother of two after she called authorities over concerns about a prowler outside her home. When officers arrived, the situation deteriorated.

Grayson can be seen on bodycam video reaching for his gun after Massey, who her family said struggled with her mental health, went behind a counter to tend to a pot of boiling water. After the shooting, Grayson can be heard to say he was afraid that Massey was ab

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