Former Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson was found guilty of second-degree murder on Wednesday (October 29) in the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old unarmed Black woman who had called 911 for help in July 2024, per CBS News.

Grayson was initially facing three counts of first-degree murder, aggravated battery, and official misconduct in Massey’s death. A 12-person jury, composed of nine women and three men, including one Black juror, was given the option of convicting Grayson of second-degree murder. The jury found him not guilty on all three counts of first-degree murder.

The former deputy was facing up to life in prison if convicted of first-degree murder. Grayson’s conviction for second-degree murder could mean no time behind bars.

During Grayson’s trial, prose

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