Cop's testimony, judge's instructions influenced outcome of Sonya Massey murder case

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The killing of in her home by an Illinois sheriff's deputy was pursued by prosecutors as a first-degree murder case with a possible life prison sentence. Then the judge gave the jury another option when deliberations began this week.

Sean Grayson was , a lesser charge with less severe consequences. Massey's family was outraged by the verdict. The Black woman's supporters called it the wrong dose of justice, noting she was deliberately shot in the face by a white police officer in her own kitchen.