SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The legal team representing an Illinois sheriff’s deputy charged with fatally shooting an unarmed woman last month laid out their plans Monday to appeal pre-trial detention order to the appellate court.
Since being arrested in July, Sean Grayson has been held in jail, and the Sangamon County judge has rejected two attempts to get him released pending his full trial.
Grayson is charged with the murder of Sonya Massey, who called 911 to her home on July 6th for reports of a prowler. Grayson responded to the call, but ended up shooting Massey after she moved a pot of boiling water from her stove.
Grayson’s attorneys on Monday also discussed a batch of new evidence that Sangamon County prosecutors are handing over soon, although that evidence will not be entered into the public record until the trial.
“That’s obviously going to take a period of time to receive, review and then to confer with Mr. Grayson in regards to that,” said defense attorney Mark Wykoff. “So really, what happened today is nothing different than what’s going to happen all day long in this courthouse.”
The court room was packed with members of Massey’s family and their supporters. They said after the hearing that they intend to keep showing up.
“We’re here for court. We’re here for the kids. We’re here for Sonya Massey. We’re here every day,” Shadia Massey, Sonya’s cousin said. “Every time we walk in this building, every sentient grace in this. Scheduled for court, you will see the Massey family.”
Grayson’s next court appearance was scheduled for Oct. 21.