Ex-Deputy Convicted of Killing Sonya Massey Dies in Prison

Sean Grayson, 32, died Sunday in prison, his attorney Daniel Fultz confirmed. Grayson had been serving a 20-year sentence for the second-degree murder of Sonya Massey.

• Grayson was convicted in October and sentenced in January to the maximum 20 years.
• His cancer had spread to his liver and lungs by sentencing, attorneys said.
• The Illinois Prisoner Review Board denied his medical release request last month.
• Deputy Dawson Farley testified he did not view Massey as a threat.

Why it matters: The shooting and conviction drove concrete legal changes. Illinois passed the Sonya Massey Act, tightening background checks on officer applicants.

• The Justice Department reached an agreement with Sangamon County requiring new police training and a mobile crisis response program.

How 32 sources split on this story

What’s next: The federal policing agreement with Sangamon County remains in force and continues to be carried out.

• The Sonya Massey Act's officer-hiring requirements remain Illinois law.
• What was the cause of Grayson's death? His attorney declined to provide details.
• How will Massey's family and advocates respond to Grayson's death before completing his sentence?