Illinois
Trial begins for former Illinois deputy accused of killing Sonya Massey
The trial of a former Illinois deputy who is accused of killing Sonya Massey began on Monday in Peoria, Illinois.
Massey, a Black 36-year-old mother of two, was fatally shot in July 2024 after calling authorities to her Springfield home over concerns about a prowler, officials said. Body camera footage shows two deputies responding to the incident, including then-Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson.
Grayson, who is white, shot Massey three times, saying in a report written after the incident that he feared bodily harm because she was holding a pot of boiling water and said, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.”
Almost two weeks after Massey’s killing, Grayson was fired and charged with three counts of first-degree murder, one count of aggravated battery, and one count of official misconduct. He pleaded not guilty and was held in jail pending trial.
Grayson’s trial started on Monday morning with a jury selection. No cameras were allowed in the courtroom, and the trial is expected to last for one to two weeks.
The case ignited a national firestorm, prompting protesters across the country to call for justice for Massey, who suffered from mental health issues, according to her family. In February, Sangamon County officials agreed to pay a $10 million settlement to Massey’s family, a step their attorney, Ben Crump, called “only the first step in the journey for justice.”
In April, a judge granted a venue change for the trial from Sangamon County to Peoria after receiving a request from defense attorneys who said media coverage and the nature of the case have “shaped public perception, making it difficult to separate fact from speculation,” NBC Chicago reported.
A group of people gathered for a rally outside the Peoria County Courthouse on Monday morning, holding signs calling for justice for Massey. One sign read: “Unite Now Against Racist Violence.”
“No justice, no peace. Prosecute the police, ” the crowd chanted.
Keri Hayes, the racial justice committee chairwoman for the American Civil Liberties Union in Peoria, was one of the handful of people outside the courthouse.
“I really feel like it was a senseless slaying that happened, and I really want to see the police being held accountable,” she told NBC News.
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These real estate transactions, recorded the week of October 6, are compiled from information on file with Peoria, Tazewell and Woodford counties. They represent sales of $78,000 or more.
PEORIA COUNTY
1211 N. Ellis St., Peoria: River City Venture LLC to Phylisa Bliss, $93,000.
6538 N. Allen Road, #75, Peoria: Stephen Jennings to McKenzie K. Norris and Shakil Mendoza, $95,000.
226 W. Clinton St., Brimfield: Jennifer Miller Bays to Andrew M. Bays, $110,000.
5524 N. Big Hollow Road, Peoria: Kevin D. and Amanda J. Ford to Ryan W. Blackorby, $117,000.
4005 S. Chalmers Ave., Bartonville: Luke E. Schmidt to Stanley Beck, $117,500.
313 N. Trivoli Road, Trivoli: Kristy L. Nichols to Mark J. Hayes, $125,000.
1512 W. Shenandoah Drive, Peoria: Sherry L. Leadley to Daniel and Jeffrey Nagel, $125,000.
5017 N. Isabell Ave., Peoria: Damon C. Deal to Jason C. Baas, $130,000.
513 N. Galena Ave., Brimfield: Keith and Jo Ann Gargiulo to Bobette Emerick, $143,000.
3829 W. Brighton Ave., Peoria: Carilla F. Cox Wikoff and Delanie F. Rhoades to Shalia R. Davis, $146,500.
5116 N. Hamilton Road, Peoria: Ryan and Hailey Norbom to Kendall Moser, $147,000.
3510 N. Kingston Drive, #24, Peoria: John R. McCabe to Daryl Abangan, $149,000.
1501 E. Terrace View Lane, Peoria Heights: Brian J. Monge to Esther C. Sanders, $153,000.
812 W. Cedar Point Court, Bartonville: David A. Simmons and Carol S. Paul to James R. and Rebecca S. Kirk, $155,000.
2607 W. Westport Road, Peoria: Lana S. Pasco to Michael D. Smith, $159,900.
13014 N. Crater Lane, Dunlap: Bank of New York Mellon to Legacy Build LLC, $180,000.
518 W. Ridgemont Road, Peoria: Kyle A. and Haley A. Freiburger to Susan Connors, $185,000.
6811 N. Kickapoo-Edwards Road, Edwards: Shawn and Mandy Bay to Custom Underground Inc., $190,000.
5004 N. University St., Peoria: Gary L., Patrick A. and Roger A. Nichting to 5004 N University LLC, $225,000.
505 N. Fairgrouds Way, Elmwood: Tyler J. and Tabitha Moss to Anthony P. and Jill R. Dodaro, $270,000.
1518 W. Grandridge Drive, Dunlap: Mohammadnour Alsaleh and Reema N.A. Alzghoul to Kevin Ethridge, $290,000.
13625 N, Dover Lane, Chillicothe: Lee E. Braun to Jordan and Mitchell Ryan, $329,500.
1313 N. Institute Place, Peoria: Winterlude R. Walker to James A. and Mila Sorce, $330,000.
526 W. Aspen Way, Peoria: Sarah R. Glover to Frederic G. Halabi and Beauty Hitti, $369,000.
8205 W. First St., Mapleton: Shawn and Jennifer Hoerr to Shannon M. and Amy C. Bikai, $369,000.
2627 W. Lake Pointe Terrace, Peoria: James M. and Barbara J. Sumner and Ryan M. Wyss to Paige Johnson, $500,000.
2902 W. Wessex Drive, Peoria: Robert C. and Elizabeth Stewart to Dylan and Justine Sharp, $517,000.
4415 W. Longmeadow Court, Peoria: Henry C. and Jill A. Vicary to Matthew Wahrenburg and Jenelle S. Gray, $700,500.
11425 N. Stone Creek Drive, Dunlap: Vamsi Chennamsetty and Sai S. Gutti to Ashwin A. and Trupti S. Hattiangadi, $756,000.
TAZEWELL COUNTY
449 & 457 Mossy Trail, Morton: Trails at Timber Oaks LLC to Amre Design Build LLC, $80,000.
1513 Loretta St., Pekin: Tammy M. Taylor to Lynn A. Fussell, $90,000.
923 Charlotte St., Pekin: Lacey M. Goodin to Mark A. Williams Jr., $95,000.
304 Meyers St., South Pekin: Lisa and Rick K. Farrell to Damion S. Cassidy Arbuckle, $100,000.
700 W. 5th St., Delavan: Lloyd G. Holmes to Caleb T. Waggoner, $120,000.
123 Callender Ave., East Peoria: Charles E. and Tonya R. Stevens to Orville Stevens, $121,900.
214 & 234 Sapp St., Pekin, 1329 S. 6th St., Pekin, 104 Oliver St., North Pekin, and 106 Charlotte St., Pekin: Steven N. Pilcher to Bob Starr Construction LLC, $125,000.
13710 State Route 29, Pekin: Hannah Roberts Norman and Brandon and Kyle Roberts to Leah Royer, $132,500
910 Chestnut St., Pekin: James and Julie Estes to Gary and Melinda Vasquez, $137,000.
1117 N. 16th St., Pekin: Bradley D. and Rebecca E. Von Der Heide to Jessica Campbell, $139,000.
1425 Arthur St., Pekin: Anna M. Simpson to Ryan W. Cargill Jr., $146,000.
1407 Koch St., Pekin: Brayden Beckham and Joshua Bresnahan to Donna Piro, $149,900.
240 Park Road, Creve Coeur: Blayde Properties LLC to Shelly Thompson, $168,000.
602 Joliet Road, Marquette Heights: Kimberly L. Rogers to Robert Morgan, $180,000.
212 S. Monroe St., Mackinaw: Anthony Czop to Kristen A. and Mark E. Moore, $180,000.
14 Meadowbrook Lane, Morton: Anthony C. and Jason R. McCartney to Charles E. and Margaret E. Pfahl, $234,000.
1114 Bloomington Road, East Peoria: Brian M. and Sarah J. Woolard to Shirley L. Page, $243,000.
323 S. Chestnut St., Tremont: Brent A. and Renee J. Eichelberger to Taylor J. and Jordan M. Gaither, $248,000.
147 Justice Drive, East Peoria: Eric Johnson to Christopher and Ericka Hall, $248,000.
930 E. Jackson St., Morton: Charles E. and Margaret E. Pfahl to Brad and Mary Rohman, $255,000.
1429 Eagle Ave., Washington: Rita Nygren to David and Jamie Marks, $258,000.
200 Kickapoo Drive, East Peoria: Melania and Shawn E. Tucker to Andrew and Michelle Burks, $272,000.
1912 Deer Lane, Washington: Carl E. and Jennifer R. Anderson to Amy L. and James D. Bradshaw, $280,000.
1022 Audobon Drive, Pekin: Julie K. Mcelwee to Cheryl D. Ivey, $319,900.
612 Fondulac Drive, East Peoria: Charity N. and Russell Cowger to Courtney Dial and Nicholas D. Rissler, $365,000.
20708 Long Road, Delavan: James W. and Nancy R. Mulcahy to Tammy R. Schielein, $398,000.
418 Garnet Drive, Morton: James A. Barlow to Cartus Financial Corporation, $465,000.
418 Garnet Drive, Morton: Cartus Financial Corporation to Andrea and Tony Skinner, $465,000.
360 York Ave., Morton: Armstrong Builders Inc. to Jacie M. and Zachary B. Glisan, $559,000.
WOODFORD COUNTY
111 Maple Ave., Minonk: Tyler Lindsay to Tom Trunnell, $110,000.
305 First St., Congerville: Dwight J. Sloter to Kaleb M. Merritt and Sarah K. Hartman, $150,000.
1445 Spring Bay Road, East Peoria: Brad L. and Mary Rohman to Jeff and Melissa Ricketts, $225,000.
47 Bruce Rich Lane, East Peoria: Brad L., Mary and Dennis M. Rohman to Jeff and Melissa Ricketts, $255,000.
702 Mayfair Court, Germantown HIlls: Thomas R. and Joyce A. Boyd to Peter T. Guindon and Thomas R. Heitz, $560,000.
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