Sonya Massey trial day 1 recap: Sheriff’s deputy who fired fatal shot told partner not to give aid
The first day of testimony has ended in the trial of ex-sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson, who faces murder charges for fatally shooting a Black woman in her Illinois home after she called 911 for help.
Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old single mother of two teenagers, called emergency responders on July 6, 2024, over a suspected prowler on her property in Springfield. Grayson, a Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy at the time, responded to the scene with his partner, Dawson Farley. Body camera footage shows Grayson firing at Massey after telling her to drop a pot of hot water.
Farley testified Wednesday that he went to retrieve a first aid kit after the shooting, but Grayson told him it wasn’t necessary because Massey had been shot in the head, according to WAND News. Farley also testified that he did not feel afraid of Massey and did not think she would hurt him, WICS reports.
Grayson yawned multiple times as body camera footage of the shooting was played in court, according to WICS. Meanwhile, members of Massey’s family cried, and some left the courtroom.
Grayson, who is white, has pleaded not guilty to three counts of first-degree murder. If convicted, he faces a sentence of 45 years to life in prison.
Recap: First day of testimony ends in Sean Grayson’s trial
The first day of testimony has ended in the murder trial of Sean Grayson, an ex-sheriff’s deputy who fatally shot Sonya Massey in her Springfield, Illinois, home last year after she called 911 about a potential prowler.
After opening statements, several witnesses testified Wednesday, including Illinois State Police investigator Eric Weston, who said he reviewed the scene and the body camera footage. Sangamon County Dispatcher Kathryn Barton also testified about Massey’s 911 call.
Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Dawson Farley, who responded to Massey’s home with Grayson, also took the stand.
Farley testified that he went to retrieve a first aid kit after the shooting, but Grayson told him it wasn’t necessary because Massey had been shot in the head, according to WAND News. Farley also testified that he did not feel afraid of Massey and did not think she would hurt him, WICS reports.
The defense noted that Farley originally wrote in his report that he drew his weapon because he was concerned about the boiling water Massey was holding, WAND News reports. Farley later clarified his report and said he drew his weapon “out of fear from the defendant’s actions.”
The audio of Massey’s 911 call, as well as the body camera footage from the shooting, played in court today. Grayson yawned multiple times as the body camera footage played, while some members of Massey’s family cried and left the courtroom, WISC reports.
Grayson has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder charges. The trial began earlier this week with jury selection. The jury is made up of nine white women, two white men and one Black man. The alternate jurors are two white men and one white woman.
Grayson’s trial will continue on Thursday morning at 9 a.m. local time.
Katie Hawkinson22 October 2025 21:51
Coverage paused
Court has adjourned for the day, and this live blog is now paused.
Sean Grayson’s trial will continue Thursday morning at 9 a.m.
Katie Hawkinson22 October 2025 22:04
Retired chief deputy said Sean Grayson violated department policies
Retired chief deputy Anthony Mayfield testified today that he determined ex-sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson violated several policies.
Mayfield said these included use of force and medical response policies, according to WICS.
Katie Hawkinson22 October 2025 21:21
Former chief deputy takes the stand
Anthony Mayfield, a retired chief deputy for the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Department, is now on the stand.
Mayfield was the chief sheriff’s deputy when Sonya Massey was killed.
Katie Hawkinson22 October 2025 21:11
Sonya Massey’s mother in tears after body camera footage played in court
Sonya Massey’s mother, Donna Massey, is crying and being consoled by her family after the body camera footage was played in court.
While it played, Donna Massey buried her head and covered her eyes, WICS reports.
Katie Hawkinson22 October 2025 21:01
Grayson’s body camera footage plays
Sean Grayson’s body camera footage is now playing in court.
The footage begins when Grayson drew his weapon.
After shooting Massey, the footage shows Grayson dropping his medical bag on her living room floor and saying, “I’m not even going to waste my med stuff then,” according to WICS. His partner, Dawson Farley, described that moment earlier today.
Katie Hawkinson22 October 2025 20:46
Grayson reacts as body cam footage played in court
The body camera footage that shows Sean Grayson shooting Sonya Massey is now playing in court.
Grayson yawned several times while watching, WICS reports. At one point, he leaned forward and looked between the ground and the screen.
Grayson didn’t watch as the footage showed him shouting at Massey to drop the pot of hot water, per WICS. Members of Massey’s family cried as the footage showed Grayson’s partner, Dawson Farley, holding a rag to her gunshot wound.
Katie Hawkinson22 October 2025 20:27
Body camera footage plays in court
Footage from the body camera worn by Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Dawson Farley is now being played in court.
Katie Hawkinson22 October 2025 20:09
Sonya Massey’s cousin left courtroom in tears
Sonya Massey’s cousin left the courtroom in tears today as Sean Grayson’s partner, Dawson Farley, testified, according to WICS.
Katie Hawkinson22 October 2025 20:01
Defense cross-examines Grayson’s partner
Defense attorney Daniel Fultz is cross-examining Dawson Farley, who responded to Sonya Massey’s home alongside Sean Grayson.
Fultz pointed out that Farley filed an initial report about the incident on July 9, 2024, but reached out to the Illinois State Police to amend the report a month later, on August 6, local outlet WICS reports. Grayson was indicted on July 17.
Earlier, Farley said he wanted to clarify that Massey wasn’t holding the pot of hot water at chest level, according to WAND News. Farley said he also initially reported that he drew his gun because he was worried about Massey, but later clarified that he drew his gun “out of fear from the defendant’s actions.”
Katie Hawkinson22 October 2025 19:56
