Generated

Illinois Prisoner Review Board denies medical release for Sean Grayson after fatal shooting of Sonya Massey

The Illinois Prisoner Review Board unanimously voted to deny the medical release application of Sean Grayson, a former sheriff's deputy who was convicted of second-degree murder for the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey. Grayson, who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence, requested early release under the Joe Coleman Act due to his Stage 4 colon cancer. Although a medical professional deemed his condition incurable and predicted he would likely die within 18 months, the board determined that his cancer does not prevent him from performing daily living tasks independently. Sangamon County State's Attorney John C. Milhiser opposed the release, arguing that Grayson remains a danger to society due to his temper and willingness to escalate minor misunderstandings into fatal encounters. Milhiser noted that Grayson was already diagnosed with cancer before the murder and that the sentencing judge had already considered his medical condition. The Massey family also expressed strong opposition to the release, with Sonya Massey's mother, Donna Massey, stating that Grayson should remain behind bars as a menace to society. Grayson's own handwritten request showed little remorse, claiming that Sonya Massey attacked him with a pot of boiling water before he fired three shots at her.

Sources