PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — “Say her Name,” was the empathic mantra of more than 30 people who gathered outside the Becker Building on Wednesday to denounce the second-degree murder verdict for Sean Grayson.
Clearly upset with the verdict and stating repeatedly they believed the former Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy was guilty of first-degree murder, Sonya Massey’s family spoke to dozens of reporters and supporters.
Emotions ran high — Massey’s 16-year-old daughter refused to speak at the press conference and disappeared into the crowd. People carried signs, dressed in purple and demanded criminal justice reform in the name of the Springfield woman.
Grayson’s family was nowhere to be found. They were escorted out of the room shortly after the verdict was read and disappeared.
The family walked from the Peoria County Courthouse, where, at about 2:30 p.m., the guilty verdicts were read aloud. They were flanked by local supporters as well as people who came in from Springfield and St. Louis.
WMBD TV can be reached at News@WJBC.com.
