By WMBD & WCIA TV
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Sean Grayson’s application for a medical release from prison was denied by the Illinois Prisoner Review Board.
The former sheriff’s deputy convicted of murdering Sonya Massey was sentenced six months ago to 20 years in prison for second-degree murder. He asked to be released under a law that allows terminally ill inmates to leave prison and spend their remaining time at home.
Grayson has been battling Stage 3 colon cancer since 2023, which has since advanced to Stage 4 and spread to his rectum, liver and lungs.
Neither Grayson nor his lawyers attended Friday’s hearing. The Massey family did attend, and they were allowed to give victim impact statements. Sonya’s parents, son and cousin spoke.
It was up to a three-person panel to decide whether Grayson is released, but 70% of cases that have gone before the Review Board in the last five years end with denials of prisoners’ applications for early release.
Grayson’s case ultimately ended among the many cases that end in denial, as the panel voted unanimously to deny him release. Following the vote, the Massey family hosted a press conference to react to this development.
The following updates were observed by a reporter while watching the hearing. They are not an official or unofficial transcript of the proceedings, and they are not so thorough as to be interpreted as including everything that was said or seen.
9 a.m.
Sean Grayson’s application will be the first of five that the Illinois Prisoner Review Board hears on Friday.
The hearing, which begins at 9:30 a.m., will include victim impact statements from the Massey family. After hearing these statements, the board will deliberate in private before voting in public on whether to release Grayson.
The panelists are Jared Bohland, Rodger Heaton, Robin Schoffner.
9:15 a.m.
The Massey family is entering the boardroom. Sonya’s parents, James Wilburn and Donna Massey, cousin Sontae Massey and children Malachi and Summer Massey sat down at the table directly in front of the panelists.
9:30 a.m.
The hearing began with an explanation of the proceedings and introductions by the panelists.
Shortly after, the Massey family began speaking in opposition to Grayson’s release. The four were administered under oath before Sontae Massey began speaking first.
“I’m not sure that I can write, speak or articulate anything that can encompass the devastation that Sean Grayson has created for our family,” Sontae said. “We should all be in agreement upon one simple concept: no one is above the law. It is noteworthy that I believe he received a compassionate sentence from the jury because of his condition.”
Sontae added that at no point did Grayson or his attorneys show remorse for killing his cousin.
“Make him serve that sentence,” Sontae concluded his speech with.
9:42 p.m.
Malachi Massey spoke next.
“He killed my mom in cold blood. Before he even murdered her, he had no remorse. He didn’t wonder if she was ok. There are so many things that could have happened differently in that situation,” Malachi said. “He was not thinking about his medical situation when he did what he did, or my mother’s either. She had lupus and kidney disease. So why should we care about his medical needs when my mom was trying to get her medical needs, and she can’t do that anymore?”
9:46 a.m.
James Wilburn was the next member of the Massey family to speak.
He asked everyone in the boardroom who was opposed to Grayson’s release to stand. Many people in the audience did.
“One of the requirements of this act [the Joe Coleman Act] was that the sentencing judge had to take into account the medical condition of the killer Grayson. Judge Cadigan did that,” Wilburn said. “I think that with him being charged with first-degree murder and only sentenced for second-degree murder was a serious of miscarriage of justice already, but he gave him a 20-year sentence that he had the capability of giving him.”
Wilburn added the murder of his daughter has “shocked the conscience of our nation” and that the board has the opportunity to “right the wrong that’s been done to this family.”
“I would hope that this board today would not consider letting this animal out, and letting him out upon the streets of Sangamon County,” Wilburn added. “If he is released today on this compassionate release — he showed my child no compassion. His partner testified against him. The only thing Deputy Farley should have done that day was arrest that killer Grayson. He should not have had the ten days the grand jury had.”
Judge Cadigan gave him the complete 20 years,” Wilburn concluded. “Please do not let this killer out on the streets of Sangamon County.”
9:55 a.m.
Donna Massey then spoke, with Sontae joining her at her side when she became emotional.
“Letting Sean Grayson out in nine months of a 20-year sentence? For compassion?” she said. “She was a young mother of two, and she got shot in the face for saying ‘I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.’ He’s a demon.”
Donna spoke of her daughter’s mental health history and pointed out that Grayson already knew Sonya, since she was calling police constantly on the belief that someone was trying to kill her.
“He’s a menace to society. He should not be walking around,” Donna said, losing her composure. “He will kill you if you’re black.”
Donna concluded her speech and left the boardroom with Sontae. Wilburn and Malachi remained at the speakers’ table.
10 a.m.
The hearing concluded and the panelists retired to begin deliberations in private.
10:15 a.m.
The panel returned to the boardroom and announced a unanimous denial of Sean Grayson’s petition for release. This announcement drew some applause from members of the audience.
The boardroom then emptied ahead of the next case the panel will consider.
The Massey family will host a press conference at 11 a.m. to provide their response to the board’s decision.
11 a.m.
The Massey family met with members of the media following the denial of Sean Grayson’s petition for release.
