Ex-deputy who shot Sonya Massey is denied a request for medical release from prison
The board said Grayson remains a danger after he sought release under Illinois’ medical-release law for advanced colon cancer.
- On Friday, the Illinois Prisoner Review Board denied Sean Grayson's medical release request, keeping the former Sangamon County sheriff's deputy imprisoned for the 2024 murder of Sonya Massey.
- Citing Stage 4 colon cancer, Grayson sought release under the Joe Coleman Act after serving only six months of his 20-year sentence for the fatal shooting.
- Sangamon County State's Attorney John Milhiser opposed the petition, arguing the judge explicitly weighed Grayson's condition during sentencing and that he remains a "substantial danger" to the community.
- A three-member panel voted 3-0 to deny the release, prompting dozens of Massey's family and supporters in attendance to clap and shout "thank you."
- Governor JB Pritzker called Massey's killing a "profound loss" and reaffirmed his commitment to police accountability through the Sonya Massey Bill, which aims to improve hiring practices.
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59 Articles
Pritzker Responds After Board Denies Sean Grayson’s Medical Release Petition
CHICAGO – Former Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson was denied medical release Friday, July 31, 2026, by the Illinois Prisoner Review Board and will remain in prison serving his sentence for the 2024 killing of Sonya Massey, according to the board’s decision following a hearing in Chicago.Grayson had petitioned for release under Illinois’ Medical Release Act after being diagnosed with cancer. He was convicted of second-degree murder i…
Associated Press News
Ex-deputy who shot Sonya Massey is denied a request for medical release from prison
Illinois prison officials say the former sheriff’s deputy who killed Sonya Massey won't get an early medical release from his two-decade prison sentence.
Capitol Fa - Your Illinois News Radar » Sean Grayson denied early medical release from prisonCapitolFax.com
* First, some background from Capitol News Illinois… The ex-Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy convicted of murdering Sonya Massey in her kitchen is asking for medical release from a state prison — and maintaining that Massey “attacked” him. Sean Grayson’s case will go before the Illinois Prisoner Review Board on Friday, less than six months into the 20-year [...]
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