The questioning of prospective jurors Monday by Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser & defense atty Daniel Fultz focused on attitudes toward law enforcement….

Witnesses scheduled to testify for both the state & defense are reported to be experts in #police training, generally accepted police practices, use of force, body camera video, use of video in investigations & the review of incidents involving the use of force.

#SonyaMassey #law #BLM #BlackLivesMatter #racism #WhiteSupremacy

The incident has prompted continued questions about #US #LawEnforcement #shootings of #Black people in their homes & generated a change in #Illinois #law requiring fuller transparency on the background of candidates for law enforcement jobs.

A jury of 10 women & 5 men, including 3 alternates, will hear testimony that’s predicted to end next week.

#SonyaMassey #BLM #BlackLivesMatter #police #racism #WhiteSupremacy

According to body-camera video that is certain to play a key role in the trial, Grayson & Massey joked about how the deputy backed away as she moved the pan before Massey said, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.” Grayson later told sheriff’s investigators he thought Massey’s statement meant she intended to kill him, yelled at her to drop the pot & in the subsequent commotion, fired 3 shots, striking her just below the eye.
#SonyaMassey #law #BLM #BlackLivesMatter #police #racism #WhiteSupremacy

On July 6, 2024, Massey, a 36-year-old single mother of 2 teenagers who struggled with mental health issues, called emergency responders over a suspected prowler. When Grayson, who is white, & another deputy entered her Springfield home to report finding no one, Grayson noticed a pan of hot water on the stove & ordered it removed.

#SonyaMassey #law #BLM #BlackLivesMatter #police #racism

The trial was scheduled to begin Wednesday with opening statements. If convicted of murder, Grayson faces a sentence of 45 years to life in prison. Prosecutors dismissed single counts of aggravated battery with a firearm & official misconduct.

#SonyaMassey #law #BLM #BlackLivesMatter #police #racism

Opening statements Wednesday in trial of ex-Illinois officer who killed #SonyaMassey

15 months after Sonya Massey, a #Black woman who had called 911 for help, was killed in her home, the former #police officer who fired the fatal shot is set to go on trial.

Sean Grayson, 31, a fmr deputy for the Sangamon County #Sheriff’s Dept in central #Illinois, has pleaded not guilty to 3 counts of first-degree #murder.

#law #BLM #BlackLivesMatter #racism #WhiteSupremacy
https://apnews.com/article/sonya-massey-shooting-trial-sean-grayson-police-ef91c35e7d6823a06639cdb243792a53