(SPRINGFIELD, Ill.) — Sean Grayson, the former Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy, was sentenced on Thursday to 20 years in prison after he was convicted in October 2025 of second-degree murder for the July 2024 fatal shooting of Sonya Massey, a Black woman who called 911 to report a possible intruder at her home in Springfield, Illinois.

Judge Ryan Cadagin said that Grayson will also have a two-year mandatory supervised release and will receive credit for time served, according to Springfield ABC affiliate WICS, which was in the courtroom. He had been facing to four to 20 years in prison or probation, according to prosecutors.

Grayson spoke ahead of his hearing and apologized to Massey’s family, WICS reported.

“I wish there was something I could do to bring her back. I wish this didn’t happen. I wish they [Massey’s family] didn’t have to go through this experience. I am very sorry,” he said, according to WICS.

Addressing the judge, Grayson acknowledged that “made a lot of mistakes” on the night Massey died, WICS reported.

“There were points when I should’ve acted, and I didn’t — I froze. I made terrible decisions that night. I’m sorry,” he reportedly said.

Massey’s mother, Donna Massey, and children delivered victim impact statements ahead of the sentencing, WICS noted.

“Today, I’m afraid to call the police in fear that I might end up like Sonya,” Donna Massey said, according to WICS.

She addressed Grayson with the same words that Sonya Massey said to the former deputy before she was fatally shot, WICS reported: “Sean Grayson, I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.”

Massey’s children, Malachi and Summer, also spoke.

“I had to step up at 17. I had nowhere to go or nothing. I was just lost. I’m figuring it out a little bit now, but I still need my mom … It’s like a part of me is dead,” Malachi Massey said during Thursday’s hearing, WICS reported.

Summer Massey was 15 when her mother died.

“Since her death, I have not been the same person,” she said in her victim impact statement on Thursday, according to WICS.

Sontae Massey, Massey’s cousin, told WICS in an interview that aired ahead of the sentencing on Wednesday that her death “shattered” her family.

Family representatives for the Massey family told ABC News on Wednesday that the family will hold a press conference after Grayson’s sentencing hearing.

Ahead of sentencing Grayson, the judge denied on Thursday morning Grayson’s request for a new trial.

Grayson’s attorneys filed a motion for a new trial on Dec. 2, 2025, arguing that “several erroneous rulings” “resulted in prejudice to the defendant.”

The motion, which was reviewed by ABC News, cited alleged “errors” that include “incorrectly” focusing on Grayson’s “obligations as a police officer” when determining not to release him pre-trial, as opposed to “the danger he posed as a private citizen.”

Grayson’s attorneys also argued in the motion that the judge should not have admitted into evidence the body camera video that showed Grayson’s “statements and actions” after he fatally shot Massey.

Grayson’s attorneys did not respond to ABC News’ requests for comment.

Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser, who prosecuted Grayson, told ABC News on Thursday that his office filed a motion asking the judge to deny Grayson’s request for a new trial.

Body camera footage of the July 6, 2024 incident shows Grayson, who was inside Massey’s home, pointing to a pot of boiling water on her stove and says, “Walk away from your hot steaming water.”

Massey then appears to pour the water into the sink and repeats the deputy’s phrase before saying, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus,” according to the video.

Grayson threatens to shoot her and Massey apologizes and ducks down behind a counter, covering her face with what appears to be a red oven mitt, the video shows. As she briefly rises, Grayson shoots her three times in the face, the footage shows.

During Grayson’s testimony, he told the jury he believed Massey was going to throw the scalding water on him and was scared.

The assistant state attorney said that Massey’s final words before being shot with her hands up were, “I’m sorry,” according to WICS.

Grayson was initially charged with three counts in connection to Massey’s death — first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct. He pleaded not guilty to all counts.

Following the seven-day trial in October 2025, the jury was given the option of considering second-degree murder instead of first-degree murder.

ABC News’ Mariama Jalloh and Sabina Ghebremedhin contributed to this report.

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