LITTLE ROCK (KATV) -- Tonight, in Illinois -- a verdict in a case that's drawn national attention. A former sheriff's deputy has been found guilty of second-degree murder after shooting and killing a woman who called 911 for help.
Former Sangamon County deputy Sean Grayson was convicted in the death of 36-year-old Sonya Massey -- a Springfield woman who thought someone was outside her home the night she died.
On July 6, 2024, Sonya Massey called 911, concerned someone was lurking outside her Springfield home. Deputies -- including Sean Grayson -- responded and found no threat outside. But inside her kitchen, the situation escalated within seconds.
According to body camera footage and courtroom testimony, Grayson saw a pot of boiling water on the stove and told Massey, "We don't need a fire while we're here." He asked her to move the pot, stepping back as she did so.
Massey then asked, "Where are you going?"
Grayson replied, "Away from your hot, steaming water."
Moments later, Massey said, "I rebuke you in the name of Jesus."
Grayson immediately became aggressive -- saying, "You better f---ing not. I swear to God I'll f---ing shoot you in your f---ing face."
He drew his weapon and yelled, "Drop the f---ing pot!"
As Massey ducked behind the kitchen counter, Grayson fired three times, hitting her once in the head.
His partner testified during trial that Massey never posed a threat, describing Grayson's actions as "sudden and unexpected."
After a week of testimony and emotional witness accounts, the jury began deliberating Tuesday. By Wednesday, they returned with a guilty verdict -- finding Grayson guilty of second-degree murder.
Prosecutors argued Grayson acted out of anger, not fear, and later gave false statements about what happened.
Outside the courtroom, Sonya Massey's father, James Wilburn, who traveled from Jefferson County, Arkansas, said the verdict brought some closure -- but not full justice.
"We got partial justice. We didn't get complete justice. That's what we wanted," Wilburn said.
He described how his daughter's death sent shockwaves far beyond Illinois.
"It was like you throw a rock into a pond and the waves go out -- that's how it went out from my family to my friends to my Elk family to my Jefferson County family. I think this hurt all around the world."
Wilburn said faith has been his family's only source of strength.
"When this kind of hurt comes into your life, you have no alternative -- you can do nothing but lean and depend."
And while Grayson's family will still be able to visit him in prison, Wilburn says his family will only ever have memories and a headstone.
"At some point, Sean Grayson's family can go and see him in a prison cell. We have to go see Sonya in a cemetery at least the Grayson family still has him."
He added that in his hometown, his daughter will never be forgotten.
"I feel like Sonya was everybody's daughter in Jefferson County."
Grayson now awaits sentencing in the coming weeks.
Massey's family says they're grateful for the conviction -- but believe true justice will come only when no one else loses their life after calling for help.