Sonya Massey shooting trial Sean Grayson police.

Opening statements in the trial of a former sheriff’s deputy charged with murder in the shooting death of a Black woman, in her Springfield, Illinois, home are scheduled for Wednesday. Sean Grayson is charged with first-degree murder after responding to the 36-year-old Sonya Massey’s call about a suspected prowler early on July 6, 2024. After a confusing exchange between Grayson, who is white, and Massey over her removing a pan of hot water from her stove, Grayson shot her just below the eye. The trial was moved to Peoria because of publicity. Testimony likely will feature a competition of experts on police training and expected practices and justified use of force by police.