Advocates, Massey family share concerns over Safe-T Act

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A dozen community advocates gathered with members of Sonya Massey's family to ask legislators to modify the Safe-T act.

The group said as the law is currently written, murder is not always a detainable offense.

The demonstration came in the wake of the Fourth District Appellate Court's ruling that Sean Grayson, the former Sangamon County Sheriff's deputy charged in Sonya Massey's murder, should be held under the least restrictive conditions. That order was then stayed by the Fourth District Appellate Court.

Massey was killed in her home during a 911 call. Body-worn camera footage was released from the call that showed Grayson shooting Massey during an exchange over a pot of water.

Grayson is still currently in custody.

"The Safe-T Act was enacted to keep low level criminals who could not afford a bond that was set and to allow them to get out on bond," said James Wilburn, the father of Sonya Massey. "That wasn't for this guy, who has been charged with three counts of first degree murder and two more felonies."

Community activists like Teresa Haley, the President of Haley & Associates and Visions 1908, said they still think the Safe-T act is beneficial for communities of color and impoverished communities. However, the last year has shown issues in the law and how it used.

"We're asking our legislators to revisit it and say if someone is charged with murder, double murder to keep them in jail," said Haley. "Judges need to use their discretion, but they also need to use common sense, because this three panel judges decided that he was not a risk, he was not a harm to himself or the rest of us."

Haley said legislators need to sit down with community members to learn where issues lie with the law. They are also asking that changes are made to the way law enforcement officials are treated when they commit a crime.

"The appellate judges basically stated in the ruling that he was acting in the capacity as a sheriff deputy, instead of as an individual person," said Calvin Christian, a member of the Massey Commission. "That's something also should probably be changed in the Safe-T act as well, because regardless, he was acting as his self and on behalf of the sheriff's deputy, he is a danger that was him doing that, regardless if he says sheriff's deputy or not."

The group said that the Illinois Supreme Court should overturn the appellate court's decision and ensure Grayson stays behind bars before sentencing. They said if he is not detained, he will pose a threat to the community.

"I want to remain in Illinois, like many of my family and the white-ally friend, but not to my detriment and an untimely, lethal end," said Margaritta Fultz reading a statement prepared by her fiancé, Sontae Massey, Sonya's cousin. "They want to let a psychopathic misogynist out after he murdered Sonya Lynaye Massey. To teach proponents of pre trial fairness, police will not be held to a standard to protect and serve. The appellate court wants to release a hateful and unremarkable killer."