Hearing for change of venue in Sean Grayson trial to be held Tuesday

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - A judge will hear arguments about changing the venue for a former Sangamon County deputy accused of shooting and killing Sonya Massey inside her home.

On Tuesday, an attorney for Grayson will argue to move the trial out of Sangamon County. In the motion filed with the court, Grayson's attorney argued that coverage and community engagement in the case "has made it virtually impossible to empanel a fair and impartial jury in Sangamon County."

John Rekowski, a retired Madison County Public Defender, told WAND News a change of venue motion is not very common, and it's "extraordinary" when the motion is allowed.

"It's a well drafted motion," he said. "Defense council has done a good job putting together the facts that was normally support a change of venue, which is abnormal pre-trial publicity, in which people form an opinion as to guilt or innocence before they ever hit a jury box."

Rekowski drew parallels to the Paula Sims murder trial. The Metro East mother was convicted of killing her two infant daughters.

"It garnered national attention, much like this (Sean Grayson) case did," he explained. "It was the headline story, day after day, after day."

Sims' case was moved to Peoria County.

Rekowski told WAND News if the Sangamon County Judge allows for the trial to be moved out of the county, the pre-trial hearings will continue in Springfield. However, the jury selection and the trial will be heard some place else.

"If he (judge) allows the motion, it will consult with the Illinois Administrative Office of Courts and locate. He will not pick the location. The superior court will - the Supreme Court will assign it to a specific county."

Grayson was seen on police body camera video shooting and killing Sonya Massey inside her home in July 2024. Massey had called police for help during an apparent mental health crisis.

Grayson is charged with murder and is awaiting trial. He's remained in custody despite repeated attempts by his legal team to have him released before trial.

Massey's death sparked a civil rights investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice and led to the formation of the Massey Commission in Sangamon County. Both have brought change to Sangamon County and the sheriff's department, including new hiring practices, mental health awareness, and greater transparency and accountability. Earlier this year, Sangamon County and the Massey Family agreed to a $10 million settlement.