Illinois Supreme Court to take up Grayson appeal on pre-trial release

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - The Illinois Supreme Court has agreed to take up an appeal by the former sheriff's deputy accused of shooting and killing Sonya Massey.

The court agreed to hear an appeal filed by Sean Grayson that would allow him to get out of jail pending his trial. It's not clear when the justices will make a ruling.

Whether or not Grayson should be released from jail has seen a ping-pong of legal maneuvers by both prosecutors and defense attorneys.

Last month, the Illinois Supreme Court declined to grant an emergency motion that would have released Grayson. In early December, an Illinois appellate court ruled Grayson should remain in custody until a January hearing. A lower court had initially granted Grayson's release but that was held up pending other legal challenges.

Grayson's attorneys argued he should be released under the Illinois SAFE-T Act.

Grayson was charged for the murder of Sonya Massey last July.

Body-worn camera footage from a 911 call that showed Grayson shooting Massey during an exchange over a pot of water in her home. After the shooting, he failed to give Massey medical help.

Grayson's next hearing is scheduled for March.