Pre-trial release hearing delayed for former deputy charged with killing Sonya Massey

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) – A hearing to set release conditions for the former Sangamon County sheriff's deputy charged with the shooting death of Sonya Massey has been delayed until January.

The Sangamon County State's Attorney's Office on Tuesday said an Illinois appellate court stayed an order to release Sean Grayson from custody.

This comes after the Fourth District Appellate Court ruled in late November that a circuit court's ruling to detain Grayson was improper. A hearing was scheduled for Friday afternoon to set the "least restrictive conditions" for Grayson's release.

That hearing has been scheduled for January 2, 2025.

The state's attorney's office said the order to keep Grayson in custody is to allow time for the Illinois Supreme Court to take action, if necessary.

Grayson was charged for the murder of Sonya Massey in July. Body-worn camera footage was released 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.

This is a developing story.