SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - Sean Grayson, the former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy accused of killing Sonya Massey, appeared in court Friday. He was present in person, not virtually, after being transferred to Sangamon County.

Both the prosecution and defense argued over several motions regarding what evidence would be allowed in Grayson’s trial. The prosecution wanted several incidents that occurred while Grayson was working in law enforcement or in the military to be included in the case. They said it showed how much training Grayson had received and that he had unnecessarily escalated situations.
 
A Sangamon County judge ruled that the evidence was not relevant and would not be included in the case.
 
"As somebody who's worked on the ten shared principles with the Illinois chiefs of police and police officers around the state and around the country, I thought that was important, that that evidence be introduced," said Teresa Haley, a community activist. "Because how do you know a person's history or their past and they're not bound to repeat it? If you don't know those things about an individual, that's part of our character." 
 
The family said they are content with what happened in court and are still seeking justice. They are anxious to get the proceedings completed.  
 
"And I think that's what these guys were doing, throwing stuff on the wall to see what would stick," said James Wilburn, Sonya's father. "We were pleased with what occurred in the courtroom today." 
 
Wilburn hopes that lawmakers nationally look into replicating laws like the one passed in Illinois in Sonya's honor. 
 
The family also shared that they plan to be at the court proceedings in Peoria, even though they are being limited to how many people they can bring into the courtroom.
 
They also experienced frustration with video and audio recording not being allowed in the courtroom. With how well-known this case has become nationally, they want people to know what happens inside the courtroom.
 
Grayson will have one more pretrial hearing in October before his case starts on Oct. 20.
 
More Coverage: 
 
Pritzker signs bill requiring stricter police hiring practices in honor of Sonya Massey
 
Attorneys for Sean Grayson drop cease and desist against Massey Commission
 
Attorney: Former deputy acted in self-defense in killing of Sonya Massey
 
'She said she would change the world': Sonya's Massey's family remembers her one year later 

Copyright 2025. WAND TV. All rights reserved.