Nationwide — Sonya Massey’s household has reached a $10 million settlement with officers in Sangamon County, Illinois after the 36-year-old Black lady was shot and killed by a sheriff’s deputy in her own residence after she known as for assist. The settlement marks the most important civil rights case payout within the county’s historical past.
In accordance with stories, the Sangamon County Board unanimously authorized the settlement. Civil rights legal professional Ben Crump, representing Massey’s household, known as it “solely step one within the journey for justice.”
“We wish civil accountability, felony culpability and we wish legislative modifications,” Crump stated, in line with NBC News. “We wish the legal guidelines to stop one thing like this from occurring once more.”
Massey was killed on July sixth when Deputy Sean Grayson responded to her 911 name. Physique-camera footage reveals Grayson firing three pictures, one hitting Massey beneath her left eye. Grayson claimed he feared for his life when Massey, holding a pot of boiling water, stated, “I rebuke you within the identify of Jesus.”
Grayson, who had labored for six completely different regulation enforcement businesses in 4 years, was fired and charged with first-degree homicide, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct. He pleaded not responsible and stays in custody.
The $10 million settlement will go to Massey’s two kids. Her father, James Wilburn, blamed each the county and Grayson’s earlier employers for hiring him regardless of his historical past of efficiency points and DUI convictions.
The case additionally prompted Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell to retire early and led to a federal settlement requiring the sheriff’s workplace to implement higher coaching, nondiscriminatory policing practices, and improved use-of-force reporting.
Massey’s household continues to hunt justice as they keep in mind her life and advocate for modifications to stop related tragedies sooner or later.
