SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — An Illinois appellate court ruled Wednesday that a former deputy sheriff charged with the death of Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman shot in her home after she called police for help, should be released from jail pending his first-degree murder trial.
The 4th District Appellate Court’s unanimous decision found that a circuit court ruling in July that Sean Grayson should be detained was improper. It said prosecutors failed to supply sufficient evidence that there were no conditions the court could set that would lessen the danger Grayson posed to the community.
In his opinion for the court, Justice Eugene Doherty found fault with prosecutors for basing their arguments against release on the way Grayson acted during the shooting.
“When the question before the court is whether defendant can be safely released prior to trial on appropriate conditions, it is inappropriate to dwell on whether he fell short of the high expectations society rightly has for its law enforcement officers,” Doherty wrote. “A defendant’s conduct may be reprehensible and deserving of punishment, but that is an inappropriate basis for imposing pretrial detention.”
The opinion ordered a court hearing for Grayson at which suitable conditions for his release be set.
Grayson’s next court hearing is scheduled for Monday. A telephone message was left for his attorney.
The 30-year-old Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy is charged with first-degree murder in the July 6 shooting of Massey, who had called 911 to report a suspected prowler. During a conversation in her living room, Grayson ordered a pot of water on the stove be removed.
Massey, who had dealt with mental health issues, joked with Grayson over the pan, then inexplicably told Grayson, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.” Grayson yelled at her to drop the pot, and as she ducked, he fired three shots, striking her just below the left eye.
The case has drawn national attention as an example of police shooting Black people in their homes.
Related Posts:
- Colorado secretary of state orders mandatory recount in House District 16 race News Colorado election officials must recount more than 40,000 ballots cast in El Paso County’s House District 16 as Republican Rebecca Keltie holds a six-vote lead over incumbent Democratic Rep. Stephanie Vigil. The recount, already a certainty in the razor-thin race, was made official in an order from Colorado Secretary of…
- Domestic abusers set to face tougher punishments under new protection orders News DOMESTIC abusers will face tougher punishments under new protection orders. And victims will be able to apply for a restraining order without going to the police. The new Domestic Abuse Protection Orders and Notices can be imposed by all courts, not just criminal ones, with breaches punishable by up to…
- Putin orders giant 16,000mph doomsday nuke ‘Satan II’ to be made ready for war in latest deranged nuclear sabre rattle News PUTIN is said to have ordered the deadly 16,000mph Satan 2 to be battle-ready sparking fears of a major escalation in the war. The threatening move sees the killer nuclear capable RS-28 Sarmat – dubbed “the world’s deadliest weapon” – being on “combat duty.” East2WestTest launch of giant Russian nuclear-capable…
- TV botox doctor appears in court charged with sexually assaulting woman in his apartment News A TV botox doctor has appeared in court charged with sexually assaulting a woman in his apartment. Dr Tapan Patel, 52, allegedly carried out the attack in September 2022. Central NewsDr Tapan Patel appeared in court[/caption] The renowned botox doctor, who featured in Channel Five reality show 10 Years Younger…
- Jussie Smollett Conviction Reversed by Illinois Court After ‘Double Jeopardy’ Claim Entertainment Jussie Smollett's conviction in Chicago had been overturned by the Illinois Supreme Court, citing "due process' issues. The post Jussie Smollett Conviction Reversed by Illinois Court After ‘Double Jeopardy’ Claim appeared first on EntertainmentNow.
(Visited 1 times, 1 visits today)