Sean Grayson, the former Sangamon County sheriff's deputy charged with killing 36-year-old Sonya Massey, was cited over "extreme and repeated mental cruelty" without cause or provocation as his wife dissolved their marriage almost a decade ago, documents obtained by Newsweek show.
On July 6, Massey, a mother of two, called the police to report a suspected intruder in her home, said Ben Crump, her family's attorney. Body camera footage of the incident released Monday shows Grayson, 30, inside Massey's apartment in Springfield, Illinois, telling her to put down a pot of boiling water before firing three shots.
Grayson has pleaded not guilty to three counts of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct related to Massey's death.
Documents show that Grayson and his ex-wife, Alexia Kay Pitchford, 29, of St. Louis, did not have children and separated in early May 2015. Pitchford received possession of several household items during the split, including a table, a vacuum and a moped. She was also entitled to use Pitchford as her surname once again. Neither Grayson nor Pitchford were required to pay spousal support.
Additional details regarding Grayson's alleged acts of cruelty were not detailed in the court documents.
Repeated attempts to reach Pitchford, who works as a nail technician at Hotel St. Louis, were unsuccessful on Wednesday. Her mother, Jacki Pitchford, declined to comment to Newsweek when asked about Grayson, who awaits trial.
Grayson was fired last week and remains held without bond ahead of a court appearance set for August 26, according to his attorney, Daniel Fultz, who declined further comment to Newsweek.
In July 2016, Grayson was arrested while driving a Ford pickup truck in Girard, Illinois, on charges that included driving under the influence and driving on a suspended or revoked license, documents show.
A year earlier, Grayson, then 21 and living in Junction City, Kansas, was charged with a DUI, but a judge expunged the charge in 2018, court records show.
The former sheriff's deputy served at six different Illinois law enforcement agencies in a four-year period, according to the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board. His current certification status is marked "suspended."
In August 2020, he began working with the Pawnee Police Department as a part-time officer. He later took on two other part-time roles, with the Kincaid Police Department on February 4, 2021, and the Virden Police Department on May 20, 2021.
On July 7, 2021, Grayson began working in a full-time role with the Auburn Police Department. On May 1, 2022, he took on a full-time role at the Logan County Sheriff's Office before starting at Sangamon County in May 2023.
In body camera footage of the July 6 shooting, Massey can be heard telling Grayson, "I rebuke you in the name of Jesus." She then apologizes when Grayson points his firearm at her.
"You better f****** not. I swear to God I'll f****** shoot you right in your f****** face," Grayson says.
Massey then ducks behind a counter, and Grayson tells her to drop a pot of boiling water before firing three times. Upon review, the department relieved Grayson of his duties.
"The Body Worn Camera footage has now been released, and the public can see what we saw: Sonya Massey lost her life due to an unjustifiable and reckless decision by former Deputy Sean Grayson," Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell said in a statement on Monday.
Campbell added: "Grayson had other options available that he should have used. His actions were inexcusable and do not reflect the values or training of our office. He will now face judgment by the criminal justice system and will never again work in law enforcement.
"Ms. Massey needlessly lost her life, and her family deserves answers. I trust the legal process will provide them. This incident does not reflect the values or actions of our law enforcement community. It was a tragic decision made by an individual who had the training, tools, and experience to know better. We are committed to upholding a standard that prevents such tragedies from occurring in the future."
Massey's father, James Wilburn, called for Campbell's resignation during a July 22 news conference.
"I want justice for my baby," Willburn told reporters. "You killed the wrong Black woman this time."
Crump, a nationally renowned civil rights attorney who has represented families of individuals such as George Floyd, described Grayson's arrest as "an important milestone in the pursuit of justice for Sonya Massey's family."
"While nothing can undo the heinous actions of this officer, we hope the scales of justice will continue to hold him accountable and we will demand transparency at every step," Crump said in a statement on July 18.
Newsweek has contacted Crump via phone and email for further comment.
The Department of Justice said in its own statement: "The Department of Justice is aware of and assessing the circumstances surrounding the tragic officer-involved death of Ms. Sonya Massey and extends condolences to her family and loved ones. The department will continue to track the criminal case opened by the Sangamon County state's attorney."
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About the writer
Nick Mordowanec is a Newsweek investigative reporter based in Michigan. His focus includes U.S. and international politics and policies, immigration, ... Read more
