Video played in court showed Grayson then warning Massey that he would shoot her if she did not obey commands. Massey apologized, crouched behind a counter and raised a red oven mitt to her face. As she stood up, Grayson fired three rounds, striking her in the face. She died at the scene.
Grayson’s own body camera was not recording during the encounter; he activated it only after the shots were fired. A separate investigation by Illinois State Police later confirmed that the deputy’s Taser, an older model, was unused and fully functional.
Charges and Legal Arguments
The Sangamon County State’s Attorney originally charged Grayson with first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct. He pleaded not guilty to all counts. During trial, prosecutors Mary Beth Rodgers and John Milhiser contended that Grayson’s threat to shoot, followed by the immediate gunfire, proved intent.
“When you threaten to shoot someone in the face and then do it, that is murder,” Rodgers told jurors during closing statements.
Defense counsel Daniel Fultz countered that the shooting, while tragic, did not constitute a crime. He argued that Massey’s words and the boiling water led his client to believe he faced imminent harm. “The outcome was driven by Ms. Massey’s actions,” Fultz said, urging jurors to separate emotion from legal judgment.
Illinois defines second-degree murder as an intentional killing committed under a sudden and intense passion resulting from serious provocation or an unreasonable belief in the need for self-defense. Details of the statute can be found on the Legal Information Institute. By selecting that offense, jurors signaled they accepted that Grayson believed he was threatened but that the belief was unreasonable.
Imagem: Internet
Testimony and Evidence
Grayson took the stand in his own defense on Monday. He told the panel he feared Massey would hurl the boiling water at him, possibly causing serious burns. Prosecutors emphasized that the pot remained in the sink until after Grayson raised his firearm.
Grayson’s partner, whose body-camera footage formed the centerpiece of the state’s case, testified that he did not perceive Massey as a threat. He also noted that department policy required deputies to activate cameras before making contact with civilians.
The prosecution replayed the footage during rebuttal. Several members of Massey’s family left the courtroom in tears, and at least one juror appeared emotional. Grayson leaned forward at counsel’s table and did not look at the screen.
Jury Selection and Composition
Jury selection finished on Oct. 20 after more than five hours. The 12-member panel comprised nine white women, one Black man and two white men; three alternates were also seated. Attorneys questioned prospective jurors about their views on police use of force, body-camera policies and self-defense law. Neither side requested sequestration.
Next Steps
With the verdict rendered, attorneys will return to court in late January for sentencing arguments. Grayson remains in custody at the Peoria County Jail. A civil suit filed by Massey’s family in federal court alleging excessive force and wrongful death is still pending.
Crédito da imagem: Scott Olson/Getty Images
