Sean Grayson due in court, attorney and legal scholar comments

Sean Grayson, the former Illinois sheriff’s deputy accused of murdering Sonya Massey in her home, is due in Sangamon County Circuit Court on Monday morning.

Joseph Margulies, attorney, criminal law expert and professor of government in the College of Arts and Sciences, says that the bodycam footage illustrates multiple instances in which Grayson made matters worse.

Margulies says: “If you watch the whole 36 minutes of bodycam footage, as I did, you lose track of the number of times Officer Grayson made things worse instead of better. He didn't have to holler at her to ‘hurry up’ and open the door. He didn't have to go in the house. He didn't have to ask to see her ID instead of just recording her name.

“He didn't have to let her approach the boiling water. He didn't have to close in on her. He didn't have to draw his gun. He didn't have to shoot. He knew she was tired, disoriented and medicated, and could have just left her front porch once he confirmed that she was ok. Police have a hard job, but that doesn't relieve them of the obligation to do it right.”

For interviews contact Damien Sharp: cell, 540.222.8208, drs395@cornell.edu.