By WMBD & WCIA TV
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Sean Grayson’s application for a medical release from prison was denied by the Illinois Prisoner Review Board.
The former sheriff’s deputy convicted of murdering Sonya Massey was sentenced six months ago to 20 years in prison for second-degree murder. He asked to be released under a law that allows terminally ill inmates to leave prison and spend their remaining time at home.
Grayson has been battling Stage 3 colon cancer since 2023, which has since advanced to Stage 4 and spread to his rectum, liver and lungs.
Neither Grayson nor his lawyers attended Friday’s hearing. The Massey family did attend, and they were allowed to give victim impact statements. Sonya’s parents, son and cousin spoke.
It was up to a three-person panel to decide whether Grayson is released, but 70% of cases that have gone before the Review Board in the last five years end with denials of prisoners’ applications for early release.
Grayson’s case ultimately ended among the many cases that end in denial, as the panel voted unanimously to deny him release. Following the vote, the Massey family hosted a press conference to react to this development.
The following updates were observed by a reporter while watching the hearing. They are not an official or unofficial transcript of the proceedings, and they are not so thorough as to be interpreted as including everything that was said or seen.
9 a.m.
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