SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (July 2, 2025) –– Nationally renowned civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump and co-counsel Antonio Romanucci, who represent the family of Sonya Massey, responded today to news that Sean Grayson is seeking early release from prison less than six months into his 20-year sentence.
Grayson, the former Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy convicted of second-degree murder in the killing of Sonya Massey, is scheduled to appear before the Illinois Prisoner Review Board on July 31. Attorney Crump and Attorney Romanucci released the following statement:
“We strongly urge the Illinois Prisoner Review Board to decline former deputy Sean Grayson’s request for early release when the group meets on July 31. Sean Grayson was rightfully convicted by a jury of his peers just 9 months ago, and he was sentenced to 20 years for the senseless death of Sonya Massey. Her family remains in deep grief from the trauma and loss. And importantly, the community deserves justice to be upheld and that Sean Grayson needs to be held fully accountable for his actions. More broadly, we all should be concerned that a police officer convicted of murder is asking for release from prison after serving less than a year, when there are thousands of wrongly convicted individuals who deserve their freedom and struggle to have the justice system do the right thing by them. We must do better, America.”
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ABOUT BEN CRUMP LAW
Through his work, nationally renowned civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump has spearheaded a legal movement to better protect the rights of marginalized citizens. He has led landscape-changing civil rights cases and represented clients in a wide range of areas including civil rights, personal injury, labor and employment, class actions, and more. Ben Crump Law is dedicated to holding the powerful accountable. For more information, visit bencrump.com.
ABOUT ROMANUCCI & BLANDIN, LLC
Romanucci & Blandin is a Chicago-based national trial practice committed to fighting for victims of negligence, abuse and wrongful death through impact litigation. For more than 25 years, we have secured more than $1 billion in verdicts and settlements for our clients – many for millions of dollars or record-setting awards. Our experience ranges from mass shootings, civil rights and police misconduct to medical malpractice, sexual abuse, motor vehicle accidents or workplace injury cases involving individual or institutional negligence. Romanucci & Blandin is a valuable legal resource to individuals and groups of people who have been injured by others’ wrongdoing. Referring attorneys and clients say several factors distinguish our firm: Our record of success, depth of experience, talented and dedicated legal team, tireless preparation, and strategic use of communications to fight for the rights of those whose lives have been changed forever. We differ from other personal injury firms in that our work does not stop when a verdict or settlement is secured. Our clients’ experiences often inspire us to commit resources to transforming lives and communities. For more information about Romanucci & Blandin, please visit: www.rblaw.net.
