Overview
- Opening statements began Wednesday in Peoria, where Sean Grayson pleaded not guilty to three first‑degree murder counts after prosecutors dismissed aggravated battery and official misconduct.
- Jurors viewed the unedited video from Grayson’s partner’s body camera, a key exhibit because Grayson did not activate his own camera until after the shooting.
- Prosecutor John Milhiser said Grayson ignored training and shot Sonya Massey without lawful justification, while the defense argued he reasonably feared a pot of boiling water and acted to protect his life.
- Deputy Dawson Farley testified that Massey did not appear to be a threat and that he drew his gun because Grayson did; he acknowledged an initial report citing fear of hot water that he later sought to clarify.
- Illinois State Police Lt. Eric Weston testified that investigators collected two shell casings immediately, found a third days later, and did not seize the pot for weeks; the trial was moved from Springfield to Peoria and is expected to last about two weeks.