Nationwide — Sonya Massey’s household has reached a $10 million settlement with officers in Sangamon County, Illinois after the 36-year-old Black girl was shot and killed by a sheriff’s deputy in her own residence after she referred to as for assist. The settlement marks the biggest civil rights case payout within the county’s historical past.
In keeping with experiences, the Sangamon County Board unanimously accepted the settlement. Civil rights legal professional Ben Crump, representing Massey’s household, referred to as it “solely step one within the journey for justice.”
“We would like civil accountability, felony culpability and we would like legislative modifications,” Crump mentioned, in keeping with NBC News. “We would like the legal guidelines to forestall one thing like this from occurring once more.”
Massey was killed on July sixth when Deputy Sean Grayson responded to her 911 name. Physique-camera footage exhibits Grayson firing three pictures, one hitting Massey beneath her left eye. Grayson claimed he feared for his life when Massey, holding a pot of boiling water, mentioned, “I rebuke you within the identify of Jesus.”
Grayson, who had labored for six completely different regulation enforcement companies in 4 years, was fired and charged with first-degree homicide, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct. He pleaded not responsible and stays in custody.
The $10 million settlement will go to Massey’s two kids. Her father, James Wilburn, blamed each the county and Grayson’s earlier employers for hiring him regardless of his historical past of efficiency points and DUI convictions.
The case additionally prompted Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell to retire early and led to a federal settlement requiring the sheriff’s workplace to implement higher coaching, nondiscriminatory policing practices, and improved use-of-force reporting.
Massey’s household continues to hunt justice as they bear in mind her life and advocate for modifications to forestall related tragedies sooner or later.
Source link