Chicago (CBS) – Sangamon County officials have reached a $ 10 million settlement agreement with the family of Sonya Masseywho was shot dead at his home by the deputy of a Sheriff last year after calling 911.
According to a memorandum obtained by CBS News, County officials negotiated the $ 10 million agreement through mediation after “broad confidential discussions” between lawyers for the county and lawyers for Massey’s family.
Massey, 36, was shot and killed at home near Springfield on July 6, 2024.
Sheriff deputy of Sangamon Count Grayson shot Massey When he checked a pot of boiling water in his own kitchen while saying: “I rebuked you in the name of Jesus.”
Grayson, 30, was fired from the Sheriff’s department has been accused of first degree murder in the mortal shooting. He remains in jail But he is fighting in court to be released from custody While waiting for the trial.
The $ 10 million agreement with Massey’s family must be approved by the Sangamon County Board, and a source at the Board said that the agreement is expected to be approved at the next meeting on February 11.
“This agreement is part of the continuous efforts of Sangamon County to address the tragic death of Sonya Massey. In addition to this agreement, the county focuses on improving its policies and practices through its memorandum according to the Department of Justice of Justice of The United States.
The memorandum also establishes that the agreement will not require any tax increase, and the county will not assume any additional debt or reduce any service to pay the agreement.
“No paid price can recover the actions of a former dishonest deputy, but this agreement is an effort to provide a reward measure to the Massey family for its unimaginable loss. The county remains committed to working with the community to strengthen policies to deal with To ensure that tragedies like this never happens again, “Van Enter wrote.
On February 12, Massey would have been the 37th birthday, and his family is planning a demonstration in the State Capitol that day.
The Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office agreed last month to be monitored by the United States Department of Justice For two years, but the future of that agreement is uncertain. Civil rights agreements At the end of the Biden Administration, achieved, they are now under review by officials of the Department of Justice of President Trump.
Meanwhile, a coalition of members of the Board of County has sent a letter to the Massey commission, a panel of citizens formed in response to Massey’s murder, requesting that the Illinois Prosecutor’s Attorney General for the Illinois Police of Illinois who Investigate the Sheriff County Sheriff’s Office, saying that I do not believe that the agreement of the Justice Department is adequate or will be applied. The Commission will address that application at its next meeting on February 10.
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