SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS — The Illinois Prisoner Review Board denied Sean Grayson's application for medical release on Friday. The board voted 3-0 to keep the former Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy in prison despite his terminal cancer diagnosis.

Liz Mitchell, a spokesperson for the Illinois Prisoner Review Board, confirmed the board's vote in a statement. The panel deliberated for 10 minutes before issuing its unanimous decision to reject the request.

Grayson is serving a 20-year prison sentence after he was convicted of second-degree murder in October 2025 for the 2024 killing of Sonya Massey. He had served approximately six months of his sentence at the time of the hearing.

Grayson filed for medical release under the Joe Coleman Act in May 2026. The Joe Coleman Act allows incarcerated people who are terminally ill or medically incapacitated to apply for early release.

A medical professional evaluated Grayson and deemed his condition irreversible and incurable. The medical professional indicated in Grayson's application that he is likely to die within 18 months due to his cancer.

Grayson was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer in 2023. By the time of his sentencing in January 2026, his cancer had progressed to Stage 4 and spread to his liver, lungs, and rectum.

The evaluating doctor did not deem Grayson medically incapacitated. The physician found that his cancer does not interfere with his ability to care for himself in daily life.

Sangamon County State’s Attorney John C. Milhiser opposed Grayson’s release in a letter to the board. Milhiser stated in his letter that Grayson remains a danger to society. Milhiser wrote that releasing Grayson would be a miscarriage of justice and an insult to Sonya Massey's memory and family.

Donna Massey, Sonya Massey's mother, testified at the hearing. Four members of Massey’s family read victim impact statements before the panel during the proceedings.

Donna Massey said, "He did it, and I’m done. He did it, and he is a menace to society. He should not be walking around."

Attorneys Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci, representing Massey's family, praised the ruling. They issued a joint statement following the board's decision to deny the application. "The Prisoner Review Board made the right decision and reaffirmed the jury's verdict and the sentence the court imposed," they said, adding that "a badge does not provide an early way out."

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said in a statement, "Sonya Massey’s family and loved ones remain in my thoughts today. Her killing was a profound loss that can never be reversed. Sonya was innocent, unarmed, and calling law enforcement for help. It was a painful reminder that too many innocent Black Americans have faced this kind of violence — and they deserve justice."

The board considered the cost of Grayson’s treatment and how his incarceration would impact the Illinois Department of Corrections' ability to provide medical care to others. Grayson has the option to re-apply for medical release as many times as he wants, according to an agency spokesperson.

Neither Grayson, his legal team, nor supporters were present at the hearing. The decision was made in their absence after reviewing the submitted materials and testimony. Grayson was a 30-year-old White deputy of the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office at the time of the incident.

Sonya Massey was a 36-year-old unarmed Black woman. The murder occurred in Woodside Township near Springfield, Illinois.

Massey called 911 to report a prowler outside her home in Springfield, Illinois, in July 2024. Grayson entered Massey's apartment after being dispatched to the scene.

Inside the apartment, Massey picked up a pot of boiling water from her stove. Grayson backed away from Massey when she picked up the pot of boiling water.

Grayson said, "Getting away from your hot steaming water," according to John C. Milhiser's recounting. Massey responded, "Away from my hot steaming water? I rebuke you in the name of Jesus."

According to body camera footage, Massey appeared to pour the water into the sink and repeated Grayson's phrase before saying, "I rebuke you in the name of Jesus." According to body camera footage, Massey ducked down behind a counter and covered her face with what appeared to be a red oven mitt.

Grayson pointed his gun at Massey and threatened to shoot her. Massey apologized and dropped to the floor.

Grayson fired his weapon three times, hitting Massey. Body-worn camera footage shows Grayson firing his duty weapon at Massey three times, striking her in the face.

Grayson told his partner that Massey had "a head shot, dude — she’s done," according to body-worn camera footage. Grayson called Massey a derogatory term when paramedics and other officers arrived, according to body-worn camera footage.

Grayson declined to offer medical care to Massey after shooting her, according to John C. Milhiser. Massey was pronounced dead at a hospital.

In a handwritten statement, he wrote, "The female Sony (sic) Massey invited me inside," and "while inside she attacked me with a pot of boiling water and I fatally shot Ms. Massey." he said in court testimony that he thought Massey was threatening him and was going to throw the water at him.

Attorneys for the Massey family claimed she was experiencing a mental health crisis and posed no threat. Footage released by Illinois State Police shows the incident from the partner's point of view because Grayson did not turn his own body camera on until after the shooting, according to court documents.

Grayson apologized for Massey’s death at his January sentencing. The Illinois Prisoner Review Board panel consisted of two Republicans and one Democrat.

Why It Matters

The unanimous denial establishes that a terminal diagnosis alone does not guarantee early release under the Joe Coleman Act if an inmate retains the ability to perform daily self-care. By rejecting the application after only 10 minutes of deliberation, the board prioritized the original murder sentence and victim impact statements over the projected 18-month life expectancy cited by medical evaluators. This decision confirms that Grayson must continue serving his 20-year term despite the state incurring costs for his cancer treatment within the prison system.