Illinois Review Board denies medical release for convicted deputy Sean Grayson

The Illinois Prisoner Review Board voted on Friday to refuse former Sangamon County deputy Sean Grayson’s bid for medical release, meaning he will remain incarcerated for the killing of Sonya Massey. Grayson, six months into a 20-year sentence, invoked the Joe Coleman Act and claimed he suffers from advanced colon cancer, though his own application omitted any statement that his condition was likely fatal within 18 months.

A state-appointed medical professional did mark the prognosis as terminal within that timeframe, but the board’s three-person panel still denied the request. Sangamon County State's Attorney John Milhiser argued that the illness had already been considered at sentencing and that release would insult the victim’s family. Attorneys Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci, representing the Massey family, welcomed the decision, emphasizing that a police badge does not grant early freedom. The victim’s cousin, Sontae Massey, reiterated that Grayson must continue to serve his punishment.