Illinois Sheriff, Who Hired Killer of Sonya Massey, Quits
The Sangamon County Sheriff, who hired Deputy Sean Grayson who killed a chronically mentally ill woman in her Springfield, Illinois home, announced his resignation after Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker pushed him to step down.
Sheriff Jack Campbell took a swipe at the system and the governor.
"It has become clear that the current political climate has made it nearly impossible for me to continue effectively in my role,” Campbell wrote in the statement. “Some individuals would rather see our community divided and in turmoil than allow me to continue serving as Sheriff. The health of me and my family, the Sheriff’s Office, and our community has to be my priority.” Campbell's last day will be August 31.
Sonya Massey, 36, called the police, believing that a burglar had broken into her house.
Grayson, who is now in jail, shot Massey in the face, killing her in a dispute over a pot of water boiling on her stove. Grayson believed that she was planning to throw the hot water on him and that is why he shot her although there was no evidence of that.
He is charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery, and official misconduct.
Gordon Robertson of the Christian Broadcasting Networks and the 700 Club, said some people are fearful of calling the police for help because they might get shot.
Robertson also urged government officials to make a list of police officers who move from one job to another. Grayson had six jobs in four years at various police departments.
The governor called the shooting of Massey, a Black woman in her home by a White deputy "horrific." At the time of the shooting, Grayson was employed by the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office.
The governor turned his attention again to Sheriff Campbell.
"He failed to put forward reforms that need to be made...training and other reforms. And he still has failed to meet with the Massey family. That seems outrageous to me. At a minimum, listen to them, hear them, and then hopefully take action," Pritzker said.
Last week, Ryan M. Cadagin, presiding circuit judge of Sangamon County, ordered Grayson to remain locked up in a cage.
More than 20 members of Massey’s family attended the hearing and briefly applauded the decision.
The fix is in