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Commission to investigate the shooting of Sonya Massey receives first funding

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At Tuesday's County Board Jail Committee meeting, a resolution calling for an independent outside review of the Sangamon County Sheriff's Department's hiring practices and procedures was withdrawn.

Meanwhile, a citizens' commission announced last week to examine, among other things, police conduct following the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey on July 6 was approved for initial funding of $100,000.

The resolution will be submitted to the Board of Directors for a vote on September 10.

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Gina Lathan, a Sangamon County Board member who worked on the withdrawn resolution, said she decided to support the Massey Commission resolution “with the expectation and understanding” that the commission would address certain points outlined in its resolution.

It calls for stricter hiring practices for all MPs, including a MP Performance Commission that would review application materials and background information. The background checks would include a formal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for personnel records to “any public agency that currently or formerly employed the applicant.”

Lathan and another board member, Tony DelGiorno, who introduced the resolution, drafted it while work on the Massey Commission was underway.

A Springfield Democrat, Lathan, who we reached Tuesday, said she would not rule out resubmitting the resolution requesting funding if the Massey Commission fails to meet its goals.

Supporters at Tuesday's prison committee meeting hoped that an independent investigation would “complement” the Massey Commission.

Some of these supporters also believed that a U.S. Department of Justice investigation could go beyond the goals of the Massey Commission by gaining access to the department's personnel files and hiring records.

Several board members called for the resignation of Sheriff Jack Campbell over the hiring of former deputy Sean P. Grayson, who is accused of Massey's murder.

Grayson and another deputy went to Massey's home in the 2800 block of Hoover Avenue in the early morning hours of July 6. Massey had called 911 about a possible burglar.

Personnel records show that Grayson was shuttled between six different agencies in four years. Grayson was charged with drunken driving twice before becoming a police officer and was discharged from the U.S. Army for “serious misconduct.”

The shooting, the details of which can be seen in publicly available bodycam footage, brought Springfield international attention.

Campbell, who had initially said resigning would be “irresponsible,” announced on August 9 that he would retire at the end of the month.

Lathan's ruling specifically stated that two or more DUI convictions in the past ten years would constitute “a bar to dismissal.”

The $100,000 allocated to the Massey Commission also included the hiring of a communications firm from St. Louis.

The proposed mission of the Massey Commission is to address systemic problems in law enforcement practices, mental illness management, and community relations, with the goal of “creating tangible, practical, and equitable solutions to improve the situation of all who call Sangamon County home.”

It is chaired by Jerry Kruse, dean and provost of the SIU School of Medicine, Reverend T. Ray McJunkins, pastor of Union Baptist Church, and Nina Harris, chair of the Illinois Commission on Equity and Inclusion.

The Commission will endeavour to present a comprehensive report containing findings, recommendations and proposed actions within one year.

Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788; [email protected]; X, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.

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