In a shocking twist that will surprise absolutely no one who believes murder has consequences, a former Illinois sheriff's deputy will not be getting an early medical release from his 20-year prison sentence for killing Sonya Massey. The Illinois prisoner review board unanimously voted on Friday to deny Sean Grayson's application for early release, despite his attorney's claims that his colon cancer has advanced to his liver and lungs.

Grayson, who is white, was convicted in October of second-degree murder for the 2024 shooting of Massey, a 36-year-old Black single mother who had called 911 about a possible prowler. The case sparked protests over systemic racism and prompted a US justice department review, because apparently the body-camera footage of Grayson shooting Massey in the face as she moved a pot of hot water from the stove and said, "I rebuke you in the name of Jesus," wasn't enough to convince everyone the first time.

Grayson was handed the maximum sentence of 20 years in January, but filed for early release in May, just six months into his sentence. In his application, he claimed Massey had "attacked me with a pot of boiling water," which is a creative interpretation of events, to say the least. He apologized at his sentencing, but apparently his remorse didn't extend to accepting the board's decision without a fight.

Sangamon County State's Attorney John Milhiser opposed the release, noting that Grayson's medical condition was already considered at sentencing. "To release Grayson under these circumstances would be a miscarriage of justice," he wrote, "and an insult to Sonya Massey's memory and family." The board agreed, and attorneys Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci, representing Massey's family, said the board "made the right decision." They added, "No one is above accountability, and a badge does not provide an early way out."

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, a Democrat, said the law requires the board to consider such requests, but called Massey's killing "a profound loss." "Sonya was innocent, unarmed, and calling law enforcement for help," he said. "It was a painful reminder that too many innocent Black Americans have faced this kind of violence - and they deserve justice." Indeed, they do. And sometimes, the system works - even if it takes a cancer diagnosis and a unanimous board vote to get there.