What is being described as a peace march has been scheduled for 3 p.m. July 22 in Springfield after the 2 p.m. release of body-worn camera video of the police-involved shooting of Sonya Massey.
The march, organized by nonprofit Intricate Minds on behalf of the Massey family, will begin outside Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 904 S. Martin Luther King Drive, and proceed about five blocks north to Comer Cox Park.
According to Intricate Minds, a barbeque and “open mic” event will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. at Comer Cox in the 300 block of Martin Luther King Drive.
It’s unclear exactly how the video of the shooting will be released online, but it will posted online at illinoistimes.com along with any breaking news updates in the case.
Massey, 36, a single mother of two teenagers, sustained a fatal head wound at about 1:20 a.m. July 6 inside her home in Woodside Township in the “Cabbage Patch” neighborhood.
Former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson, 30, of Riverton, faces three counts of first-degree murder, as well single counts of aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct in Massey’s death.
Grayson was arraigned and pleaded not guilty on July 18. Sangamon County Circuit Court Judge Ryan Cadagin ordered Grayson detained pretrial. Grayson is being held at the Menard County Jail in Petersburg.
Nationally known civil rights lawyer Ben Crump attended Massey’s funeral on July 19 and conducted a news conference that afternoon. Crump was expected to be in Springfield again July 22 to conduct another news conference after release of the bodycam video.
"With the release of body camera footage scheduled (July 22), please remember to practice self-care, give yourself grace and check in on those in your circle," the organization said on its Facebook page.
