Al Sharpton, Founder and President of the National Action Network (NAN), issued the following statement on an Illinois judge’s 20-year sentence for the former sheriff’s deputy [Sean Grayson] responsible for the 2024 murder of Sonya Massey. While 20 years sends a message that there will be penalties, I believe this former deputy should have received a life sentence. This person took Sonya Massey’s life in a moment where she was in crisis and deserved help. In 20 years, this individual will walk free but Sonya Massey will still be gone. Sharpton and NAN joined a rally that summer to demand justice over her murder, pushing for stronger background checks in hiring law enforcement.