‘She needed a helping hand, not a bullet to the face’: Crump speaks out on Sonya Massey autopsy

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon has released the autopsy of Sonya Massey Friday morning, confirming her cause of death.

The autopsy revealed that the bullet hit Massey beneath her left eye and exited on the posterior left side of her upper neck. The gun shot also resulted in a perforation to her left internal carotid artery, a skull fracture and hemorrhages.

Massey’s time of death was 1:47 a.m. on July 6, just an hour after she initially called 911 .

Forensic pathologist Nathaniel Patterson wrote in his conclusion of the report: “Based on the information available to me, and on the autopsy findings, it is my opinion that Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old black woman, died as a result of a gunshot wound of the head.”

Attorney Ben Crump spoke with media Friday morning following the release of the autopsy.

Crump pointed out the autopsy confirms that former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson shot downward at Massey. Crump also pointed out the size difference as Massey was barely taller than 5 feet, while Grayson is more than 6 feet tall.

“This was just a senseless, unnecessary, excessive use of force,” the attorney said.

Massey’s 17-year-old son Malachi revealed law enforcement had responded to Massey’s residence for a separate call concerning her mental health — less than 24 hours before the shooting happened.

“She needed a helping hand, not a bullet to the face,” Crump said.

Crump also revealed at the press conference his legal team is aware of two excessive force complaints against Grayson with no determinations filed, including one against an African American.

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