Family speaks after release of police body cam footage in Sonya Massey killing

By Tierra StoneAFRO Interntierrastone@afro.com Protests across the country are increasing after the death of Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman from Sangamon, Ill. The mother of two was fatally shot by Sheriff Deputy Sean Grayson inside of her home on July 6.& The disturbing footage sparked national outrage after its release on July 22. During a press conference on July 21 members of Massey’s family, attorney Ben Crump and president of the Illinois Chapter of the NAACP, Teresa Haley, shed light on the case.& & & Shown here, Sonya Massey, in an undated photo with her son, Malachi Hill Massey, now 17 years old. (Credit: Photo courtesy of Ben Crump Law via AP)“This is a tragic event for us here in Springfield, we’ve had a lot of tragedies lately, but we’re used to it in the Black community—but we’re here to say enough is enough,” said Haley, during the conference that was broadcast by local news stations.& Ben Crump pointed out that Massey also struggled with mental health issues.“She was dealing with some issues and she needed a helping hand, she didn’t need a bullet to the face,’’ said Crump.& Massey’s family and friends spoke about her life and how...