Crime
Illinois sheriff’s deputy charged with murder shot Sonya Massey in the face after ordering her to move a pot of water

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — An Illinois sheriff’s deputy accused of murdering a Black woman shot her in the face during a tense standoff over a pot of water in her home, then discouraged his partner from trying to save her, authorities said Thursday.
The details were in a court document filed to support keeping fired Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson in custody without bail. County District Judge Ryan M. Cadagin agreed, denying Grayson pretrial release at a hearing Thursday in Springfield.
In the courtroom, which was guarded by a dozen sheriff’s deputies and with three more patrolling the courtroom, Cadagin described the actions of which the former deputy is accused as “such a huge departure from the expectations of civil society.”
Sonya Massey, 36, was killed in her home in the Illinois capital, about 200 miles (322 kilometers) south of Chicago, after officers responded to her 911 call about a possible burglar in the early morning hours of July 6.
Prosecutors said that after Grayson allowed Massey to move a pot of water heated on the stove and set it on the counter, Grayson “aggressively yelled” at Massey over the pot and pulled out a 9 mm handgun. Massey put her hands up, said “excuse me” and ducked before she was shot in the face. Grayson also discouraged the other deputy from taking his medical kit, prosecutors said.
“The second deputy continued to provide aid and stayed with Ms. Massey until medical assistance arrived,” wrote Mary Rodgers, an assistant state’s attorney. Grayson “did not attempt to provide aid to Ms. Massey at any time.”
Grayson, 30, who’s white, has been charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and abuse of authority. He pleaded not guilty during his initial court appearance Thursday.
More than 30 members of Massey’s family and their supporters sat in the courtroom Thursday, several of whom declined to comment.
No one has challenged the state’s contention that the body-worn camera footage supports the first condition of Grayson’s detention — that there may be a strong presumption that the conduct alleged in the indictment occurred. Authorities have said they plan to publicly release the body-worn camera footage on Monday.
“At no point did the defendant demonstrate anything but callousness towards human life,” Rodgers said.
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Defense attorney Dan Fultz argued for Grayson’s release, saying the state’s case was inadequate when weighed against other arguments. Fultz said Grayson posed no threat to the community because he was compliant and turned himself in to police inside a half-hour of the warrant being issued.
He said the Army veteran owns a home in Riverton, a community east of Springfield, with his fiancée, whom he plans to marry in the fall. His retention could be a burden on the county, he said, because of Stage 3 colon cancer diagnosed last fall that requires special treatment.
Fultz requested Grayson’s release on the conditions that weapons be faraway from his home, that he undergo a mental health evaluation and that he be placed on 24-hour electronic monitoring.
Cadagin concluded that Massey, who weighed about 110 kilos (50 kilograms), posed no threat to Grayson, who was 6-foot-3, 240 kilos (190 centimeters) tall and 240 kilos (103 kilograms), who was armed and accompanied by one other deputy, and who refused to render aid after being shot.
Sheriff Jack Campbell said Wednesday that Grayson was fired since it is obvious the deputy “did not conduct himself in accordance with our standards or in accordance with our training. … We assume a tremendous amount of responsibility with our badge, and if that responsibility is abused, there should be consequences.”
Ben Crump, a lawyer for the Massey family, said the charges were “a step towards justice for Sonia’s loved ones, especially her children, who have endured unimaginable pain and suffering since learning of this tragedy.”
About 200 people gathered at the NAACP headquarters in Springfield on Wednesday to show support for Massey and her family.
“I am outraged that another innocent black woman has lost her life at the hands of a police officer,” Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said after the arraignment.
Grayson is due back in court on Aug. 26. Fultz said he has been with the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Department for about 18 months, after serving as an officer for about seven years with several other police agencies in central Illinois.
Crime
A racist attack on a school bus leads to hate crime – essence

Getty images
Return to school was terribly disturbing for a 10-12 months-old black girl in New York. Only days after the tutorial 12 months, the racist attack on the school bus left her visible scars and a terrifying memory, which she probably is not going to forget soon. Local police treat this incident as a hate crime.
Her attackers, 10 and 11 years old, are white and so they were each accused of harassment of the second degree according to CBS affiliation On. The 11-12 months-old was also accused of assaulting a third degree as a hate crime.
“This is probably the most professionally destructive event since I started working in Gouverneur in 1984,” said school curator Lauren French in an interview with this week.
The young girl attacked left the attack with a black eye after hitting, hair loss from his pulling out and a bruised knee. Throughout this incident, it mocked with racial insults. The girl’s mother filed a formal criticism to the local police on September 10. After a two -week investigation, her attackers were accused.
The Tiffany N. Spicer bus assistant was also accused, who’s white and watched the incident playing without intervention. He reports that he’s within the face of three cases of exposure to the nice of the kid.
“I strongly believe that we are better than that,” the Frenchman told reporters. “And we must take a position that model what we believe and puts our conviction in the foreground and determines the expectations where it should be that all people are treated with human dignity.”
Governor Andrew Cuomo weighed the case through a statement obtained by . “The fact that her classmates allegedly committed this, on a school bus with the current adult monitor, makes this incident even more shocking and disturbing,” said Cuomo.
The governor ordered the division of human rights to open an investigation into an attack that lasted 20 minutes. Task group for hate crimes was also asked to help the local authorities.
Crime
Ugandan judge convicted of forcing a woman to slavery in Great Britain


The British jury sentenced the United Nations judge to force a woman to work as a slave after convincing her to arrive in Great Britain
Court documents show that Lydia Mugamba, 49, judge of the Supreme Court in Uganda, was found guilty conspiracy to facilitate the commission on violating the British immigration law, facilitating travel to use, forced someone to work and a conspiracy to intimidate the witness.
According to prosecutors, Mugamba lured the unnamed sacrifice to come to Great Britain Under the guise that it would be Work in the diplomat office and residential.
“Mrs. Mugamba used her knowledge and strength to cheat (her alleged sacrifice) to come to Great Britain, using her naivety to make her to work for her,” said prosecutor Caroline Haughey KC in opening court statements, LBC Reported.
The authorities accused the judge Taking the victim’s passport And forcing her to work as a maid and babysitter without remuneration.
Prosecutors also claimed that Mugamebe was conspiracy with the deputy of the High Commissioner from Uganda, John Leonard Mugerwa, who organized a young woman got here to England. Mugwa denies all offenses.
The victim sought the assistance of a friend who contacted the authorities, causing an investigation.
“Lydia Mugamba used her position to use a sensitive young woman, controlling her freedom and doing work without payment,” Eran Cutliffe from the special crime department of the Crown Prosecutor’s Office said in a press release. “Thanks to the victim’s courage during the appointment, you could put Mugambia to the justice system and be held responsible for her actions.”
Tell him it was continuing the doctorateN Law on the University of Oxford, when crimes occurred. According to its side, the United Nations profile was appointed to one of the international courts of the worldwide body in May 2023 and was to take a three -year term.
Mugambe will likely be convicted in the Crown Court Oxford on May 2, 2025.
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Crime
Watch: MGM+”Godfather of Harlem” Season 4 [Trailer] – essence

Thanks to the kindness of MGM+
Today, MGM+ officially abandoned the primary trailer of season 4, which provides fans an exciting have a look at the subsequent chapter of Johnson’s bumpy reign. Starring Academy Forest Whitaker, a criminal drama recognized by critics, returns with greater struggles for power at high rates, explosive confrontations and the relentless struggle for Harlem’s future.
Season 4 begins when Johnson stands within the face of recent and dangerous opponents who threaten to dismantle every thing he built. Thanks to the changing tides and political tensions in history, he must move in treacherous alliances, protecting his community from determined forces to bring him.
The band’s star forged joins Whitaker, including Ilfenesh Hader, Lucy Fry, Antoinette Crowe-Leagacy, Erik Lray Harvey, Michael Raymond James, Elvis Nolasco and Erik Palladino. This season, he also introduces a brand new key character Lucas, presented by the award-winning Dayytime Emmy® and NBA Celebrity All-Star MVP Rome Flynn.
Seasons 1-3 at the moment are available for streaming to MGM+ and Hulu. Select your calendars – season 4 premiere on April 13, 2025.
Watch the official trailer of the series below.
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