County board OKs $10M Massey settlement; critics say it was 'woefully inadequate' – The State Journal-Register
The Sangamon County Board unanimously agreed to a $10 million out-of-court mediated settlement with the estate of Sonya Massey.
The dollar amount, worked out last week in sessions last week in Chicago, was quickly criticized by some board members and Massey family supporters, though they hoped the settlement would move the family forward in the grieving process.
Sontae Massey, a cousin to Sonya Massey, who was fatally shot in her home by a Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy, said he was “disgusted” by the proceeding and left with his fiancée, Margaritta Fultz, before the vote.
More:‘No confidence’: Massey family have misgivings about citizens commission
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who represented the Massey family, has a scheduled news conference Wednesday morning. Crump will be joined by members of the Massey family.
Crump was also expected to address legislative efforts of State Sen. Doris Turner, D-Springfield, to strengthen background checks and increase transparency in law enforcement hiring.
Sangamon County Assistant State’s Attorney Joel Benoit and two outside attorneys represented the county. The settlement was mediated by retired state judge Kay Hanlon, who is employed by ADR Systems.
Sean P. Grayson, who responded to Massey’s home in an unincorporated area of a Springfield neighborhood, shot Massey, a Black woman and the mother of two children, in the face.
Grayson was charged with first-degree murder and remains jailed.
Massey would have turned 37 years old Wednesday.
The settlement, said County Administrator Brian McFadden, will be paid through cash reserves.
The county has 100 funds which have reserves, he said.
“We will not be raising taxes. We will not be issuing additional debt. We will not be cutting services,” McFadden insisted.
Marc Ayers, a Democrat who represents District 12, said the payout, believed to be the largest in Sangamon County history, was “woefully inadequate.”
“I am pleased how quickly this did come to a settlement and that the family did sign off on the settlement,” Ayers said. “I’m at least pleased that there is an end in sight for the family and that they might be able to move on somehow. We shouldn’t have been here in the first place and that is the pressing thing about tonight’s vote.”
Teresa Haley of Haley & Associates also didn’t think the settlement was enough.
“Sonya’s life was worth so much more because this part of her life, that history, this legacy will go on for generations to experience,” she said.
“How can you provide restitution or make whole someone or family that has experienced a significant loss?” asked Reggie Guyton, who was sworn in as a new board member representing District 21. “There’s no way to make whole when someone has been needlessly, senselessly taken.”
While the settlement is a start, Guyton acknowledged, “we need to consider there is much distrust, much hurt that a community at large is feeling and we have an obligation to make things right.”
Ayers hoped it was a wakeup call to the community, to attend more county board and Massey Commission meetings.
“We owe it to taxpayers and the Massey family to not stop this fight and to continue these reforms wherever we can,” he said.
Guyton, an actor and singer, now represents which encompasses the south-central part of Springfield.
Guyton’s predecessor, Clyde Bunch, was recognized as the longest-serving county board member in Illinois when he died on Dec. 3. Bunch was first elected to the board in 1978.
Turner presented a proclamation about Bunch from Gov. JB Pritzker to the board.
Guyton has been vocal in calling for police reform.
“I feel I can provide a different perspective and hopefully sway the board to make some choices that are beneficial in the long run,” Guyton said Monday, prior to the Massey Commission meeting. “I think people know me as at least thoughtful.
“We have to do work, and I want to dig in.”
Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788; sspearie@sj-r.com; X, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.
source
This article was autogenerated from a news feed from CDO TIMES selected high quality news and research sources. There was no editorial review conducted beyond that by CDO TIMES staff. Need help with any of the topics in our articles? Schedule your free CDO TIMES Tech Navigator call today to stay ahead of the curve and gain insider advantages to propel your business!
The dollar amount, worked out last week in sessions last week in Chicago, was quickly criticized by some board members and Massey family supporters, though they hoped the settlement would move the family forward in the grieving process.
Sontae Massey, a cousin to Sonya Massey, who was fatally shot in her home by a Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy, said he was “disgusted” by the proceeding and left with his fiancée, Margaritta Fultz, before the vote.
More:‘No confidence’: Massey family have misgivings about citizens commission
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who represented the Massey family, has a scheduled news conference Wednesday morning. Crump will be joined by members of the Massey family.
Crump was also expected to address legislative efforts of State Sen. Doris Turner, D-Springfield, to strengthen background checks and increase transparency in law enforcement hiring.
Sangamon County Assistant State’s Attorney Joel Benoit and two outside attorneys represented the county. The settlement was mediated by retired state judge Kay Hanlon, who is employed by ADR Systems.
Sean P. Grayson, who responded to Massey’s home in an unincorporated area of a Springfield neighborhood, shot Massey, a Black woman and the mother of two children, in the face.
Grayson was charged with first-degree murder and remains jailed.
Massey would have turned 37 years old Wednesday.
The settlement, said County Administrator Brian McFadden, will be paid through cash reserves.
The county has 100 funds which have reserves, he said.
“We will not be raising taxes. We will not be issuing additional debt. We will not be cutting services,” McFadden insisted.
Marc Ayers, a Democrat who represents District 12, said the payout, believed to be the largest in Sangamon County history, was “woefully inadequate.”
“I am pleased how quickly this did come to a settlement and that the family did sign off on the settlement,” Ayers said. “I’m at least pleased that there is an end in sight for the family and that they might be able to move on somehow. We shouldn’t have been here in the first place and that is the pressing thing about tonight’s vote.”
Teresa Haley of Haley & Associates also didn’t think the settlement was enough.
“Sonya’s life was worth so much more because this part of her life, that history, this legacy will go on for generations to experience,” she said.
“How can you provide restitution or make whole someone or family that has experienced a significant loss?” asked Reggie Guyton, who was sworn in as a new board member representing District 21. “There’s no way to make whole when someone has been needlessly, senselessly taken.”
While the settlement is a start, Guyton acknowledged, “we need to consider there is much distrust, much hurt that a community at large is feeling and we have an obligation to make things right.”
Ayers hoped it was a wakeup call to the community, to attend more county board and Massey Commission meetings.
“We owe it to taxpayers and the Massey family to not stop this fight and to continue these reforms wherever we can,” he said.
Guyton, an actor and singer, now represents which encompasses the south-central part of Springfield.
Guyton’s predecessor, Clyde Bunch, was recognized as the longest-serving county board member in Illinois when he died on Dec. 3. Bunch was first elected to the board in 1978.
Turner presented a proclamation about Bunch from Gov. JB Pritzker to the board.
Guyton has been vocal in calling for police reform.
“I feel I can provide a different perspective and hopefully sway the board to make some choices that are beneficial in the long run,” Guyton said Monday, prior to the Massey Commission meeting. “I think people know me as at least thoughtful.
“We have to do work, and I want to dig in.”
Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788; sspearie@sj-r.com; X, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.
source
This article was autogenerated from a news feed from CDO TIMES selected high quality news and research sources. There was no editorial review conducted beyond that by CDO TIMES staff. Need help with any of the topics in our articles? Schedule your free CDO TIMES Tech Navigator call today to stay ahead of the curve and gain insider advantages to propel your business!
