'Jesus' was one of the last words Sonya Massey said before she was gunned down in her own home in Springfield, Illinois, by officers she had called and invited in looking for help
Sonay Massey was fatally shot by Illinois cops in her own home seconds after saying "I rebuke you in the name of Jesus."
With the officer who shot her - Sean Grayson - now charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct, her words will likely be used in court by his defense.
Sonya apologized and ducked before the Illinois sheriff's deputy, Grayson, shot her three times - leading to her fatal injury, according to a body-cam video released on Monday. Officers had asked her to remove a pot of boiling water from the stove but when she did she said: "I rebuke you in the name of Jesus."
READ MORE: Sonya Massey's sister shares heartbreaking texts before cop shooting during poignant funeral service
READ MORE: Cop who fatally shot Sonya Massey in the face told partner not to get medic kit in bid to save her
The phrase is popular in the Christian community used to rebuke Satan and what they may deem Satanic practices. Despite this, it's not supported in Biblical passages according Verse by Verse Ministry. During a news conference on Monday afternoon, the family's attorney, civil rights lawyer Ben Crump, labeled Grayson's "revisionist" justification as "disingenuous."
When asked why Massey told Grayson, "I rebuke you in the name of Jesus," Crump explained that she had been receiving treatment for mental health issues. He pointed out that she invoked God's name from the start of the encounter and requested her Bible after the deputies entered.
The footage validated the prosecutor's previous story of the tense incident where Grayson shouted at Sonya from across a kitchen counter to put down a pot of hot water before threatening and ultimately shooting her. Authorities reported that Sonya called 911 prior to the event because of a possible intruder sighting.
The deputies arrived at her Springfield home just before 1 am July 6, which is situated approximately 200 miles southwest of Chicago. Upon their arrival, they noticed a black SUV with shattered windows parked in her driveway.
After knocking on the door, it reportedly took Massey three minutes to open it, after which she uttered "Don't hurt me." Evidently disoriented during their interaction, she repeatedly informed them of her need for help, mentioning God and expressed ignorance about the vehicle's owner.
Within the home, deputies appeared frustrated as she sat on her couch, rifling through her purse while they requested identification to finalize a report. It was then that Grayson noticed a pot on a lit stove flame.
"We don't need a fire while we're here," he commented. Immediately, Sonya rose and relocated the pot near the sink. A moment of shared laughter ensued between Massey and Grayson over her pan of "steaming hot water" before she suddenly said: "I rebuke you in the name of Jesus."
Suddenly the tensions ramped up and Grayson can be heard saying: "You better (expletive) not or I swear to God I'll (expletive) shoot you in your (expletive) face." Then, Grayson drew his 9mm handgun and insisted she let go of the pot.
She responded, "OK, I'm sorry." In the footage captured by Grayson's body camera, his weapon was trained on her, causing her to raise her hands defensively.
Stationed in the living room, across from Sonya and separated by a counter that divided the kitchen and living area, Grayson had both "distance and relative cover" from Sonya and the hot water pot, according to prosecutors. Having shot Sonya, Grayson dissuaded his colleague from retrieving a medical kit for her.
READ MORE: Louisiana man 'severed mom's arm' in horror chainsaw attack as suspect 'bites' arresting officers
READ MORE: Kentucky mom 'kept 10-year-old daughter in dog cage for days' and 'threatened to slit her throat'
"You can go get it, but that's a headshot," he noted. "There's nothing you can do, man." Added him: "What else do we do? I'm not taking hot (expletive) boiling water to the (expletive) face". Realizing that Massey was still gasping for breath, he conceded to fetching his own medical kit. His partner added, "We can at least try to stop the bleeding."
Grayson informed the responding officers, "She had boiling water and came at me, with boiling water. She said she was going to rebuke me in the name of Jesus and came at me with boiling water." Grayson, who was dismissed last week, is currently detained in the Sangamon County Jail without bond.
If found guilty, he could face prison sentences ranging from 45 years to life for murder, 6 to 30 years for battery, and 2 to 5 years for misconduct.
