Sonya Massey’s Family Angered Over Ex-Deputy’s Lesser Conviction, Reveals Apology From His Mother
"He told my child he would shoot her in the F-ing face, and he did it. And all we got was a second-degree murder conviction out of this?"
Members of Sonya Massey’s family voiced their frustration on Oct. 29 after Sean Grayson, originally charged with three counts of first-degree murder, was convicted of a lesser charge of second-degree murder, CBS News reports. The verdict spared him a potential life sentence for killing Massey, a 36-year-old unarmed Black woman, who was shot in her kitchen after calling the police for help.
“He told my child he would shoot her in the F-ing face, and he did it. And all we got was a second-degree murder conviction out of this?” Massey’s father, James Wilburn, said. “He was in six police departments in three and a half years. That is shameful.”
Grayson’s family seemed to show remorse, said Teresa Haley, a family friend.
“The mother came over and apologized, and she said, ‘We did not raise him that way. And I’m really sorry for your family,'” Haley said. “My heart goes out to them. We lost Sonya, but they lost a son, and what he did for Sonya, he has to pay, and they realize that.”
Grayson’s family offered additional apologies in the courtroom and gave their seats to Massey’s loved ones who came for the verdict, according to CBS News’ Jericka Dunkin.
Grayson, a Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy in Illinois, shot Massey after she called police to check on a suspected prowler. He claimed he acted in self-defense, saying Massey approached a boiling pot of water while behaving erratically, and he perceived it as a threat. Prosecutors said that he failed to provide medical aid afterward.
The trial centered on disturbing body cam footage from Grayson’s partner. A 12-person jury deliberated about 12 hours before reaching a verdict.
Grayson’s sentencing is set for January. He could receive a maximum of 20 years in prison. Earlier this year, Sangamon County agreed to a $10 million wrongful death settlement with Massey’s family.
Jamaicans Offered Free Texting Service After Devastation Of Hurricane Melissa
Flow Jamaica provided activation instructions for customers on its website to help customers connect to Starlink.
On Oct. 29, Liberty Caribbean, the parent company of Flow Jamaica, announced the deployment of its free emergency communication partnership with Elon Musk’s Starlink.
The addition of Starlink to the country’s communication infrastructure is intended to bolster network connectivity across the island after Hurricane Melissa. Customers of Digicel and Flow can take advantage of the offer to boost reception and connectivity using Starlink satellites.
In a news release obtained by St. Vincent Times, Inge Smidts, CEO of Liberty Caribbean, said, “Throughout the day we worked closely with Starlink and their Direct to Cell division to restore as many communication options as possible to our customers in Jamaica, and now we’re able to also offer data messaging connectivity to over 70% of our mobile data customers. This means we can now provide essential emergency mobile data connectivity in addition to SMS and text on the FLOW Starlink network,” she added.
Flow provided activation instructions for customers on its website:
Android Users: Open the Settings app, tap Network & Internet (or Connections), then Mobile Network, select SIM card if dual-SIM, and toggle the VoLTE calls or Enhanced 4G LTE Mode switch to the “on” position to activate the “FLOW STARLINK” network.
iPhone Users: Open Settings, tap Cellular, then Cellular Data Options, then select Voice & Data and choose LTE, VoLTE On. For iPhones with iOS 17 or later, the VoLTE setting is enabled by default. Satellite-augmented mobile connectivity offers an added layer of protection in regions vulnerable to hostile climate shifts.
The partnership comes amid concern over the impact of Hurricane Melissa. Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica on Oct. 28 as a Category 5. The island sustained winds of up to 185 mph, making it the strongest hurricane ever recorded to hit Jamaica. The storm fell on the western parish of St. Elizabeth and other coastal areas, leaving entire communities underwater and more than half a million residents without power.
After ripping through Jamaica, the storm moved into eastern Cuba, where heavy rainfall, high winds, and widespread evacuations were reported. Authorities warned of extensive infrastructure damage, severe flooding, landslides, and long-term recovery needs.
7 Activists Who Center Survivors And Domestic Violence Awareness
Domestic violence is often an unseen crisis
Domestic violence is often an unseen crisis that occurs behind closed doors. In the United States, more than 35.6 % of women and roughly 28.5 % of men are affected by DV. Under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), the term covers sexual abuse, as well as any coercive behavior used to assert power over an intimate partner. All 50 states have enacted legislation that imposes penalties and funds services for victims of domestic abuse. Black activists who are confronting violence lead with personal experience and exercise cultural responsibility. They call out the domestic violence system, the lack of access that brings about positive outcomes, and are redefining policy, advocacy, and healing.
Beverly Gooden
Beverly Gooden, a writer and social activist from Cleveland, Ohio, sparked the #WhyIStayed campaign in 2014. The hashtag turned the dialogue on its head, moving the focus from scrutinising victims to probing why abusers resort to violence. Now based in Houston, Gooden has addressed audiences at a myriad of platforms and college campuses. Gooden launched the movement in the wake of the September 2014 Ray Rice domestic‑violence video. Having endured abuse herself, Gooden aims to amplify survivors’ voices and expose the misunderstandings that often mute them. #WhyIStayed morphed into a conversation giving survivors a moment to be seen and raising awareness about the need to leave abusive relationships.
Sil Lai Abrams
Sil Lai Abrams is a writer, speaker, and domestic‑violence‑awareness activist. Abrams put those roles into practice by founding Truth In Reality, a social‑advocacy nonprofit. To push back against the way the media often frames women of color and to help end violence in Black communities, she kicked off the Redefining HERstory campus tour. Abrams’ advocacy journey began in the mid‑2000s with volunteer stints at domestic‑violence shelters. By 2007, Abrams had transitioned to full‑time work in the field. Having survived assault and domestic violence herself, she unpacks the race and gender that determine how Black women are affected by and portrayed within cycles of abuse. Her advocacy spotlights the ways media portrayals and entrenched cultural stereotypes not only fuel violence but also silence and overlook survivors.
Nupol Kiazolu
Born in 2000 in Brooklyn, New York, Nupol Kiazolu has devoted her work to championing survivors of sexual violence, homelessness, and civil rights struggles. Raised in a shelter, Kiazolu carries an awareness of the vulnerabilities that affect Black communities, channeling that insight into an intersectional activism that blends youthful energy with survivor‑focused support. Kiazolu leads efforts that uplift survivors of intimate‑partner violence, weaving together grassroots organizing with avenues for healing. As a representative of a generation of Black domestic‑violence advocates, Kiazolu stresses the need to reach younger survivors and to fuse community activism with restorative care.
Dr. E. Faye Williams
Dr. E. Faye Williams, a civil‑rights attorney and political activist, has spent decades championing women’s rights and confronting violence within the Black community. While serving as president of the National Congress of Black Women, Dr. Williams helped lift women’s voices, thrust the conversation about abuse into the public arena, and pushed for legislative measures, including the reauthorizing of the Violence Against Women Act. Williams’ career has been dedicated to supporting women and families across the nation. Drawing on her experience as a survivor of abuse, Williams insists on systemic safeguards for survivors and advocates for sweeping structural change.
Paméla Michelle Tate, Ph.D.
Paméla Michelle Tate, Ph.D., has spent more than 18 years in San Francisco, in the trenches of domestic violence prevention, wearing the hats of advocate, educator, and speaker. As its director, Dr. Tate now steers Black Women Revolt Against Domestic Violence, a Bay Area resource hub devoted to women and families. In the course of training hundreds of advocates, Tate has repeatedly seen how Black women and their loved ones run into roadblocks. Tate works to fortify community‑based responses, foregrounding attuned advocacy and guiding survivors through support networks with impediments.
Aishah Shahidah Simmons
Aishah Shahidah Simmons, a Black feminist, lesbian, survivor-healer, documentary filmmaker, author, and educator, centers advocacy against sexual and domestic violence in Black communities. Simmons’ acclaimed film, NO! The Rape Documentary (2006) and subsequent anthology, Love WITH Accountability: Digging Up the Roots of Child Sexual Abuse, expose domestic and sexual violence in Black communities and promote survivor-driven healing. Based in Philadelphia and active internationally, Simmons’ activism and work span almost four decades. As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and adult rape, Simmons uses creative work to bridge cultural, gender, race, and sexuality dimensions of violence and healing, shaping how domestic/sexual violence is discussed in Black communities, accountability, and cultural transformation.
Fallon MK
Fallon MK, a psychotherapist licensed to practice, channels the reality of her own escape from domestic violence into a force that empowers victims and amplifies public consciousness. She works to strip the stigma that clings to survivors’ testimonies, underscoring that abuse is fundamentally an exertion of control, rather than simply a physical assault. Recent articles highlight how her outspoken advocacy now resonates on a scale. Having grown up in a single‑parent household and later found herself caught in relationships, she now calls for voices to be raised, for solidarity to be forged, and for the cycle of abuse to be shattered.
Birmingham’s New Chief Of Police Michael Pickett Has Social Media Going Wild
Birmingham's new chief of police has social media going wild over how "fine" he is.
Since being appointed Birmingham, Alabama’s new Chief of Police, Michael Pickett has drawn attention on social media for the physical appeal he brings to the job.
A quick search of his name on social media reveals numerous accounts praising Michael Pickett, the Birmingham Chief of Police, who was appointed to the role in April, for his looks.
“Birmingham, Alabama, police chief so damn fine yall omg,” one X user wrote.
Pickett has gained renewed attention in Birmingham following his appointment as Chief of Police. The title came after serving as Interim Chief since December, following Chief Scott Thurmond’s retirement. A 20-year department veteran and graduate of Ramsay High School and Miles College, Pickett began his career as a patrol officer in the West Precinct.
Throughout his career, Pickett has served in various roles, including undercover work and overseeing safety and security for major events like The World Games. As Deputy Chief of Special Operations, he launched Operation Knight Rider to combat illegal and dangerous exhibition driving in the city.
During his time as interim chief, Pickett strengthened partnerships with Jefferson County Sheriff Mark Pettway and with federal and state law enforcement agencies. Now, under his leadership, the Birmingham Police Department aims to focus on recruiting the next generation of law enforcement officers.
“I want to thank Mayor Woodfin for his confidence in me and support for the Birmingham Police Department,” Pickett said. “From the mayor and council’s support of the $16 million police recruitment and retention plan to a commitment to new resources, and investment in a comprehensive violence reduction strategy, we are working to create the next generation of effective law enforcement in Birmingham.”
Maryland Man Arrested On Peeping Tom Charges After Being Busted Dressed As Woman In Women’s Locker Room
Forty-four-year-old Tshikundi Taty will appear in court Nov. 14 on several charges
Police have arrested Tshikundi Taty, who is accused of disguising himself as a woman and recording images of women in the showers of locker rooms in two fitness clubs in Maryland.
According to The Washington Post, the 44-year-old suspected voyeur was arrested Oct. 29 in Montgomery County after he was followed into a women’s locker room at a health club by undercover police officers who discovered him in disguise. Taty has been charged with two counts of video surveillance “with prurient intent” and two visual surveillance counts known as “peeping tom,” court records reflect.
Police officials have stated that the suspect has allegedly recorded at least four unsuspecting women inside health club showers in two different counties, Montgomery and Prince George’s (Onelife Fitness in Germantown and LA Fitness on Belcrest Center Drive). “Detectives are concerned there may be additional victims,” Montgomery police stated.
At the initial court hearing on Oct. 20, Judge Aileen Oliver was shown pictures by Assistant State’s Attorney Caitlin Murphy of Taty dressed in women’s clothing after his arrest. Prosecutors requested that Taty be held without bond, citing a potential danger to the community. Taty’s defense attorney, Clayton Hough, asked that his client be released, noting that he lives with his wife and two children and, as the sole provider, works at a local food market. The children are four months and two years old.
Hough said, “These are not violent crimes. They’re problematic, obviously, as alleged, but they’re not violent.”
Oliver disagreed with the defense attorney, stating that he represented a public safety risk and “that people cannot feel safe going to the gym and taking a shower is a problem.”
The Maryland man is also facing charges in Prince George’s County, a peeping Tom count and a trespassing count. In that case, he is being represented by the Maryland Public Defender’s Office.
Taty’s next scheduled court date is Nov. 14, where he faces trial for both cases. He faces a potential sentence of anywhere from up to 30 days to a year in jail if found guilty of any of the charges, with a minimum fine of $500 and a maximum of $2,500. The peeping tom count carries a penalty of up to 30 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. Trespassing private property carries up to 90 days in prison and up to a $500 fine, according to court documents. Meanwhile, the prurient intent video recording charges in Montgomery carry a penalty of up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.
The Grammy-winning dancehall artist took to Instagram on Oct. 30 to announce his campaign to provide relief for Jamaicans affected by Hurricane Melissa, one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record. As part of the effort, Sean Paul is asking for donations, which he’ll match through his foundation.
“Right now, my island of Jamaica is going through a really tough time,” Paul captioned a video announcement. “Hurricane Melissa has caused serious damage, and many of our brothers and sisters are struggling — families displaced, homes destroyed, and communities in need of help.”
“Through the Sean Paul Foundation, we’ve partnered with Food For The Poor Jamaica to bring relief directly to those affected,” he continued.
Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica on Oct. 28 as a Category 5 storm, with maximum sustained winds of 185 mph. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warned the impact could be “catastrophic,” and one cyclone expert called it “the storm of the century.”
In the aftermath of the devastating storm, Sean Paul is stepping up to provide aid and encouraging others to support relief efforts.
“I’m asking all my fans, friends, and supporters worldwide, if you can, please give what you can,” Paul said. “Every donation counts, no matter how small. Together, we can make a big difference. And to show how much this means to me, I’ll be matching every dollar raised, up to fifty thousand dollars. Together, we can double the impact and help even more families get back on their feet.”
The Jamaican government reported that roughly 140,000 people were cut off as the island endured the storm. In the aftermath, authorities recovered at least four bodies in heavily affected St. Elizabeth Parish, and the Jamaica Constabulary Force confirmed eight additional deaths in Westmoreland, Hanover, and St. James. Three more people died while preparing for the storm.
Hurricane Melissa is reported to have led to at least 30 deaths after wreaking havoc across the Caribbean, marking one of the strongest Atlantic storms in over 150 years. Heavy rains and powerful winds caused widespread destruction in Jamaica, Cuba, and the Bahamas, though the full extent of the storm’s devastation may not be known for days or even weeks.
Righting Wrongs: MFA Boston Compensates Heirs Of Enslaved Artist, Returns 19-Century Vessels
One of Drake’s great-great-great-great grandsons, children’s book author and producer Yaba Baker, says the restitution process helps to answer his ancestor’s question seen on one of the vessels.
In a rare move, the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) Boston did the right thing, agreeing to return two 1857 vessels by Black enslaved potter David Drake to his descendants, The Art Newspaper reports.
A museum spokesperson stated that Drake’s works were stolen, depriving him of his creations without compensation. “This marks the first time that the museum has resolved an ownership claim for works of art that were wrongfully taken under the conditions of slavery in the 19th-century US,” the statement read.
The artwork in question is two vessels created by Drake, born into slavery around 1800 in Edgefield, South Carolina. The agreement between the descendants and the museum keeps one of the vessels on loan to the museum for at least two years. The other is described as a masterpiece known as the “Poem Jar.” It has a heartbreaking inscription on the vessel from the artist in light of Drake’s forced separation from a woman historians believe to be his wife, and her two sons. Housed at the Greenville County Museum of Art, it reads: “I wonder where is all my relation.”
One of Drake’s great-great-great-great-grandsons, children’s book author and producer Yaba Baker, says the restitution process helps to answer his ancestor’s question. He celebrated MFA for “showing integrity and leadership” and giving the family the opportunity to connect to Drake’s legacy, saying, “to go from being slaves to having a family of engineers and doctors and people in executive positions is a testament to Dave’s legacy in a different way.”
The “Poem Jar” also features hints of Drake’s financial exploitation, with another inscription reading, “I made this Jar = for cash/Though its called Lucre trash.” MFA originally purchased the work in 1997 from a South Carolina dealer. The museum purchased it back from the heirs for an undisclosed sum and includes “a certificate of ethical ownership.”
In a historic resolution, the MFA has restored ownership of two monumental stoneware vessels by the enslaved potter and poet David Drake to his known descendants. pic.twitter.com/RBbw6pFtdT
Attorney George Fatheree, representing the Drake’s family, labeled the agreement as “groundbreaking in the art world.” “The application of principles of ethical restitution to artwork created by enslaved Americans, this is the first time that has ever occurred to my knowledge,” he continued, according to CNN. Chair of the art of Americas at the MFA, Ethan Lasser, said the museum learned its lesson after restituting artwork rooted in Nazi culture.
After saying the museum became “very expert in Holocaust restitution,” he learned of issues regarding African and Native American collections. “And we want to bring the same standard to the fullness of our collection,” he said.
For decades, museums, both stateside and internationally, have been accused of stealing artwork, literature, and more from African nations, the formerly enslaved, and more. Actor Michael B. Jordan, who played villain Killmonger in Marvel’s Black Panther, made reference in the film, stealing back a mask featured in later scenes. In May 2025, Harvard University’s Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology agreed to finally return 175-year-old photos believed to depict early enslaved people to the International African American Museum (IAMM) in South Carolina after a 15-year legal battle.
‘Brick Lady’ Gets 90-Day Jail Sentence For $42K GoFundMe Scam
The Texas woman claimed that after she refused to give Olan Douglas her phone number, he assaulted her with a brick.
On Oct. 29, Roda Osman, a 36-year-old who claimed a man struck her in the face with a brick, was found guilty of theft after she scammed $42,000 on GoFundMe.
Osman has been sentenced to 10 years’ probation and 90 days in jail. Additionally, she will need to comply with other conditions, including full restitution of $42,302 and a social media ban for the length of her sentence, The Houston Chronicle reported.
Osma’s conviction comes after a Sept. 3, 2023, incident. The Texas woman claimed that after she refused to give Olan Douglas her phone number, he assaulted her, hitting her in the head. Shelaunched a GoFundMe campaign, and sympathizers contributed thousands of dollars to help cover medical bills.
Though many believed Osman’s story, prosecutors presented surveillance footage showing the woman did not truthfully represent the events of that night. Video of the incident shows Osman in a verbal altercation. During the incident, Osman can be seen attacking Douglas before he struck her with what appeared to be a plastic water bottle. The incident occurred outside a Houston nightclub. Court evidence revealed the funds raised on the crowdfunding campaign were spent on luxury rides, restaurant visits, and spa trips to New York City and Jamaica.
Osman’s defense has not commented on the outcome. However, the legal team filed for a $50,000 appeal bond, which was subsequently denied.
After the trial, Douglas spoke to Click2Houston about the toll Osman’s lies took on his life.
“It seems like she gets on social media and just, you know, manipulates and scams people,” he said. “She kind of made the couple months that happened in my life a living hell.”
Douglas is pleased with the sentence. He believes many people needlessly lie on social media, and there are little to no consequences for the behavior. In this instance, he is glad some form of justice is being served.
“That’s crazy, that’s wonderful,” he said. “Usually nothing happens. I’m very much happy.”
NFL Star Saquon Barkley Invests In Startup AI Data Center
This is the running back's latest investment in a startup
Former New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley has joined a group of investors backing the AI data center startup Crusoe. The company has announced that it has completed the initial closing of a $1.375 billion Series E round, raising its expected valuation to over $10 billion.
Crusoe describes itself as a global leader in AI infrastructure, spanning rapid energy sourcing, AI-optimized data center design and construction, and a high-performance AI cloud platform. Barkley was involved in the latest funding round, which included 30 other companies, such as NVIDIA, Salesforce Ventures, and Fidelity Management & Research Company.
This news comes in the same week he scored two touchdowns (one on a 65-yard run and another on a catch), ran for 150 yards, and helped the Philadelphia Eagles blow out his former team, the Giants, 38-20, ESPN reported. His play earned him the Player of the Week award.
He recorded two touchdowns and the most of your votes. Saquon is your @Toyota Player of the Week.
Barkley, who, earlier this year, became the highest-paid running back in NFL history when he extended his deal with the Philadelphia Eagles after helping the team in a Super Bowl victory. His contract extension is worth $41.2 million, with $36 million guaranteed, including $15 million in incentives. Yet, he is banking on making more money off the football field with several investments in his portfolio.
According to The Profile, he has an extensive portfolio of private startups, which have typically received checks between $250,000 and $500,000 from the record-breaking athlete. The companies in his list of investments are Anthropic (currently valued at $183 billion), Anduril ($30.5 billion), Ramp ($22.5 billion), Cognition ($9.8 billion), Neuralink ($9 billion), Strike (~$1 billion), and Polymarket (~$1 billion). He has also invested in and partnered with Founders Fund, Thrive Capital, Silver Point Capital, and Multicoin Capital.
In other news, Barkley suffered a slight groin injury, but the team has a bye this week, so he should be fine by the time the Eagles return to the field Nov. 10 against the Green Bay Packers.
King has appeared on the network’s morning show for nearly 14 years.
Rumors began circulating about Gayle King’s future with CBS after Variety reported that the anchor may leave the morning news show when her contract expires in May 2026. However, a CBS spokesperson refuted portions of the report.
“There have been no discussions with Gayle about her contract that runs through May 2026,” a CBS News spokesperson said in a statement to People.
The spokesperson added, “She’s a truly valued part of CBS, and we look forward to engaging with her about the future.”
Sources at Variety indicated that King might assume a new role at the network, which is currently undergoing internal restructuring amid Paramount’s $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media. The company’s corporate ownership will shift from the Redstones, the former controlling shareholders, to the Ellisons, who, according to Variety, plan to steer CBS News away from content they believe leans too far to the left. In Oct 2025, CBS named Bari Weiss, founder of the conservative opinion site The Free Press, as editor-in-chief of CBS News.
During her over 40-year career as a journalist, King has interviewed prominent figures such as President Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, and Cardi B. One of her most unforgettable interviews was in 2019 with R. Kelly, during his legal battle over federal racketeering and sex trafficking charges. During a tense exchange, Kelly became visibly upset, stood up, and started yelling. King was praised for staying calm as she called him by his first name, “Robert,” repeatedly.
King said that she was surprised by the unexpected change in Kelly’s demeanor, which she described as “0 to 200.”
“When he jumped out of the chair, and he’s hitting, and he’s screaming, and spit is flying because he’s angry, I just thought, ‘You can’t respond in kind to that.’ If you respond in kind to that, then we’re both off the rails.” King told People in 2019.
