SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The U.S. Justice Department is demanding records related to the shooting of an Illinois woman who was killed in her home by a sheriff's deputy as it investigates how local authorities treat Black residents and people with behavioral disabilities.
The government made a list of demands in dozens of categories in a letter to the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office, dated Thursday.
“The Sheriff’s Office, along with involved county agencies, has engaged in discussions and pledged full cooperation with the Department of Justice in its review," Sheriff Paula Crouch said Friday.
Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman, was killed in July when deputies responded to a call about a possible prowler at her home in Springfield, Illinois. She was shot three times during a confrontation with an officer.
Sean Grayson, who is white, was fired. He is charged with murder and other crimes and has pleaded not guilty.
The Justice Department wants to know if the sheriff's office has strategies when responding to people in “behavioral health crises,” among many other requests.
“The incident raises serious concerns about ... interactions with Black people and people with behavioral health disabilities," the government said.
Andy Van Meter, chairman of the Sangamon County Board, said the Justice Department's review is an important step in strengthening the public's trust in the sheriff’s office.
FILE - This undated photo provided by the family's lawyers in July 2024 shows Sonya Massey of Springfield, Ill. (Courtesy Ben Crump Law via AP, File)
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Jalen Milroe passed for two touchdowns and ran for a third in just over two quarters to help No. 9 Alabama beat FCS team Mercer 52-7 on Saturday.
Ryan Williams ran for a 29-yard touchdown and caught a 14-yard score for the Crimson Tide (8-2, No. 9 CFP), who got a reprieve from Southeastern Conference games after re-entering the Top 10 following a dominating win over LSU last week. Now, they'll go back to focusing on polishing their playoff resume and battling for an SEC title.
The Bears (9-2), playing without injured quarterback DJ Smith, had already clinched a spot in the FCS playoffs and at least a share of the Southern Conference title. Whitt Newbauer started at quarterback for Mercer, going 15 of 22 for 140 yards with an interception. The Bears avoided the shutout with his 31-yard touchdown pass to Kendall Harris late in the first half.
This one went about as expected.
Alabama led 31-7 before the break. Milroe headed to the sidelines for good after capping the opening drive of the second half with a 3-yard scoring run, his 17th of the season. He was 11-of-16 passing for 186 yards — including a 44-yard touchdown to tight end Robbie Ouzts — and ran six times for 43 yards.
Milroe, who ran for four touchdowns against LSU, then relaxed as backup Ty Simpson took over.
Mercer: Had three first-half drives into Alabama territory end with turnovers, including two fumbles. The Bears can secure the outright Southern Conference title with a win over Furman.
Alabama: Took care of business in an obvious mismatch and got backups like Simpson and two other quarterbacks some action. Simpson was 5 of 10 for 71 yards.
Mercer: hosts Furman on Saturday.
Alabama: At Oklahoma on Saturday.
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Alabama wide receiver Caleb Odom (18) has the ball in his hands but cannot come down with the catch in the end zone during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Mercer, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
