Lawyers for Sonya Massey’s family say $10M settlement ‘first step;' await trial, legislative changes

“My heart is heavy today,” said Massey’s father, James Wilburn, who thanked Slaughter and Springfield Democratic state Sen. Doris Turner for their legislation to rein in “frequent flyers who go from one department to another” so “no one else would have to feel the kind of hurt that we are feeling today.”

Sangamon County officials said they would pay the award from a settlement account and reserves from other county funds. Disbursement of the money will be decided by a court but will go to Massey’s two teenage children, attorney Antonio Romanucci said. A court also decides compensation for attorneys, but “the lion’s share will go to the family,” Crump said.

Read more reporting on the announcement and settlement from John O'Connor for the Associated Press.