PA Judge Faces Attempted Murder Charge, Accused of Shooting Ex-Boyfriend In The Head

Judge Sonya McKnight has been charged with first-degree attempted murder for allegedly shooting her ex-boyfriend in the head on February 10.

NBC News reports Magisterial District Judge Sonya McKnight of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, is facing severe charges of first-degree attempted murder and aggravated assault for allegedly shooting her ex-boyfriend in the head on February 10.

Michael McCoy attempted to end his one-year relationship with McKnight, which led to the shooting at McCoy’s Harrisburg home.

In a probable cause affidavit, Susquehanna Township Police revealed that McKnight called 911, reporting McCoy’s loss of vision and requesting an ambulance. She claimed ignorance about the incident, attributing it to her waking up to McCoy’s screams.

A subsequent investigation disclosed that McCoy had made multiple attempts to break up with McKnight. At one point, he took his key from her, only for McKnight to use a spare to enter his home while he was at work.

On February 9, McCoy returned home to find McKnight on his couch in pajamas. After leaving for a local bar, McCoy encountered further tension upon his return, prompting him to consider seeking help from McKnight’s mother to remove her from his home.

The affidavit states McKnight, after realizing McCoy’s intent, responded, “Oh, You’re serious?” McCoy retired to bed, only to wake up an hour or two later with excruciating head pain and vision impairment.

In the document, Sonya McKnight is quoted as saying, “Mike, what did you do to yourself?” attempting to convince him that he had shot himself. However, McCoy vehemently denied any self-inflicted harm.

Detectives discovered discrepancies in McKnight’s account during the investigation, concluding her interview was “deceptive.” The firearm used was registered to McKnight. A gunshot residue test conducted within an hour of the incident found traces on her hands. McCoy, now blind in his right eye, suffered a gunshot wound that entered near his right temple and exited near the left temple.

McKnight, an elected judge since 2016, was suspended without pay in November by the Court of Judicial Discipline. The suspension resulted from allegations that she violated judicial probation related to her previous misconduct case, which involved interference in her son’s 2020 arrest. She had faced criminal charges in that incident but was acquitted.

Notably, McKnight was previously charged in 2019 for shooting her estranged husband. However, the case was ruled as self-defense, and she was not charged.