Pennsylvania Magisterial District Judge Sonya M. McKnight finds herself on the wrong side of the law after being charged with first-degree attempted murder and aggravated assault. The charges stem from an incident where McKnight allegedly shot her ex-boyfriend, Michael McCoy, in the head as he slept, leaving him blinded in one eye.
According to court records and a detailed arrest affidavit, McCoy, 54, had repeatedly attempted to end his one-year relationship with McKnight and urged her to move out of his Harrisburg area home. Despite his efforts, McKnight allegedly refused to accept the end of the relationship. McCoy's decision to seek her eviction with the help of her mother seemed to be the final straw, prompting McKnight to allegedly attempt to take his life.
The harrowing incident unfolded on February 9th when McCoy returned home from a tavern to find McKnight lounging on his couch in pajamas. After once again insisting that she leave, McCoy retired to bed, only to be awakened by excruciating head pain and sudden blindness. McKnight, upon hearing McCoy's screams, rushed to his aid, feigning ignorance of the situation and suggesting that McCoy had harmed himself.
Emergency responders swiftly transported McCoy to the hospital, where medical examination revealed a gunshot wound to his head, leaving him blind in his right eye. Despite McKnight's alleged attempts to deceive authorities and shift blame onto McCoy, evidence pointed to her culpability in the violent attack.
McKnight, who had served as an elected judge in Dauphin County since 2016, has been suspended from her judicial duties pending the outcome of the legal proceedings. Currently incarcerated at Dauphin County Prison with bail set at $300,000, McKnight faces serious consequences for her alleged actions.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of domestic disputes spiraling out of control and the devastating impact of intimate partner violence. It underscores the importance of seeking help and resources to address conflicts in healthy and constructive ways, rather than resorting to violence.
As the legal process unfolds, the community awaits justice for Michael McCoy and hopes for his swift recovery from this traumatic ordeal. Meanwhile, the allegations against Judge Sonya M. McKnight serve as a cautionary tale about the fragility of human relationships and the dangers of unchecked aggression.
