Pennsylvania Magistrate Judge Sonya McKnight Arrested: Pennsylvania magistrate judge Sonya McKnight has been arrested and charged with allegedly shooting her ex-boyfriend, Michael McCoy, while he slept at his home in the Harrisburg area last weekend. The incident inflicted severe injuries on McCoy, leaving him blind in one eye.
Pennsylvania Magistrate Judge Sonya McKnight Arrested for Shooting Ex-Boyfriend
McKnight, 57, who was suspended from her position as a magistrate judge, is facing charges of attempted murder and aggravated assault in connection with the shooting. Reports indicate that McCoy had attempted to end his one-year relationship with McKnight and had requested to move out of his home.
On the night of the incident February 9, McCoy returned home to find McKnight wearing pajamas and lounging on his couch. He informed her of his intention to seek help from her mother to get her to leave.
McKnight allegedly confronted McCoy in the kitchen, inquiring if they were going to discuss the situation. McCoy suggested addressing the matter the following day. McCoy went to bed around 11 p.m. and woke up to severe head pain and blindness. McKnight allegedly attempted to gaslight him by asking, “What did you do to yourself?” when he began to scream in pain and claiming ignorance of the situation.
McCoy sustained a gunshot wound to the right temple, exiting his left temple. He consistently maintained that he did not shoot himself. He asked McKnight to call 911, and upon arrival, responders discovered he had suffered a single gunshot wound to the head.
When McKnight called 911, she claimed she was sleeping and heard McCoy screaming, unable to explain what had happened. However, doorbell videos from neighboring homes contradicted McKnight’s assertion that she did not leave the house that night.
However, evidence, including a registered gun found in the house and gunshot residue on McKnight’s hands, contradicts her assertions of innocence.
McKnight was apprehended by the Susquehanna Township Police Department and is currently held at Dauphin County Prison with bail set at $300,000 by county President Judge Scott Arthur Evans. Due to conflicts of interest, the Cumberland County District Attorney’s office is overseeing the case, as both the Dauphin County District Attorney’s office and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office recused themselves.
McKnight, who has been an elected judge in Dauphin County since 2016, was suspended without pay in mid-November by the Court of Judicial Discipline for multiple misconduct allegations, including violations related to a 2020 traffic stop involving her son.
In 2019, McKnight was involved in another shooting incident where she wounded her estranged husband. State prosecutors cited self-defense, and she was not charged.
On February 26th, there will be a court session where the evidence against McKnight will be presented, and a judge will determine whether there is enough evidence to proceed with a trial for the charges against her.
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