Overview

• A Pennsylvania judge, Sonya McKnight, has been charged with attempted first-degree murder and aggravated assault for allegedly shooting her ex-boyfriend, Michael McCoy, in the head while he slept, leaving him blind in one eye.
• The incident occurred after McCoy attempted to end their one-year relationship and asked McKnight to move out of his home multiple times.
• McKnight, who was suspended from her duties as an elected judge in Dauphin County, had gunshot residue on her hands and the gun used was registered to her.
• This is not the first time McKnight has been accused of shooting a partner; she previously shot her then-husband in 2019, a case that was ruled self-defense.
• The case has been transferred to Cumberland County to avoid a prosecutorial conflict of interest, and McKnight faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted.