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The trial for suspended Dauphin County judge Sonya McKnight begins today (April 7) in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. McKnight is charged with attempted murder after allegedly shooting her boyfriend, Michael McCoy, in the head while he was asleep in February of last year. McCoy survived the attack but is now blind in one eye.
The case has garnered significant attention due to McKnight's position as a magisterial district judge. She was suspended in 2023 for multiple violations, including missing court dates without explanation. According to CBS 21 News, police reports indicate that McKnight had gunshot residue on her from the night of the incident, and the firearm used was registered in her name. Prosecutors also claim that McKnight delayed contacting emergency services after the shooting.
McKnight has pleaded not guilty, and her attorneys argue that there is insufficient evidence to prove she was the shooter. They have requested that a jury be selected from outside Dauphin County to ensure impartiality, as reported by TheBurg News.
The trial will be presided over by an out-of-county judge to maintain fairness. The outcome of this trial could have significant implications for McKnight's career and future legal proceedings.