Sonya McKnight, a former Dauphin County magisterial district judge, has been sentenced to a maximum of 30 years in prison following her conviction for attempted homicide and aggravated assault. The case stems from the 2024 shooting of her estranged boyfriend, an incident that shocked the Pennsylvania legal community.
At a sentencing hearing held on Wednesday, May 28, Senior Judge Howard Knisely ordered McKnight, 55, to serve no less than 13.5 years and up to 30 years in state prison. The court also officially removed McKnight from her judicial position as part of the penalty. Time she had already served while awaiting trial will be credited toward her sentence.
McKnight was convicted by a Delaware County jury on April 9, 2025, for shooting her former partner, Michael McCoy, in the head on February 10, 2024, after he informed her of his intention to end their relationship. Though McCoy survived, he suffered permanent blindness in one eye and later provided key testimony against McKnight during the trial.
While McCoy did not attend the sentencing hearing, the court received and reviewed a victim impact statement from him.
Seven individuals testified in McKnight’s defense, including her eldest son, Stephen Baltimore. Those who spoke highlighted McKnight’s previous achievements as a judge, her involvement in community activism, and her role as a mother.
Three members of the McCoy family also addressed the court, offering forgiveness to McKnight but urging that she receive a sentence reflective of the crime’s seriousness.
Notably, McKnight did not offer an apology to McCoy or his family during the hearing.
Under Pennsylvania law, McKnight has 10 days to file a post-sentence motion and 30 days to appeal her conviction and sentence to the Superior Court.
This case has reignited discussions around judicial accountability, domestic violence, and the responsibilities of those in positions of public trust.
Source: NewsandVibes.com
