In a shocking turn for the legal community of Pennsylvania, a former magistrate judge was sentenced to decades behind bars for attempting to take her ex-boyfriend’s life as he slept beside her.

Sonya McKnight, a former Pennsylvania magistrate judge, received a 13-and-a-half to 30-year prison sentence after being convicted of attempted murder and aggravated assault for shooting her ex-boyfriend, Michael McCoy, in the head in February 2024, as People reports.

The violent incident occurred during the early morning hours of Feb. 10, 2024, at McCoy’s home, following a relationship turmoil between the pair. According to trial testimony, McCoy had recently told McKnight that he wanted to end their romantic involvement. That request would prove to be life-altering for both of them.

While McCoy was sleeping in his bed, a single gunshot was fired into the right side of his face. The bullet traveled behind his eyes and exited through the left side of his head. Miraculously, McCoy survived, but the injuries left him permanently blind in one eye.

Investigators focus on night of shooting

McCoy, unable to see after the blast, was not able to identify his attacker. However, investigators quickly zeroed in on McKnight. She was the only other person present in the house that night, and there were no signs of forced entry, according to authorities. McKnight was later charged in connection with the violent act.

During the trial, prosecutors described McKnight as a jealous and controlling partner who reacted violently when she was rejected. “She didn’t like that she was asked to leave,” one prosecutor told the jury. They argued that her ego and inability to accept the end of their relationship drove her to nearly kill the man she once claimed to love.

The jury took just two hours to deliberate before returning a guilty verdict on charges of attempted murder and aggravated assault. After the verdict was read, McKnight was immediately taken into custody, and she subsequently resigned from her judicial position in Dauphin County.

Previous shooting raises new questions

The trial also shed light on a troubling incident from McKnight’s past. In 2019, she shot and wounded her estranged husband, Enoch McKnight. In that case, however, the investigation concluded that she had acted in self-defense, and no criminal charges were filed.

Despite maintaining her innocence in the McCoy case, McKnight showed no visible signs of remorse throughout court proceedings, which the presiding judge noted during sentencing. “[McKnight was] totally without remorse,” the judge remarked before issuing the lengthy prison term.

Her defense attorney stated after sentencing that an appeal is underway, and they continue to stand by McKnight’s claims that she did not commit the crime. For now, though, McKnight will serve her time while awaiting further legal developments.

Victim suffers lifelong injuries

McCoy continues to recover from the physical and emotional toll of the shooting. The attack not only affected his vision but also transformed his future. Now living with blindness in one eye, he must also come to terms with the betrayal from someone he once welcomed into his life and home.

Friends and family of McCoy expressed relief at the verdict, though many admitted that the emotional wounds inflicted by the crime cannot be easily healed. The courtroom remained somber as the sentence was handed down, marking a tragic fall from grace for a once-respected member of the judiciary.

In Pennsylvania legal circles, McKnight was once seen as a rising figure. Her swift downfall underscores how hidden personal struggles can erupt into violence, even among those trusted with judicial authority.

Lessons to learn

1. Listen to your instincts and set firm boundaries. If a relationship begins to feel unsafe or controlling, it's essential to trust your feelings and seek safety. Asking someone to leave is never a justification for violence, and establishing clear physical and emotional distance is sometimes necessary.

2. Secure a support network. Victims of abuse or intimidation should lean on friends, family, or domestic violence organizations. Those connections can be vital when attempting to leave a volatile relationship or when dealing with the aftermath of trauma.

3. Recognize that anyone can be targeted. No matter how many precautions we take, crime can affect anyone. We must support survivors and resist blaming the victim for the actions of their attacker.

Why this story matters

This case reminds communities that domestic violence can occur in any household, even involving individuals in positions of power.  It also reflects how rejection can provoke dangerous behavior in unstable relationships.

Justice served in such high-profile cases reinforces principles of accountability, regardless of the perpetrator's status.