Pennsylvania Judge Accused of Shooting Ex-Boyfriend in the Face
Feb 27, 08:00 PM
Pennsylvania prosecutors have leveled serious accusations against a Democratic judge, alleging that she shot her sleeping ex-boyfriend in the face following their breakup and his request for her to vacate his apartment.
Embattled Judge Sonya McKnight faces charges of attempted murder and aggravated assault after authorities discovered gunshot residue on her hands, according to reports.
"The bullet entered the right side of the victim’s face, traversed through his head in a straight line behind and slightly below his eyes, and exited the left side of his face," stated the Cumberland County District Attorney Sean McCormack's office, highlighting the severity of the incident. "The victim survived the gunshot wound but is blind in one eye as a result."
The victim, identified as 54-year-old Michael McCoy, had reportedly ended his relationship with McKnight and repeatedly urged her to leave his residence, as detailed in an arrest affidavit. However, on February 9, upon returning home from a restaurant, he found McKnight on his couch in pajamas.
Following a confrontation where McCoy reiterated his demand for her to leave, he went to bed. He later awoke to intense pain and blindness, allegedly finding McKnight beside him, asking, "Mike, what did you do to yourself?"
McKnight purportedly called emergency services around 1 a.m., claiming she was sleeping and heard McCoy scream, unable to provide further explanation. However, McCoy informed authorities he did not inflict the gunshot wound upon himself.
In response, McKnight's attorney, Cory Leshner, stated that his client denies firing the gun and anticipates exoneration. Nevertheless, legal experts like David Gelman, a defense attorney uninvolved in the case, question the plausibility of McKnight's defense given the evidence.
"The investigation is probably going to show that it would have been impossible for him to shoot himself in the eye at that particular angle," said David Gelman, a New Jersey-based defense attorney and former prosecutor who has no connection to the case. "How are you going to prove it when you have the gunshot residue on your hands?"
Doorbell footage from neighboring homes reportedly contradicts elements of McKnight's account, further complicating the investigation.
The incident also casts a shadow over McKnight's past involvement in a 2019 shooting of her estranged husband, reportedly in self-defense. Despite previous legal clearance, scrutiny surrounding this event resurfaces in light of recent accusations.
McKnight, who won her judgeship in 2015, has been suspended over unrelated ethics violations and corruption allegations since November.
In a flyer for her 2021 re-election campaign, slogans included "advocate for second changes" and claimed she "fights for justice and fairness."
She avoided conviction for allegedly intervening in a traffic stop involving her son allegedly gave staffers excess vacation time, and ignored a civil claim against herself for $2,100.
Facing a bail set at $300,000, McKnight's future on the bench remains uncertain, with Gelman expressing doubt about her return. Meanwhile, Cumberland County prosecutors are handling the case to avoid potential conflicts of interest.
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Embattled Judge Sonya McKnight faces charges of attempted murder and aggravated assault after authorities discovered gunshot residue on her hands, according to reports.
"The bullet entered the right side of the victim’s face, traversed through his head in a straight line behind and slightly below his eyes, and exited the left side of his face," stated the Cumberland County District Attorney Sean McCormack's office, highlighting the severity of the incident. "The victim survived the gunshot wound but is blind in one eye as a result."
The victim, identified as 54-year-old Michael McCoy, had reportedly ended his relationship with McKnight and repeatedly urged her to leave his residence, as detailed in an arrest affidavit. However, on February 9, upon returning home from a restaurant, he found McKnight on his couch in pajamas.
Following a confrontation where McCoy reiterated his demand for her to leave, he went to bed. He later awoke to intense pain and blindness, allegedly finding McKnight beside him, asking, "Mike, what did you do to yourself?"
McKnight purportedly called emergency services around 1 a.m., claiming she was sleeping and heard McCoy scream, unable to provide further explanation. However, McCoy informed authorities he did not inflict the gunshot wound upon himself.
In response, McKnight's attorney, Cory Leshner, stated that his client denies firing the gun and anticipates exoneration. Nevertheless, legal experts like David Gelman, a defense attorney uninvolved in the case, question the plausibility of McKnight's defense given the evidence.
"The investigation is probably going to show that it would have been impossible for him to shoot himself in the eye at that particular angle," said David Gelman, a New Jersey-based defense attorney and former prosecutor who has no connection to the case. "How are you going to prove it when you have the gunshot residue on your hands?"
Doorbell footage from neighboring homes reportedly contradicts elements of McKnight's account, further complicating the investigation.
The incident also casts a shadow over McKnight's past involvement in a 2019 shooting of her estranged husband, reportedly in self-defense. Despite previous legal clearance, scrutiny surrounding this event resurfaces in light of recent accusations.
McKnight, who won her judgeship in 2015, has been suspended over unrelated ethics violations and corruption allegations since November.
In a flyer for her 2021 re-election campaign, slogans included "advocate for second changes" and claimed she "fights for justice and fairness."
She avoided conviction for allegedly intervening in a traffic stop involving her son allegedly gave staffers excess vacation time, and ignored a civil claim against herself for $2,100.
Facing a bail set at $300,000, McKnight's future on the bench remains uncertain, with Gelman expressing doubt about her return. Meanwhile, Cumberland County prosecutors are handling the case to avoid potential conflicts of interest.
Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com