She Once Shot Her Husband—Now She’s Guilty of Shooting Her Boyfriend in the Head While He Slept

In a case that has left many stunned, a former Pennsylvania judge with a violent past has now been convicted of an even more chilling crime. Sonya M. McKnight, once trusted to uphold the law, has been found guilty of shooting her boyfriend in the head while he was asleep. The victim, Michael McCoy, miraculously survived—but the courtroom drama that followed was nothing short of jaw-dropping.

A Quiet Night Turns into a Nightmare

It was supposed to be a normal night in February 2024. Michael McCoy, 54, had already ended his year-long relationship with McKnight and told her to move out. But that night, she let herself back into his Harrisburg home using a spare key.

McCoy didn’t expect what happened next. He told the jury he went to bed like any other night. But hours later, he woke up in excruciating pain—blood on his pillow, vision blurred, unsure what had happened. He had been shot in the head at point-blank range. And the only other person in the house was McKnight.

“I Thought I Was Dreaming”

“I thought I was dreaming,” McCoy recalled in court, describing the disorientation and fear he felt as he stumbled through his home, trying to understand what had just happened. The bullet had entered near his temple and exited near his eye socket. It’s nothing short of a miracle that he survived.

When police arrived, they found McKnight at the scene. She told them she’d been sleeping and heard McCoy screaming, claiming she had no idea what happened. But investigators weren’t convinced.

They found a gun registered in McKnight’s name at the home. Her hands tested positive for gunshot residue. Surveillance footage didn’t match her version of events. And the fact that she had previously shot her husband during a domestic dispute in 2019 raised serious concerns.

A Pattern of Violence

McKnight wasn’t just any ordinary citizen—she was a judge. Or at least she had been. In 2019, she shot her estranged husband in the groin during a fight. At the time, prosecutors chose not to charge her, citing self-defense. But now, with this latest shooting, many are asking why that red flag wasn’t taken more seriously.

She was already under scrutiny before this case. In 2023, she was suspended from the bench without pay over allegations she had violated her judicial probation after a separate incident involving her son. All of this paints a picture of someone who may have been unraveling long before the final, violent act that brought her career—and freedom—to a halt.

A Quick Verdict, a Long Sentence Ahead

The jury didn’t take long to decide. After just two days of testimony and two hours of deliberation, they returned with a guilty verdict. McKnight, now 58, was convicted of attempted murder and aggravated assault. She was taken into custody immediately and moved to a facility outside of Dauphin County due to her former role as a judge in the area.

Her sentencing is set for May 28, and she could face up to 60 years behind bars.

Shockwaves Through the Legal Community

The story of Sonya McKnight has rocked Pennsylvania’s legal system. A judge, once sworn to deliver justice, now finds herself on the other side of it—guilty of a violent crime against someone she once claimed to love. For many, it’s a wake-up call about the systems in place to monitor the behavior of those in power.

Some legal experts are calling for more rigorous mental health screenings and disciplinary oversight for judges and other public officials. Others are questioning why someone with McKnight’s background was allowed to stay on the bench for so long.

Public Reaction: “How Did This Happen?”

Outside the courtroom, people are asking one simple question: how did this happen?

The case has triggered emotional reactions on social media and in the Harrisburg community. Many are struggling to reconcile how a former judge—someone meant to protect the community—could be capable of such violence.

But the truth is now undeniable. And for Michael McCoy, the physical and emotional scars from that night may never fully heal.

As Justice Is Served, Questions Remain

While McKnight waits to learn her fate, the community is left grappling with the fallout. This isn’t just a courtroom story—it’s a deeply human one, full of betrayal, trauma, and the collapse of trust in someone who once wore a robe and sat behind the bench.

And perhaps most disturbing of all? This wasn’t the first time she pulled the trigger on someone close to her.