Attempted Murder: American Judge Found Guilty of Shooting Ex-boyfriend in the Head

In a story that reads more like a courtroom drama than real life, Pennsylvania Magistrate Judge Sonya McKnight has gone from presiding over justice to facing the full weight of it. Once a respected figure in the legal community, McKnight now awaits sentencing after being convicted of attempted homicide and aggravated assault in the shooting of her ex-boyfriend, Michael McCoy.

The shocking incident took place in February 2024. Prosecutors detailed how McKnight, reportedly driven by jealousy and unresolved emotions, shot McCoy in the head as he slept—an act she continues to deny. According to the victim’s testimony, McKnight was the only person present that night, and the jury agreed. After just two hours of deliberation, they returned a guilty verdict that sent shockwaves across the state.

The case has captivated the public not just for its brutality, but for its irony—a judge now branded a criminal by the very system she once served. Defense attorneys attempted to sow doubt, arguing that McCoy couldn’t definitively identify his attacker. But the jury wasn’t swayed.

With sentencing scheduled for May 28, McKnight faces up to 60 years in prison. Her fall from grace is a sobering reminder that no one is above the law—not even those who once enforced it.

As the legal world watches closely, this case will likely remain a point of conversation and caution for years to come. Justice, it seems, has come full circle.