On Monday, April 7, 2025, CBS 21 News reported that the trial of suspended Dauphin County Magisterial District Judge Sonya McKnight began in the Dauphin County Courthouse, following an incident in which her then-boyfriend, Michael McCoy, was shot in the face. The shooting occurred on February 10, 2024, at McCoy’s home in Susquehanna Township, where McKnight is accused of using a gun registered in her name.
The prosecution, led by Cumberland County District Attorney Seán McCormack, outlined the case against McKnight, emphasizing the circumstances surrounding the shooting. According to court documents, McKnight and McCoy were the only individuals present at the residence when the incident took place. Investigators found gunshot residue on McKnight’s hands, leading to charges of attempted murder and aggravated assault. McKnight’s defense team attempted to dismiss the charges, arguing that the prosecution had not established that McKnight fired the weapon.
During the opening statements, McCormack detailed the relationship between McKnight and McCoy, highlighting that McCoy had attempted to end the relationship multiple times prior to the incident. On the night before the shooting, McCoy returned home to find McKnight still at his residence. The prosecutor noted a conversation in which McCoy expressed his desire to discuss their relationship, to which McKnight allegedly responded, indicating a realization that their relationship was over.
The defense countered that McKnight did not shoot McCoy and insisted that the evidence was insufficient to prove her guilt. They argued that McCoy maintained he did not shoot himself and that the only evidence against McKnight was their presence together at the time of the shooting.
The initial witnesses in the trial included several officers from the Susquehanna Township Police Department who responded to the scene. The first officer to arrive testified that McKnight informed him that McCoy was bleeding heavily in the bathroom. McCoy reportedly claimed he did not know how he had been injured, and at one point, he told McKnight to “shut up,” leading the officer to believe McCoy was trying to protect her.
Subsequent witnesses included a sergeant who recounted finding a gun in a spare bedroom, where McCoy claimed he had gone to sleep. McCoy reportedly stated he did not shoot himself and was unaware he had been shot until police informed him. Additional officers confirmed that McCoy expressed no suicidal thoughts while being transported to the hospital.
Body camera footage from the responding officers was presented in court, and investigators noted a trail of blood leading from the guest room to the bathroom. A fourth witness testified that McKnight was observed washing her hands while EMS treated McCoy.
Forensic evidence was also a significant focus of the trial. A forensic expert testified that gunshot residue was found on McKnight’s clothing, specifically her pajama shorts and one sock, although another sock and her pajama top yielded inconclusive results due to having been dropped in the toilet. The expert explained that gunshot residue can be easily transferred and removed through washing.
As the trial progressed, the prosecution presented a firearm examiner who analyzed the bullet retrieved from the scene. The examiner reported that he could not definitively match the bullet to the gun found, describing the results as inconclusive. Additional witnesses included neighbors of McCoy who reported receiving calls from his phone on the night of the incident, indicating that someone else was on the line instead of McCoy.
The trial is expected to last approximately five days, with court officials estimating the total costs to approach $20,000. McKnight, who was suspended from her judicial duties in November 2023 due to alleged violations of conduct standards, faces serious charges that could significantly impact her future and career. As the trial unfolds, the court will continue to hear evidence and witness testimony in this high-profile case.
Source: CBS 21 News
