Dauphin County to Spend $20K on Jury for Judge Sonya McKnight’s Attempted Murder Trial

On Friday, April 4, 2025, PennLive reported that Dauphin County is set to incur approximately $20,000 in additional expenses for an out-of-county jury to hear the trial of suspended magisterial district judge Sonya McKnight. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that a local jury would not be able to deliver a fair and impartial verdict due to McKnight’s notoriety in the area.

McKnight is facing serious allegations of attempting to murder her ex-boyfriend following a week-long breakup in February 2024. To ensure impartiality, the court has arranged for a jury from Delaware County, marking the first time in around 15 years that Dauphin County has imported an out-of-town jury for such a case.

Dauphin County Court Administrator Stephen Libhart noted that the trial is expected to last approximately five days and will feature 12 jurors along with four alternates from Delaware County. The cost for this jury service is estimated to range between $18,550 and $22,000. This pricing reflects the potential for delays; should the trial extend beyond five days, costs could exceed the maximum estimate.

Typically, Dauphin County spends about $1,232 for jury service involving 16 jurors over a five-day trial. According to state law, counties are required to compensate jurors $9 per day for the first three days, followed by $25 per day for any additional days. In some instances, judges may also order meals for jurors from local businesses, adding an extra $150 to $200 to the total cost.

In this particular trial, additional expenses are expected to include $8,686 for hotel accommodations and around $4,000 for meals for the jury. The meal costs are calculated at a daily rate of $50 per juror. Transportation for the jury, involving bus trips to and from Harrisburg, is projected to cost approximately $4,644.

McKnight’s lawyer, Cory Leshner, effectively contended that a jury from Dauphin County might be biased due to McKnight’s status as an elected official and the considerable media attention her case and previous incidents have received.

Source: PennLive