On Wednesday, April 9, 2025, Fox43 published an article examining the legal troubles of suspended Dauphin County Judge Sonya McKnight. The 55-year-old judge, who has faced multiple controversies, was recently convicted of attempted homicide for shooting her estranged boyfriend, Michael McCoy, in the head. Although McCoy survived, he is now blind in one eye, and McKnight faces a potential prison sentence of 30 to 60 years.
McKnight’s legal issues date back several years. In 2019, she was investigated by the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office following an incident at her Harrisburg home where her estranged husband was injured in a shooting. McKnight was placed on paid leave during this investigation, which ultimately concluded without charges against her, citing self-defense laws. At that time, she had obtained a Protection From Abuse order against her ex-husband.
In 2020, McKnight’s troubles escalated when she was charged with tampering with evidence, official oppression, and obstruction of law. These charges arose from accusations that she attempted to use her judicial position to influence police during the arrest of her son, Kevin Baltimore, who was wanted on drug charges. Investigators claimed that McKnight interfered by retrieving a pill bottle from her son’s vehicle and preventing police from examining it. However, she was acquitted of all charges in this case in 2021.
By 2023, McKnight faced further scrutiny, leading to her suspension without pay by the Pennsylvania Judicial Conduct Board. The board cited multiple allegations against her, including time theft, obstructing law enforcement, and failing to recuse herself from cases involving a local attorney and police officers linked to her previous arrest. Additionally, she was accused of using her personal social media account for commercial promotions and neglecting her work responsibilities.
McKnight’s legal history reflects a series of serious allegations and convictions that have significantly impacted her career as a judge, raising concerns about her conduct and fitness for the judiciary.
Source: Fox43
