The Fall Of Judge Sonya McKnight: 5 Shocking Details Of The Attempted Murder Conviction And 30-Year Sentence

The story of Sonya McKnight is one of the most dramatic and shocking falls from grace in recent American judicial history. A former Magisterial District Judge in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, McKnight's career ended not with retirement, but with a criminal conviction for attempted murder, aggravated assault, and a decades-long prison sentence. The details of the crime—shooting her estranged boyfriend in the head while he slept—have captivated and horrified the public, painting a devastating picture of a public servant's life derailed by violence. As of December 13, 2025, the focus remains on the severity of her sentence and the permanent damage inflicted on the victim. The legal proceedings have concluded with a definitive judgment, marking the end of McKnight's freedom and her standing in the community she once served. Her conviction in April 2025 and subsequent sentencing in May 2025 brought an end to a high-profile case that exposed a dark side to the life of a trusted judicial figure. This article dives deep into the woman, her career, and the five most shocking facts surrounding the crime that led to her 13.5 to 30-year incarceration.

Sonya McKnight: Complete Biography and Judicial Career Profile

Sonya McKnight, also known by her full name, Sonya Baltimore McKnight, was an elected official whose career was dedicated to the local judicial system before her dramatic criminal downfall. Her professional life was centered in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where she served her community as a district judge.

• Full Name: Sonya Baltimore McKnight
• Age: 55 years old (at the time of her 2025 conviction)
• Primary Residence: Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania
• Judicial Position: Magisterial District Judge for Dauphin County, Pennsylvania (District 12-2-04)
• Election Date: Elected on November 3, 2015
• Term of Service: Served from January 4, 2016, until February 9, 2021, when she was placed on an unpaid suspension by the Judicial Conduct Board.
• Pre-Shooting Legal Issues: McKnight was previously sanctioned and suspended without pay by the Pennsylvania Judicial Conduct Board for violations of judicial conduct, specifically related to her social media postings and failing to ensure proper courtroom procedures. This suspension was in place before the criminal charges were filed.
• Marital Status: Estranged from her boyfriend/husband at the time of the shooting. The victim was identified in some reports as her estranged husband, Enoch McKnight.
• Conviction Date: Found guilty on April 9, 2025.
• Sentencing Date: Sentenced in May 2025.

The Shocking Timeline: From Respected Judge to Attempted Murder Convict

The transition of Sonya McKnight from an elected Magisterial District Judge to a convicted felon is a stark illustration of a life spiraling out of control. Her judicial career, which began with a successful election in 2015, was already marred by ethical violations before the violent 2024 incident that sealed her fate. The case involves a series of events that began with a troubled relationship and culminated in a calculated act of violence, followed by a dramatic trial and a severe sentence.

1. The Pre-Existing Judicial Misconduct and Suspension

Long before the attempted murder charges, Sonya McKnight was already facing severe scrutiny from the Pennsylvania Judicial Conduct Board. She was serving an unpaid suspension for a series of ethical breaches. These violations of judicial conduct included improper use of social media and other administrative failures within her district court. This established a pattern of behavior that showed a disregard for the strict ethical standards required of a judge, foreshadowing the complete breakdown of her professional and personal life. The suspension itself was a major public scandal in Dauphin County, raising questions about her fitness to serve even before the shooting.

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2. The Brutal 2024 Shooting of Her Estranged Partner

The central event in the case occurred in 2024 when McKnight shot her estranged boyfriend—identified in some reports as Enoch McKnight—in the head. The victim was reportedly shot while he was asleep. The level of premeditation and the vulnerability of the victim were key factors that led to the severe attempted murder charge. The shooting was not a random act of violence but a targeted attack on a former intimate partner, deeply shaking the community's trust in its judicial figures.

3. The Deceptive Cover-Up Attempt

Perhaps the most disturbing detail revealed during the trial was the attempt by McKnight to cover up the crime. According to prosecutors, after shooting the victim, she tried to convince him that he had shot himself. This calculated attempt to manipulate the victim and mislead investigators was a significant factor in the jury's decision and the severity of the ultimate sentence. The prosecution highlighted this deception as evidence of her cold-blooded intent and lack of remorse.

4. The Victim's Permanent, Life-Altering Injuries

The victim of the shooting survived the attack, but not without devastating, life-altering consequences. The gunshot wound to the head left him permanently blind in one eye. This permanent injury was a powerful piece of evidence presented to the jury, demonstrating the aggravated nature of the assault and the long-term impact of McKnight's actions. The victim's testimony and the medical evidence were crucial in securing the conviction for aggravated assault and attempted homicide.

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5. The Guilty Verdict and Severe 30-Year Sentence

The trial proceedings concluded on April 9, 2025, when a Dauphin County jury found Sonya McKnight guilty of both attempted murder and aggravated assault after a short deliberation. The conviction marked the definitive end of her judicial career and her freedom. In May 2025, she was sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 13-and-a-half to 30 years in state prison. This severe sentence reflects the seriousness of the charges, the calculated nature of the crime, and her position of public trust. The sentencing hearing brought the high-profile case to a close, sending a clear message about accountability for even the most powerful individuals.

The Long-Term Ramifications of the Dauphin County Scandal

The conviction and sentencing of former Judge Sonya McKnight have had a profound and lasting impact on the Dauphin County judicial system and the broader Pennsylvania legal community. The case has become a cautionary tale about the pressures of public office and the need for rigorous ethical oversight. The entities involved in the case—the Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office, the Pennsylvania Judicial Conduct Board, and the local police—all played critical roles in bringing the case to justice.

The scandal has led to increased public scrutiny of judicial elections and the conduct of elected officials. The shocking details of the attempted murder, particularly the fact that a judge was the perpetrator, have been widely reported, generating intense interest in judicial accountability. The victim's survival and testimony were key to the outcome, ensuring that justice was served for the horrific attack. The case serves as a powerful reminder that no one, regardless of their position of power or authority, is above the law.

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McKnight's appeal process, while standard for such a conviction, is expected to be a long shot given the compelling evidence presented at trial. Her current focus is now on serving her minimum sentence of 13.5 years before being eligible for parole. The former judge's name will forever be associated with one of the most sensational criminal cases involving a public official in Pennsylvania history, a tragic end to a once-promising career.