Cumberland County District Attorney's office charged a suspended Pennsylvania judge with attempted murder and aggravated assault after police say she shot her boyfriend in the face while he was sleeping. The victim, Michael McCoy, had tried to end his one-year relationship with Magisterial District Judge Sonya M. McKnight, but she refused to move out of his house. On the evening of Feb. 9, McCoy went to bed at 11 p.m. He woke a few hours later with “massive head pain” and was unable to see. He heard McKnight say, “Mike, what did you do to yourself?” She called 911 just after 1 a.m. but claimed not to know what happened. Cumberland County police allege McKnight shot McCoy in the head. The bullet entered the right side of his face and exited on the left side. McCoy survived, but he's now blind in one eye. Despite McKnight denying the accusations, she was arrested on Feb. 15 and held at Dauphin County Prison on a $300,000 bail.  

If police charged you with a violent crime against someone you are or were involved with, you need an aggressive defense attorney to build a strong case in your defense. Not just any lawyer will do. Contact the Criminal Defense Team at LLF Law Firm today at 888.535.3686 or through our online form, and let us fight for the best possible outcome in your case.  

Attempted Murder vs. Aggravated Assault. Either Way, You Need the LLF Law Firm's Criminal Defense Team on Your Side. 

McKnight was charged with both attempted murder and aggravated assault. Both are very serious crimes under Pennsylvania law, but some differences exist. For aggravated assault, the prosecution must show beyond a reasonable doubt that you caused or attempted to cause serious bodily injury to another person. Serious bodily injury means the injury you caused could lead to death, a significant loss or impairment of an organ function, or permanent disfigurement. The prosecution must also show that your actions were intentional. Aggravated assault is a first- or second-degree felony. Conviction carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison for a second-degree felony or up to 20 years for a second-degree felony. 

Attempted murder requires that the prosecution show that you intended to kill another person beyond a reasonable doubt and that you took steps to attempt to do so. There is no mandatory minimum sentence for an attempted murder conviction in Pennsylvania unless you have a prior serious or violent felony conviction. If you use a deadly weapon and cause serious bodily injury, the recommended sentence is 90 months up to the statutory limit. 

If you are facing serious or violent felony charges, the stakes are high. You need a strong criminal defense attorney fighting for you. Contact the LLF Law Firm's Criminal Defense Team today at 888.535.3686 or through our online form, and stand up for your rights.