HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A former magistrate judge in Pennsylvania convicted of shooting and wounding her ex-boyfriend in the head as he slept has been sentenced to 13 1/2 to 30 years in prison.
Sonya McKnight was convicted last month on attempted homicide and aggravated assault charges. She resigned her post during Wednesday's hearing, where the judge told her she was “totally without remorse” for the shooting.
McKnight has maintained her innocence, and her attorney said an appeal is ongoing.
The shooting occurred in February 2024 at the boyfriend’s home. McKnight had lived there, but the man repeatedly asked her to leave when their relationship ended, authorities said.
Prosecutors argued at trial that McKnight was a jealous partner who “didn’t like” that she had been asked to leave, but her attorney said the ex-boyfriend couldn’t identify the shooter. The ex-boyfriend testified that he couldn’t see after the shooting, but that McKnight was the only other person in the home at the time.
The jury deliberated for two hours before convicting McKnight on both counts she faced.
McKnight, who was elected judge in Dauphin County in 2015, had been suspended without pay in mid-November 2023 after the Court of Judicial Discipline, which handles misconduct allegations against judges, said she violated judicial probations from a previous case regarding a 2020 traffic stop involving her son. She was acquitted of criminal charges in that matter.
Local outlets reported she also shot and wounded her estranged husband in 2019. Prosecutors didn’t charge her, citing self-defense.
FILE - Former District Judge Sonya McKnight, who was accused of shooting her estranged boyfriend in the head as he slept, leaves the Susquehanna Twp. Police department, Feb. 15, 2024. (Sean Simmers/The Patriot-News via AP, File)
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — England pace bowler Josh Tongue took three early wickets as Australia limped to lunch at 72-4 Friday on the first day of the fourth Ashes test.
Tongue claimed 3-24 from eight overs including removing Australia captain Steve Smith for nine at a sold-out Melbourne Cricket Ground.
England skipper Ben Stokes won the toss and sent Australia in to bat in overcast conditions. England lost each of the first three tests to allow Australia to retain the Ashes in just 11 days of on-field action.
Australia scored 27 runs in the first six overs before Travis Head (12) chopped a cut shot onto his stumps from the bowling of Gus Atkinson. Fellow opener Jake Weatherald (10) also fell cheaply, caught behind leg-glancing off Tongue at 31-2 in the 10th over.
Capitalizing on a pitch offering sideways movement, Tongue struck again in his next over when Marnus Labuschagne (6) edged to first slip. Australia was 34-3 at drinks, silencing the home crowd.
Smith showed a lack of footwork as he lost his middle stump while attempting to drive with the total on 55, as the triumphant Tongue struck a key blow to make sure England dominated the first session.
Usman Khawaja was 21 not out at lunch with Alex Carey on nine.
Australia recalled Jhye Richardson and Michael Neser as part of an all-pace attack for the match.
A top temperature of 18 degrees Celsius (65 Fahrenheit) was forecast with the cloudy conditions expected to suit pace bowlers on a green-tinged pitch.
England named its team on Wednesday with the big news the loss of star bowler Jofra Archer for the rest of the series, including the fifth and final test starting Jan. 4 in Sydney.
Jacob Bethell, 22, who has played four tests for England, replaces dumped Ollie Pope and Atkinson took the place of Archer.
AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket
Australia's Scott Boland prepares to bowl to England during their Ashes cricket test match in Melbourne, Friday, Dec. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Hamish Blair)
Australia's Cameron Green, left, celebrates after bowling England's Gus Atkinson, right, during their Ashes cricket test match in Melbourne, Friday, Dec. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Hamish Blair)
Australia's Scott Boland, second left, along with teammates, successfully appeal for a LBW decision on England's Harry Brook, third right, during their Ashes cricket test match in Melbourne, Friday, Dec. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Hamish Blair)
England's Josh Tongue, center, celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Australia's Scott Boland during their Ashes cricket test match in Melbourne, Friday, Dec. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Hamish Blair)
England's Gus Atkinson bats against Australia during their Ashes cricket test match in Melbourne, Friday, Dec. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Hamish Blair)
England's Josh Tongue, center, celebrates the wicket of Australia's Marnus Labuschagne, left, during their Ashes cricket test match in Melbourne, Friday, Dec. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Hamish Blair)
Australia's Steve Smith bats against England during their Ashes cricket test match in Melbourne, Friday, Dec. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Hamish Blair)
England's Gus Atkinson, center, celebrates with teammates after bowling Australia's Travis Head during their Ashes cricket test match in Melbourne, Friday, Dec. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Hamish Blair)
Australia's Travis Head is bowled by England's Gus Atkinson during their Ashes cricket test match in Melbourne, Friday, Dec. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Hamish Blair)
England's Josh Tongue, right, celebrates the wicket of Australia's Marnus Labuschagne, left, during their Ashes cricket test match in Melbourne, Friday, Dec. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Hamish Blair)
Australia's Usman Khawaja sign autograph to fans after they won the third Ashes cricket test match against England in Adelaide, Australia, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 (AP Photo/James Elsby)
England's Jacob Bethell warms up before their Ashes cricket test match against Australia in Melbourne, Friday, Dec. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Hamish Blair)
