EPISODE · Nov 22, 2025 · 2H 7M
Attempted Murder on Saddle Ridge Drive: How Judge Sonya McKnight Fell from the Bench
from The Black Docket · host Tammi
A Pennsylvania judge goes from “All rise” to “Guilty” – but this time, she’s the one on the other side of the bench.In this episode of The Black Docket, we dive into the rise and fall of former Dauphin County Judge Sonya McKnight, a Black woman who beat the odds, won a magisterial seat in Harrisburg, and built a reputation as the judge who “understood the community.” But behind the robe, the story at home was chaos: protection-from-abuse orders, a volatile marriage, blurred lines between “mom” and “judge,” and a long history of the system trying to check her.Everything explodes on a quiet street in Susquehanna Township when her boyfriend, Michael McCoy, goes to bed in his own house and wakes up blind in one eye, shot in the head while he slept. With only two people in the home that night, the question for the jury is simple: if he says he didn’t shoot himself… then who did?We walk through the case step by stepIf you’re into Black true crime, courtroom cases, judicial misconduct, domestic violence, and stories about what happens when the legal system turns on its own – especially when it’s us on the docket – this episode is for you.New to The Black Docket? Hit follow/subscribe, rate the show, and share this episode with someone who loves true crime told by Black voices, for Black listeners.Because on The Black Docket… when it’s us on the docket, we gon’ talk it.🕊️🕊️The Missing Docket🕊️🕊️Bryce HawthorneAge: 12Height: 5’5Weight: 110lbsEyes: BrownHair: ShortIf you see him or know anything please contact the Philadelphia Police Department 215-686-2343Listen to The Black Docket Podcast🎧 Spotify: The Black Docket on Spotify🍎 Apple Podcasts: The Black Docket on Apple Podcast💛 iHeartRadio Podcasts: The Black Docket on iHeartRadio Podcast🎙️ Amazon Music: The Black Docket on AmazonJoin the Investigation🔔 Hit the bell to never miss an episode.💬 Comment your theories—we read every one.🕵️♀️ Follow me on social media for behind-the-scenes updates, case breakdowns, and my occasional rants about why the justice system needs a makeover:📸 Instagram: The_black_docket🎥 TikTok: TheBlackDocketPodcast🐦 Twitter: TheBlackDocket
What this episode covers
A Pennsylvania judge goes from “All rise” to “Guilty” – but this time, she’s the one on the other side of the bench.In this episode of The Black Docket, we dive into the rise and fall of former Dauphin County Judge Sonya McKnight, a Black woman who beat the odds, won a magisterial seat in Harrisburg, and built a reputation as the judge who “understood the community.” But behind the robe, the story at home was chaos: protection-from-abuse orders, a volatile marriage, blurred lines between “mom” and “judge,” and a long history of the system trying to check her.Everything explodes on a quiet street in Susquehanna Township when her boyfriend, Michael McCoy, goes to bed in his own house and wakes up blind in one eye, shot in the head while he slept. With only two people in the home that night, the question for the jury is simple: if he says he didn’t shoot himself… then who did?We walk through the case step by stepIf you’re into Black true crime, courtroom cases, judicial misconduct, domestic violence, and stories about what happens when the legal system turns on its own – especially when it’s us on the docket – this episode is for you.New to The Black Docket? Hit follow/subscribe, rate the show, and share this episode with someone who loves true crime told by Black voices, for Black listeners.Because on The Black Docket… when it’s us on the docket, we gon’ talk it.🕊️🕊️The Missing Docket🕊️🕊️Bryce HawthorneAge: 12Height: 5’5Weight: 110lbsEyes: BrownHair: ShortIf you see him or know anything please contact the Philadelphia Police Department 215-686-2343Listen to The Black Docket Podcast🎧 Spotify: The Black Docket on Spotify🍎 Apple Podcasts: The Black Docket on Apple Podcast💛 iHeartRadio Podcasts: The Black Docket on iHeartRadio Podcast🎙️ Amazon Music: The Black Docket on AmazonJoin the Investigation🔔 Hit the bell to never miss an episode.💬 Comment your theories—we read every one.🕵️♀️ Follow me on social media for behind-the-scenes updates, case breakdowns, and my occasional rants about why the justice system needs a makeover:📸 Instagram: The_black_docket🎥 TikTok: TheBlackDocketPodcast🐦 Twitter: TheBlackDocket
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Attempted Murder on Saddle Ridge Drive: How Judge Sonya McKnight Fell from the Bench
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