Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania judge charged with shooting ex-boyfriend as he slept

Published

10 months ago

February 19, 2024

Pennsylvania judge charged with shooting ex-boyfriend as he slept

Suspended district judge Sonya McKnight. Photo / AP

A suspended magistrate in Pennsylvania shot her estranged boyfriend in the head as he slept last weekend, police said, in filing attempted murder and aggravated assault charges against her.

Tests showed Judge Sonya McKnight, 57, had gunshot residue on her hands an hour after Michael McCoy was shot in the bed of his home in the Harrisburg area, Susquehanna Township Police wrote in an arrest affidavit.

McKnight was in the Dauphin County Prison last weekend with bail set at US$300,000 ($488,000). No lawyer was listed for her in court records. A lawyer who had represented her previously said he did not currently represent her and declined comment. A message was left on McKnight’s cellphone.

Authorities say McCoy is now blind in his right eye.

Police wrote that McCoy, 54, had tried “numerous times” to get McKnight to move out after he ended their one-year relationship. McCoy came home to find McKnight in pyjamas on the couch. When he returned from a restaurant he told her he planned to get McKnight’s mother’s help to get her out of the home.

“Michael McCoy stated that it was like she finally understood that it was over,” police said. He went to bed at about 11pm.

McCoy awoke to “massive head pain” and was unable to see, police said, and when he began to scream McKnight told him, “Mike what did you do to yourself?” He had suffered a gunshot wound to the right temple that exited his left temple, police said. McCoy told police at the scene and later at the hospital that he did not shoot himself.

When McKnight called emergency services shortly before 1am, she “could not explain what happened and stated that she was sleeping and heard him screaming”, police said in the affidavit.

Investigators found doorbell videos from neighbouring homes that contradicted McKnight’s claim that she did not leave the home the night of the shooting. McCoy suspected she had checked on him at the tavern. Detectives wrote in the affidavit that the gun was registered to McKnight and both of them said no one else was in the home at the time of the shooting.

The attempted murder case was transferred from the Dauphin County district attorney’s office, which cited a conflict of interest, to a neighbouring prosecutor, Cumberland County District Attorney Sean McCormack. A message was left seeking comment from McCormack.

McKnight, an elected judge in Dauphin County since 2016, was suspended without pay in mid-November by the Court of Judicial Discipline, which handles misconduct allegations against judges.

The Judicial Conduct Board, which investigates and charges misconduct cases against Pennsylvania judges, claimed in a September filing that McKnight had violated judicial probation from a previous misconduct case centred on her actions regarding a 2020 traffic stop involving her son. She was acquitted of criminal charges in that matter.

Among the pending misconduct allegations, the board alleges that she gave excess leave to members of her court staff; directed an aide to ignore a woman’s civil complaint that claimed McKnight owed her for a $2100 ($3419) loan; and used a Facebook profile with her photo in judicial robes to promote sales of a consumer product.

Pennlive.com reported that McKnight was not charged for shooting her estranged husband in 2019 — after inviting him to her home to help her move furniture. State prosecutors did not charge her, citing self-defence, Pennlive said.

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Pennsylvania

$1M winning Mega Millions ticket sold in Pennsylvania

Published

7 hours ago

December 21, 2024

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M winning Mega Millions ticket sold in Pennsylvania

Check your tickets! Someone in Pennsylvania won big in Friday’s Mega Millions drawing.

While the jackpot is still rolling, someone in Pennsylvania matched all five winning numbers drawn Friday night— 2-20-51-56-67, but not the Mega Ball, 19, to win $1 million. The Megaplier was 2X.

Three other Pennsylvania Mega Millions players matched four of five numbers drawn, winning $10,000.

Click here for more information from the Pennsylvania Lottery and to check if your ticket won anything.

The Mega Millions jackpot is estimated to be worth $944 million for the next drawing on Christmas Eve.

The Mega Millions odds are 1 in 302.6 million. Winners can choose an annuity with annual payments over 29 years, but most almost always take the cash option.

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Pennsylvania

Gigi Hadid, Bradley Cooper flock to Pennsylvania town turned celebrity haven: expert

Published

15 hours ago

December 21, 2024

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Gigi Hadid, Bradley Cooper flock to Pennsylvania town turned celebrity haven: expert

Check out what’s clicking on FoxBusiness.com.

New Hope, Pennsylvania, a quaint town of 2,500 people, is becoming a new celebrity haven as it offers a “peaceful and private lifestyle” away from the hustle and bustle of New York City, according to experts.

Gigi Hadid, Bella Hadid and their mother, Yolanda Hadid, bought a property in the tiny town in 2017, according to Realtor.

The property, which is called Carousel Farm, was purchased for $3.7 million and consists of a 5,0000 square-foot stone house, a barn that can accommodate 16 horses, and an in-ground pool, according to the outlet.

‘YELLOWSTONE’ FANS FLOCK TO MONTANA TO ‘EXPERIENCE UNTAMED AMERICA’: EXPERT

Bella Hadid, Gigi Hadid and Yolanda Hadid reportedly purchased a home in New Hope, Pa., in 2017. (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for V Magazine / Getty Images)

Aerial view of Yolanda Hadid’s farm in Pennsylvania (MEGA / Mega)

The listing of the property describes the home as a “gentleman’s estate” where guests can “relax around the pool, go riding on the 32+ acres, or just play your own version of Gatsby.”

In April 2020, Bella and Gigi posed for Vogue’s March issue on their ranch: “Postcard from Home for Vogue,” Gigi captioned her post.

BRADLEY COOPER SAYS HE’S ‘LUCKY’ TO HAVE REMAINED SOBER FOR 19 YEARS

The Hadids’ home is called the “Carousel Farm” and is a 5,000 square-foot stone house in New Hope, Pa. (Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Lifetime / Getty Images)

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Gigi’s ex-boyfriend and father of her child, Zayn Malik, also owns a home in New Hope.

Earlier this year, Malik spoke to British Vogue about the benefits of owning a property in the Pennsylvania town and said it’s a “great place to reflect on your thoughts and think about things without the noise of the world.”

He also noted that his home in New Hope gave him the inspiration for his latest album, “Room Under the Stairs.”

Zayn Malik told British Vogue about the benefits of owning a home in Pennsylvania earlier this year. (Swan Gallet/WWD via Getty Images / Getty Images)

The current man in Gigi’s life, Bradley Cooper, also owns a home in New Hope, just down the street from Carousel Farm, according to the New York Post. The outlet reported that Cooper, who grew up just an hour away in Jenkintown, purchased the home for $6.5 million in December 2023.

Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid were previously in a relationship and share a daughter. (Mike Coppola/Getty Images for People.com / Getty Images)

Cooper’s newly purchased home was built in 1704 and has undergone extensive renovations, per The Post. The home has seven bedrooms, six bathrooms and is 6,300 square feet.

Tabitha Heit, a licensed relator, told Fox Business, “As a real estate agent licensed in both Pennsylvania and New York, I’ve noticed a significant trend of New Yorkers relocating to Pennsylvania.

“There are several reasons for this shift: the slightly milder climate, more affordable living compared to states like New York and New Jersey, and the overall appeal of the area.”

Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper reportedly own homes on the same street in New Hope, Pa. (Getty Images / Getty Images)

Bradley Cooper and Gigi Hadid have been romantically linked since October 2023. (Aeon/GC Images / Getty Images)

Heit told Fox Business that since inventory has been “tight” for years, the recent increase in demand has been driving up home prices.

“I would imagine celebrities are drawn to this area as well as it likely offers them a more peaceful and private lifestyle. New Hope, with its artsy vibe, is a standout town, and its location – just across the river from New Jersey – makes it incredibly accessible,” Heit noted.

“I would imagine celebrities are drawn to this area as well as it likely offers them a more peaceful and private lifestyle.”
– Tabitha Heit, licensed relator

She added, “Doylestown is another hot spot in Bucks County, offering charm, culture and a vibrant community that continues to attract buyers.”

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Carle Robbins, a broker in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, told Fox Business that New Hope and Doylestown are where celebrities like to dine.

“But the celebs live in the surrounding townships: Solebury, Upper Makefield, Plumstead, Tinicum,” Robbins added.

Justin Bieber is among the celebrities seen in New Hope, Pa., in recent years. (Jason Merritt / Getty Images)

According to Realtor, the median home price in New Hope is $1.3 million. The outlet also noted that New Hope is in the middle of New York and Philadelphia, which makes it an attractive location for commuters.

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The outlet reported that stars like Leonardo DiCaprio, Justin Bieber and Tina Fey have all been seen in New Hope in recent years.

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Pennsylvania

Christmas is a few days away. Here’s what’s open, closed in Pennsylvania

Published

23 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Press Room

Christmas is a few days away. Here’s what’s open, closed in Pennsylvania

The Christmas holiday weekend is now just days away, and you’ll need to know what will be open and closed in Pennsylvania so you can properly navigate the holidays.

Here’s your Christmas roundup.

Christmas Day 2024 is on Wednesday and considered a federal holiday, so most regular business will be impacted.

Major banks will be closed on Christmas

The major banks — Bank of America, Capital One, Citibank, PNC, Wells Fargo and Truist — consider Christmas to be a bank holiday, and will be closed.

Will federal courts be open on Christmas?

All federal and Pennsylvania state courts and non-essential services will be closed on December 25.

Mail, packages won’t be delivered on Christmas Day

FedEx will be closed on Christmas Day, and will not deliver any packages.

All United States Postal Service locations will be closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Regular post office hours and mail delivery will resume on the Thursday following each holiday.

UPS will be closed on Christmas as well, and will not deliver any packages.

Damon C. Williams is a Philadelphia-based journalist reporting on trending topics across the Mid-Atlantic Region.

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