Man Charged In 2003 Death Released; Special Prosecutor Appointed

GOSHEN, NY — Edward Holley, the man who was accused in the 2003 death of Megan McDonald, will be released from custody because he wasn't indicted within six days of his arrest.

Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler said in a statement Holley had to be released because it was “not feasible for any prosecutor to present a matter of this size and complexity, and obtain an indictment, within the six days required by New York State Law.”

Additionally, Hoovler said he requested that a special prosecutor be appointed to oversee the case which is pending in the Town of Wallkill Justice Court.

He said that, while in private practice prior to becoming district attorney, he represented a client in negotiations with the DA’s office regarding potential information that the client might have been able to provide regarding McDonald’s death.

That client died before Hoovler became district attorney.

“Based on the theory of the case as set forth in the felony complaint, coupled with the facts concerning District Attorney Hoovler’s prior legal representation, there would be a substantial appearance of a conflict of interest if the prosecution of this case remained with the Orange County District Attorney’s Office,” the news release from the DA’s office said.

Julia D. Cornachio, Esq., an attorney who has more than 30 years of experience as a prosecutor and who has handled numerous homicide cases in the Bronx and Westchester County, was appointed special district attorney to prosecute the case.

She will be assisted by Laura Murphy, Esq., another experienced former prosecutor who has handled numerous homicide cases and was the chief of the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office Cold Case Bureau.

Holley was arrested April 20 and charged with second-degree murder, a felony, in the death of McDonald, who was found dead in the town of Wallkill on March 15, 2003.

She had been killed in the driver’s seat of her 1991 Mercury Sable, and her body was dumped on a dirt path off Bowser Road.

Authorities said she died of multiple skull fractures and brain injuries from blunt force trauma.

Police said Holley owed McDonald money which was causing hostility between the two leading up to the homicide.

Numerous witnesses contradicted Holley’s alibis for the night of the murder, according to law enforcement.