Edward Holley: Ex-boyfriend of NYPD detective's daughter indicted 20 years after she was murdered

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

WALLKILL, UNITED STATES: On January 29, an Orange County grand jury handed up an indictment charging Edward V Holley with a single count of second-degree murder in the 2003 death of Megan McDonald.

Holley is accused of murdering his ex-girlfriend, Megan McDonald, whose body was found in a field in Wallkill in 2003. The arrest of the 42-year-old in April marked a significant development, bringing closure to a long-standing cold case.

Megan McDonald, the daughter of a retired NYPD detective, lost her life due to blunt-force trauma. Law enforcement alleges that Holley committed the murder over a financial debt he owed Megan, exacerbated by her involvement with someone else at the time, as per abc7.

How did Megan McDonald’s family react?

In a statement relayed by John Beatty, the attorney representing Megan McDonald's family, it was conveyed, “The family of Megan McDonald, who was brutally murdered on March 14, 2003, is gratified and relieved to hear that the grand jury has indicted her killer.” 

The statement further asserted, “The family has been waiting for justice for 20 years and is grateful to the hardworking New York State Police and the special prosecutors appointed to present the evidence,”

This follows the announcement of the indictment in the murder case of Megan McDonald by special prosecutor Julia Cornachio as per Lohud.

Special prosecutor Julia Cornachio was named to the 20-year-old cold case last April with co-counsel Laura Murphy after District Attorney David M Hoovler recused himself.

Emphasizing the significance of the indictment, the statement noted, “The indictment of Edward Holley is a significant step towards justice for Megan and her family. The family is hopeful that the judicial process will continue to progress fairly and impartially and that Edward Holley will be held justly accountable for his actions. The family would like to sincerely thank the community for their support during this difficult time. They ask for privacy as they continue to grieve the loss of their beloved Megan."

What did Edward Holley’s attorney claim?

Conversely, Holley Weber's attorney responded to Monday's indictment with a lengthy statement criticizing the grand jury process, deeming it "unfair to the grand jurors and even more so to the defendant." 

According to the statement, the process occurs behind closed doors and presents only one perspective without allowing defense attorneys to participate in the grand jury room, object to questions, or cross-examine witnesses. Weber expressed the ongoing need for additional "discovery" evidence from Cornachio.

Maintaining his stance, Weber asserted, "The truth will come out in the end. Edward Holley had nothing to do with the murder of Megan McDonald." 

While Holley was initially scheduled to appear in Green's Wallkill court on January 31, the indictment led to the case's transfer to Orange County Court. 

Cornachio announced that Holley will face arraignment on the new charge before Judge Hyun Chin Kim at 9.30 am on February 2.