Juror in Ed Holley murder trial excused, replaced, as jury examines more evidence and testimony
The alternate juror has been present for the entire trial, but had not been in the deliberation room until being added to the 12-person jury Monday.
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The jury in the second trial of Edward Holley, who is accused of killing his ex-girlfriend in 2003, reviewed a certain part of a 2019 police interview that prosecutors have said is important and the defense said was a trick.
Meanwhile, the family of the victim, Megan McDonald, is calling for civility on social media due to attacks and accusations against witnesses and others involved in the trial.
The jury listened again to part of the interview with Holley about the 2003 death of McDonald.
It started with Holley coming to New York State Police barracks in the Town of Wallkill to speak with then-Trooper Samantha Gau about a verbal altercation Holley had with another parent at a youth basketball game in Minisink that led to the rest of the game being canceled.
Once the hour-long interview was finished, State Police Investigator Brad Natalizio entered the room and started asking Holley questions about Megan's murder.
Investigators said that parlaying the first interview into a surprise three-hour interview about Megan was planned and in bounds.
The defense referred to the tactic multiple times as a trick to put Holley back on the record talking about Megan.
Prosecutors say Holley attacked Megan in her car, and hitting her in the head and face with a hammer several times as the fight moved outside the car.
Holley was arrested in 2023 and charged with murder.
He is accused of acting in concert with someone else to kill Megan.
Megan's body was found the following day off Bowser Road.
Her head and face were caved in.
Her car was found in an apartment complex parking lot also in the Town of Wallkill with blood inside.
The case against him is mostly circumstantial.
The McDonald family took to social media Monday morning to call out harassment, intimidation and misinformation in the news media and on social media.
"Let the justice system do its job," the family wrote. "Show respect for the process and for the people involved."
A juror was also excused Monday afternoon due to a family emergency, and was replaced by an alternate juror.
The alternate juror has been present for the entire trial, but had not been in the deliberation room until being added to the 12-person jury Monday.
The jury will return Tuesday morning to review more evidence they requested toward the end of the day.
They will also review testimony from the prosecution's DNA experts.
