Exclusive: Edward Holley speaks out after acquittal in Megan McDonald murder retrial
After more than two years behind bars and two emotional trials, Holley walks free from Orange County Jail
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Edward Holley walked out of Orange County Jail a free man Wednesday, about an hour after a jury found him not guilty in the 2003 murder of Megan McDonald.
Holley had been held at the jail since his indictment in January 2024, facing a charge of second-degree murder and the possibility of 25 years to life in prison.
The case was prosecuted by two special prosecutors assigned to handle the matter after Orange County District Attorney Dave Hoovler recused himself due to a conflict of interest. Hoovler had previously represented another suspect in the case, Andre Thurston — who is now deceased — shortly after the crime while he was in private practice.
Holley had long been considered a suspect in the case. State police zeroed in on him in part because of what prosecutors said were conflicting statements he made to investigators over the years about the night of McDonald’s murder.
State police and prosecutors said the motive was that Holley was a jealous ex-boyfriend who owed McDonald money.
State police arrested Holley in 2023, citing new “cyber DNA” evidence. But that CyberCheck evidence later came under scrutiny over the company’s practices and was ultimately deemed unreliable and not allowed to be used in court.
Prosecutors accused Holley of killing McDonald, whose body was found in a field in Wallkill in 2003. The case relied largely on circumstantial evidence, with no DNA evidence tying Holley to the murder.
The defense argued that the evidence pointed to other potential suspects who were never fully investigated, raising reasonable doubt for jurors.
After more than two weeks of deliberations — during which jurors sent multiple notes saying they were deadlocked and unable to reach a unanimous decision — the jury ultimately acquitted Holley.
Holley’s retrial comes after his first trial ended in a mistrial in April 2025.
News 12 was there as Holley left the jail, smiling and embracing his attorney and loved ones waiting outside.
“I’m feeling great. I’m feeling grateful,” Holley told News 12 in an exclusive interview moments after his release.
Earlier in the day, Holley was seen crying in court as the verdict was read.
Now, he says he’s focused on moving forward.
“Just go home and enjoy my time with my family, my friends and just get my life back together as much as possible,” he said.
His wife, Diane Holley, picked him up from the jail and drove him away.
“It’s finally a relief to bring him home… big relief,” she said.
As they left, Holley waved goodbye to his defense team before driving away.
