Jury asks for several pieces of evidence during Edward Holley murder trial deliberations
The initial request on Wednesday is on the first full day of deliberations in the second-degree murder case against Edward Holley.
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An Orange County jury is continuing to deliberate the fate of a Wawayanda man who’s accused of killing his ex-girlfriend in a crime more than 20 years ago.
The jury sent back two notes Wednesday, on the first full day of deliberations in the second-degree murder case against Edward Holley.
Some of the items requested include Holley’s written statements, a video-taped interview with state police, DNA evidence linking Holley to the victim’s cellphone and car, readbacks of witness testimony, Holley’s phone records and crime scene pictures.
Holley is accused of bludgeoning his ex-girlfriend, 21-year-old Megan McDonald, in 2003 with a claw hammer and dumping her body in a Town of Wallkill field. Prosecutors said the crime was motivated by money, jealousy and control.
During the trial, prosecutors relied heavily on discrepancies in Holley’s statements to police over the years, including remarks about the murder that they said seemed as if he was there.
Holley’s defense, however, says the evidence failed to prove his guilt without a reasonable doubt – so much so that they decided not to call any witnesses in a last-minute, bombshell move. His attorney said during closing statements that evidence pointing to other potential suspects, including another ex-boyfriend who may have been with McDonald the night she was killed, was ignored by state police.
Jury deliberations will continue Thursday.
If found guilty, Holley could face 25 years to life in prison.
