Judge Hyun Chin Kim's courtroom turned silent as she took a deep breath and shared her decision that although the jury worked for eight days and has reviewed several hours of testimony, she would tell the jury to keep deliberating.

The jury in the second murder trial of Ed Holley wrote to Judge Kim Wednesday afternoon for the second time informing her they cannot reach a verdict in the trial for the 2003 murder of Megan McDonald.

"We cannot reach a unanimous decision," the foreperson wrote. "We are deadlocked!"

Prosecutors said Holley, now 45, attacked Megan in her 1991 Mercury Sable, hitting her several times in the head and face with a hammer as the fight moved outside.

The case against Holley involved testimony from New York State Police investigators, Holley's inconsistent statements in past police interviews, testimony from a jail informant claiming her overheard Holley talk about the crime, and an argument at a youth basketball game that prosecutors said showed Holley has a temper.

The case involved little physical evidence, no eyewitness testimony and no confession from Holley.

As she built up to her decision. Judge Kim pointed out that deliberations began Friday, February 27 and that the jury has previously told the court they were deadlocked.

Judge Kim ultimately decided to re-read some deliberation instructions and send them back to the deliberation room.

Both Megan's family and Holley's family shook their heads with straight faces upon learning the case is coming close to a mistrial.

Holley's defense team pushed for the jury to continue deliberating.

The special prosecutors took a less clear stance.

Holley's previous trial in spring 2025 ended in a mistrial.

The split in 2025 was nine for not guilty and three for guilty, according to multiple sources.

All parties will return to the Orange County Courthouse Thursday morning for Day 9 of deliberations.