The high-profile murder case against a Wawayanda man accused of murdering his ex-girlfriend more than two decades ago took another important step toward the trial date on Tuesday, as attorneys for both sides hashed out several issues during a tense hearing in Orange County Court.

Megan McDonald’s alleged killer, Edward Holley, was arrested in 2023 – 20 years after the town of Wallkill murder.

As the trial nears, attorneys argued about whether some pieces of evidence can be used, and Judge Hyun Chin Kim denied the defense’s motion to dismiss the case altogether.

Holley’s attorney’s alleged that two special prosecutors assigned to the case at $300 an hour have been financially motivated to prosecute the long-time suspect.

Judge Kim disagreed.

The two sides also talked about if the defense can use an expert “memory science” professor at the trial to defend alleged discrepancies in Holley’s alibi over the years.

Kim did not immediately decide if that expert could be used.

Jury selection is set for March 3.