New evidence reveals Edward Holley believed Meagan McDonald was pregnant with his baby when she was killed
News 12 was inside the courtroom when it was revealed publicly for the first time that accused killer Edward Holley believed McDonald was pregnant with his baby when she was killed.
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A pretrial hearing held Wednesday in the cold case murder of Meagan McDonald featured feuding attorneys, last-minute evidence and bombshell details.
News 12 was inside the courtroom when it was revealed publicly for the first time that accused killer Edward Holley believed McDonald was pregnant with his baby when she was killed.
Holley said that on video to seemingly surprised state police investigators during an hourslong 2019 interrogation. He said McDonald told him she was pregnant with his baby just days before she was bludgeoned to death in the Town of Wallkill in 2003.
State police also said on tape that McDonald had cocaine in her system when she died, which Holley said he knew and had been upset about.
Holley and McDonald were broken up when she was killed. He said during the interrogation that they were arguing and she was seeing an abusive ex-boyfriend, who he believes did it.
State police characterized Holley as jealous ex when they said new evidence led them to arrest the longtime suspect last year but Holley’s defense says he’s innocent and that there are other suspects.
Before the video was played, the hearing was almost adjourned because Holley’s defense said they were given thousands of new pieces of evidence by the special prosecutors on the case two days ago but both sides eventually agreed to continue playing the video since no testimony was expected.
The hearing is expected to take at least another two days and is scheduled to continue Nov. 16 and Nov. 20.
Holley’s defense will be allowed to recall any witnesses who’ve already testified during the pretrial hearing after they finish reviewing the new evidence, which was said to be emails and texts between state police investigators.
