Prosecutors 'possibly' close to grand jury review in case against Megan McDonald's accused killer
Edward Holley is accused of killing 20-year-old Megan McDonald in a high-profile cold case dating back two decades.
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It's been four months since Edward Holley was charged by state police with killing Megan McDonald in a high-profile cold case dating back two decades, but prosecutors have yet to indict him.
The 43-year-old from Wawayanda was back in Wallkill Town Court on Wednesday. Special prosecutor Jula Cornachio asked for an adjournment saying they're close to "possibly" moving forward with the case and presenting it to a grand jury.
As News 12 has reported, Holley was charged by state police in April with murdering the 20-year-old woman in a long-awaited, stunning resolution to the cold case, but it's seemingly been riddled with problems since.
"They don't have anything. They're taking information and they're trying to twist it to make it look like facts," said Holley's attorney, Paul Weber. "I've reviewed all of the discovery. They have nothing. So, it's two investigators trying to make a name for themselves. That's all it is. That's why the DA separated himself. He doesn't want any part of it."
Weber says state police have the wrong guy despite a 17-page complaint that alleges new DNA technology links the longtime suspect to the murder.
Orange County District Attorney Dave Hoovler removed himself from the case right after Holley's arrest citing a conflict and saying his office was oddly never notified that charges were going to be filed. Two special prosecutors from Westchester, Julia Cornachio and Laura Murphy, were assigned to the case.
Holley has yet to be indicted and the complicated case could be thrown out if he's not.
"We have a lot of material we're still going through, and you know, the investigation never stops," said Cornachio. "It doesn't matter, those 20 years. we are preparing to hopefully present to the grand jury in the near future."
Holley is McDonald's ex-boyfriend. He's accused of bludgeoning the Burke Catholic High School graduate from the backseat of her car after they broke up and she started seeing someone else. State police say McDonald called Holley on the night of her murder to buy marijuana. Her body was found in a wooded field off Bowser Road on March 15, 2003.
The grand jury review in the case was expected to be completed as a matter of law by October but court proceedings hint that it may take longer. Cornachio says the law allows for more time when it comes to homicide cases.
Holley is free without bail and is due back in Wallkill Town Court Nov. 15.
