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People of New York v Edward Holley, Sr.

TrueAllele analyzes evidence recovered from car of homicide victim

Crime On March 15, 2003, 20-year-old Megan McDonald was found dead with extensive wounds to her head and upper body. Her car was missing. Two days later, a resident of an apartment complex reported that she located McDonald’s vehicle in the complex parking lot.
Evidence Investigators collected evidence from the victim’s vehicle, cell phone, hair tie, and plastic bag.
DNA The New York State Police Forensic Investigation Center developed DNA data from the evidence, including from the victim’s cell phone and driver’s seat cover.
Match The crime laboratory was unable to generate informative results for some items due to incomplete genetic profiles and low quantities of DNA.
TrueAllele On the same data for over 20 evidence items, Cybergenetics performed a free TrueAllele screening, and compared the evidence to over 40 references. Police requested a TrueAllele report on the two evidence items (cell phone and driver’s seat cover) that the computer calculated small inclusionary match statistics to suspect Edward Holley, Sr (53.3 and 23.8, respectively).
Cybergenetics    On January 11, 2024, Cybergenetics casework supervisor Bill Allan testified before an Orange County grand jury about the TrueAllele DNA results. Following the indictment, the defense filed a motion to try and preclude the TrueAllele evidence, with the state submitting a response. On February 11, 2025, the judge admitted TrueAllele into evidence without a hearing. Then, on April 2 and 3, 2025, Mr. Allan testified in the first jury trial. On February 13, 2026, Mr. Allan testified in Mr. Holley’s re-trial.
Outcome On April 16, 2025, after a month-long trial and six days of deliberation, the jury was unable to reach a unanimous decision, and the judge declared a mistrial. Following a re-trial, the jury found Mr. Holley not guilty on March 18, 2026.
Media

  • Edward Holley, 42, arrested in 2003 killing of 20-year-old Megan McDonald in Wallkill, New York - CBS News New York
  • Police make arrest in 20-year-old NY cold case after DNA links suspect to death of Megan McDonald - USA Today
  • Megan McDonald murder: Edward Holley arraigned in Orange County court on 2003 cold case - lohud.com
  • Indictment alleges Edward Holley did not act alone in Megan McDonald killing - Times Union
  • Megan McDonald murder trial begins Monday; what to know - Times Union
  • Stunning move by defense sends Mcdonald murder trial to final phase - Times Union
  • Jury deliberations underway in high-profile murder case against Edward Holley - News12 New York
  • Orange County judge declares mistrial in Edward Holley’s trial for the 2003 murder of Megan McDonald - NBC News
  • Megan McDonald trial: Photos that tell the story of the 2003 cold case murder to this point - Times Herald-Record
  • Edward Holley gets retrial date in Megan McDonald murder case - Times Union
  • Retrial for Edward Holley, accused of killing his ex-girlfriend, begins - Spectrum News 1
  • Opening statements begin in Edward Holley retrial for 2003 murder of Megan McDonald - News12 Westchester
  • Jury zeros in on cellphone as deliberations in Ed Holley murder trial extend into next week - News12 Westchester
  • New juror in Ed Holley murder trial is science teacher with background in forensics; leads to clashes in court - News12 Westchester
  • Jury finds Edward Holley not guilty in 2003 murder of Megan McDonald - News12 Westchester
  • Edward Holley found not guilty in retrial - Spectrum News 1
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