GOSHEN – The jury in the Megan McDonald murder retrial has now deliberated for 12 full days after being unable to reach a verdict on Tuesday in Orange County Court Judge Hyun Chin Kim’s courtroom.
A day earlier, the jury seemed headed for a second mistrial. Shortly after noon on Monday, jurors told the judge they were deadlocked. It was the third time during deliberations that the panel indicated it was unable to decide since it began deliberating on Friday, Feb. 28.
Judge Kim told jurors she would determine whether to declare a mistrial or have them continue deliberating after their lunch break.
When jurors returned to the courtroom at about 2 p.m., Kim delivered an Allen charge, which is an instruction given to a deadlocked jury encouraging members to continue deliberations and attempt to reach a unanimous verdict.
Since then, the jury has continued to deliberate without sending Judge Kim notes for additional testimony or with questions. The jury had previously sent her approximately 25 notes during deliberations. Judge Kim extended court hours this week for the jury, and deliberations in “night court” ended at about 6:15 p.m. on Tuesday.
The defendant in the case, Edward Holley, 45, of Wawayanda, is accused of killing McDonald 23 years ago in the Town of Wallkill. State Police arrested him in April 2023 and charged him with murder, which carries a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.
Jury deliberations continue today (Wednesday).
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