GOSHEN – Edward Holley, indicted on a murder charge earlier this week, entered a not guilty plea in Orange County Court this morning.
Holley, 43, is accused of killing former intimate partner Megan McDonald, in Wallkill in March 2003.
Special prosecutor Julia Comachio told Judge Hyun Chin Kim that evidence will show that the victim was “brutally beaten” in the head with a blunt object by Holley. “She was unrecognizable when she was discovered.”
Holley, a paraplegic who is on probation following a drug conviction listened as the prosecutor ask that he be remanded to jail because he is a flight risk.
Holley’s attorney, Paul Weber Jr. adamantly opposed the request, arguing that it will make it difficult to meet with his client in the jail while they work on their strategy.
Judge Kim listened to the arguments before noting that Holley has a prior felony conviction, a murder indictment, and access to out of state resources.
“The deceased has suffered the most,” Judge Kim said, before setting bail at $500,000 cash, $1 million bond, or $2 million partially-secured bond.
Holley was sent to the Orange County Jail where he will remain until bail is posted or the court proceedings draw to a close.
The next appearance is scheduled for February 21 before Judge Kim.
