Edward Holley Files Notice of Claim Alleging Misconduct by State Police After Acquittal in Megan McDonald Case

GOSHEN, New York — Edward Holley has filed a notice of claim against the New York State Police and Orange County, alleging misconduct during the investigation and prosecution that led to his arrest in the decades-old murder of Megan McDonald.

The 96-page filing is a required legal step before a lawsuit can be filed against a government entity. Holley was acquitted in March after spending more than two years in jail while awaiting trial. His first trial ended in a hung jury.

According to the filing, Holley’s attorneys allege investigators lacked probable cause to arrest him and continued pursuing the case despite concerns about the evidence. The claim accuses investigators of manipulating evidence, influencing witnesses, attempting to shape public opinion through the media, and creating conflicts of interest that removed key officials from the case.

The filing also alleges investigators failed to fully pursue other investigative leads involving previously identified individuals connected to the case and cites text messages that Holley’s legal team claims demonstrate efforts to influence both public perception and prosecutorial decisions.

Holley is seeking damages for lost wages, emotional distress, reputational harm, and the more than two years he spent incarcerated before being acquitted.

Orange County Attorney Rick Golden confirmed the county received the notice of claim and said it intends to vigorously defend the case, calling the allegations without legal merit. New York State Police also confirmed receipt of the filing but declined to comment on the allegations.