Help find justice for Megan McDonald

Know something? Say something. Call state police at (845) 344-5370 or Email crimetip@troopers.ny.gov

Family of brutally slain New York student feels betrayed by prosecutor, allege ‘secret plea deal’ with suspect

They have accused Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler of trying to stymie the investigation, failing to disclose that he once represented a suspect in McDonald’s killing and offering a “secret” plea deal with the man charged with second-degree murder in her death in 2003.

Megan McDonald's Family files attorney disciplinary complaints against "unethical, possibly criminal"
Orange County DA David Marion Hoovler, others

Complaints from Betty Jo (Elizabeth) McDonald

Complaints from Karen Whalen

DEA calls on Governor Hochul to investigate Hoovler

The NYPD's Detectives' Endowment Association on Tuesday made it official, asking Gov. Kathy Hochul, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and New York Attorney General Letitia James for a "full and thorough investigation of Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler" over his "unethical and underhanded" actions in the Megan McDonald murder investigation

DEA and McDonald Family to FBI: Investigate David Hoovler

"I echo the DEA's sentiment that this case needs some investigative oversite. If the Governor's office, or the Attorney general, or the FBI would come to our aid in trying to get answers in this case both for this family who's been so injured but also for the taxpayers of Orange County"

State Police Say District Attorney David Hoovler Tampered with Investigation

"Hoovler, it turns out, had a link to the McDonald homicide, a connection he hadn’t divulged to the public for more than 15 years, and still hasn’t fully revealed. "

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Timeline of Events

View the timeline of events pertaining to Megan's case here

Bad Blood

"An internal State Police report lays bare the McDonald investigation and reaches a stunning conclusion: That Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler deliberately tampered with the case"