A New York appeals court has overturned the manslaughter conviction of Kaitlyn Conley, who had been accused of fatally poisoning her boss, chiropractor Dr. Mary Yoder, in 2015. The court ruled that improperly obtained evidence from Conley’s cell phone had been used in her conviction, leading to the reversal of her sentence.
Manslaughter Conviction Overturned
Kaitlyn Conley, now 31, had been serving a 23-year prison sentence for the poisoning death of Dr. Mary Yoder, a case that garnered widespread attention, even inspiring a documentary series. Conley was initially convicted in 2017 after a retrial, following a hung jury in her first trial. However, Friday’s decision by the appeals court has overturned her conviction, citing violations of legal procedures regarding the search of her cell phone.
Improper Use of Cell Phone Evidence
The court’s ruling was based on the improper use of evidence found during a search of Conley’s cell phone. Investigators had used a warrant to search her phone but went beyond what the warrant allowed, discovering references to “poison” and “colchicine” — the drug authorities believe Conley used to poison Yoder. The court emphasized that indiscriminate searches of a person’s phone, which now contains extensive private information, cannot be permitted without strict adherence to legal procedures.
Conley Maintains Her Innocence
Conley has consistently maintained her innocence. In an ABC News Studios documentary titled “Little Miss Innocent,” which aired on Hulu last fall, she reiterated her claim, stating, “I did not kill Mary Yoder.” She expressed disappointment in the legal system, saying, “I put all my faith and all my trust in the system and these people, and it didn’t work.”
Next Steps for Conley’s Case
Following the court’s ruling, Conley will be returned to Oneida County, where prosecutors will decide whether they plan to pursue the case further. Her legal team, led by lawyer Melissa Swartz, expressed hope that Conley could finally clear her name. A request for comment has been sent to the Oneida County district attorney’s office.
