Donald McQuade, a 67-year-old man from Oregon, was sentenced to 50 years in prison for the 1978 killing of 16-year-old Shelley Connolly in Alaska. Despite his conviction, McQuade maintains his innocence in the case. Connolly’s body was found near a highway pullout between Anchorage and Girdwood, leading to McQuade’s arrest and subsequent trial in December. McQuade intends to appeal his conviction, claiming that he did not kill Connolly.
Investigators were able to develop a DNA profile from swabs collected from Connolly’s body years after her death. In 2019, genetic genealogy testing was utilized to compare the DNA profile to known profiles in genealogical databases, which eventually led to McQuade being identified as a match. Police in Oregon obtained McQuade’s DNA by collecting discarded cigarette butts in public. Prosecutors noted that there was no known prior connection between McQuade and Connolly before her death.
The sentencing provided some closure for friends and family of Connolly, although her mother passed away before seeing a resolution in the case. Superior Court Judge Andrew Peterson acknowledged that the 50-year sentence would likely be a life sentence for McQuade. McQuade’s attorney, Benjamin Dresner, mentioned that his client is in remission from advanced liver cancer and requested that he receive the minimum sentence of 20 years in prison. Despite the circumstances, McQuade remains steadfast in his assertion of innocence.
The case highlights the role of DNA evidence and genetic genealogy testing in solving cold cases. By utilizing advanced technology and comparing DNA profiles, investigators were able to make a breakthrough in the decades-old murder of Shelley Connolly. The conviction and sentencing of Donald McQuade serve as a reminder of the persistence of law enforcement agencies in seeking justice for victims of violent crimes, even years after their deaths.
McQuade’s continued denial of involvement in Connolly’s murder raises questions about the reliability of DNA evidence and the potential for wrongful convictions. The appeal process will likely shed further light on the details of the case and the validity of the DNA testing that led to McQuade’s conviction. The 50-year sentence handed down by the court reflects the seriousness of the crime and the impact it had on the victim’s loved ones, who have been waiting for justice for over four decades.