Kaitlyn Conley's future uncertain after overturned conviction

Kaitlyn Conley's future remains uncertain after her conviction for manslaughter in the poisoning death of Mary Yoder, her boss. Conley was initially tried for second-degree murder, but the jury could not reach a decision. In a later trial, she was acquitted of the murder charge but found guilty of the lesser manslaughter charge. Recently, a New York appellate court overturned this conviction, raising questions about the evidence obtained during the investigation. Mary Yoder, a chiropractor, died in July 2015 from colchicine toxicity, a drug often used to treat gout. The circumstances of her illness and death were puzzling for her family. Investigations revealed an anonymous tip claiming that Adam Yoder, Mary’s son, had poisoned her. However, Adam denied these allegations, and authorities ultimately identified Kaitlyn Conley as a suspect. Conley had acknowledged writing the letter that implicated Adam, claiming he confessed to her. Authorities discovered that her cellphone had searched for the term “poison” and identified her as having bought a prepaid card used in the purchase of the drug. In her trials, Conley's defense suggested other possible suspects, including Mary Yoder’s husband, but neither he nor Adam was charged. Conley's legal battles continued for years. In January 2025, a state appellate court overturned her conviction, citing issues with how evidence was obtained during the trials. The ruling pointed out that her defense lawyer had failed to properly challenge a search warrant that allowed police to access her cellphone, which played a critical role in the prosecution's case. After her release from prison, the Oneida County District Attorney's office is now considering whether to pursue a third trial against her. Conley's next steps in the legal process remain unclear.