An upstate New York woman, Ariela Thran, has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for the brutal murder of her mother, Patricia “Allison” Halverson, in December 2023.
Thran, 33, from Fulton, tried to convince authorities that her mother’s death was caused by one of the family’s horses. This bizarre claim, which included expert testimony suggesting that horses could intentionally harm humans, was ultimately dismissed by the court.
The Crime and Thran’s Story
The murder took place at Halverson’s home in Solon, New York. Halverson’s body was discovered exposed to the elements near farming equipment, which led Thran to create a story about horses being the cause of her mother’s death.
She argued that the horses, which had access to the area where Halverson’s body was found, could have been responsible for the fatal injuries.
Thran’s defense included testimony from an equestrian expert, Adam V. D’Agostino, director of the equestrian program at Alfred University. D’Agostino claimed that horses, especially stallions, could behave aggressively and cause fatal injuries.
He said the animals could kick, stomp, or trample a person, and that the lack of proper fencing on the property could allow the horses to roam free and potentially harm Halverson.
However, this theory was quickly challenged by the prosecution, which presented medical evidence showing that Halverson’s injuries were not consistent with those caused by a horse. The pathologist testified that the cuts and bruises found on Halverson’s head were more likely caused by a human attack rather than an animal.
Digital Evidence and Thran’s Conviction
While there was no murder weapon found at the scene, the prosecution used digital evidence to tie Thran to the crime. According to the Cortland County District Attorney, the timing and nature of the digital evidence played a crucial role in proving Thran’s involvement in her mother’s death.
Lead prosecutor Richard Van Donsel described the case as “tragic,” highlighting the breakdown of the family. Despite the lack of a direct murder weapon, all signs pointed to Thran, who was ultimately convicted of second-degree murder.
The Sentence and Aftermath
Thran was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for her mother’s murder. Cortland County District Attorney Patrick Perfetti commented on the difficulty of the case, stating that while much of the evidence was circumstantial, it was enough to secure a conviction.
He also noted the role digital evidence played in bringing the case to a close.
The case has been described as a particularly sad one, as it involved a daughter who attempted to frame an animal to cover up her own crime. The tragic death of Patricia Halverson and the false accusations made by her daughter have left a lasting impact on the family and the community.
The conviction of Ariela Thran serves as a reminder of the lengths to which some people will go to avoid taking responsibility for their actions. In this case, the attempt to frame a horse for a murder only added to the tragedy of a family’s loss.
The combination of digital evidence and expert testimony ultimately revealed the truth and ensured that justice was served.
