Woman Sentenced to Prison for Framing Horse in Mother’s Murder

A woman from upstate New York is facing prison time after attempting to blame a horse for her mother’s murder, even enlisting an equestrian expert to testify that “horses, by nature can cause harm to human life, if they choose to, in their own way.”

Ariela Thran, 33, from Fulton, received a sentence last week of 25 years to life for the murder of her mother, Patricia “Allison” Halverson, in December 2023 at Halverson’s residence in Solon, as stated by the Cortland County District Attorney. Halverson’s body was located “near a piece of farming equipment, exposed to the elements,” which reinforced Thran’s assertions involving the horse in court—particularly since the police did not find a murder weapon, as the DA’s office reported.

Solon is located in the central part of the Empire State, around 150 miles west of Albany.

Thran’s story centered around the fact that there were no visible fence structures on the property that would prevent the horses from accessing the area where Halverson’s body was found, according to Adam V. D’Agostino, director of the equestrian program at Alfred University, who reportedly testified during Thran’s eight-day trial in March on the defense’s behalf.

“The horses could roam loose on the property,” D’Agostino said, according to the Cortland Standard newspaper. “I do not feel the consistent industry practices were used on the farm, particularly with the stallions,” he told the court.

D’Agostino claimed that while he didn’t “know” Halverson’s horses “on an individual basis” — and didn’t visit the farm — he believed the animals were capable of causing fatal injuries by kicking, stomping, or trampling Halverson.

“Those natural behaviors could produce very aggressive behavior,” D’Agostino testified, per the Cortland Standard.

A pathologist testifying for the prosecution said Halverson suffered 16 cuts on the left side and back of her head, a cut on the right side of her forehead, and a bruise on her left eyelid. The expert told the court her injuries were not consistent with one’s a horse would cause.

Thran was facing a minimum of 10 years to life in prison and a maximum of 25 years to life for second-degree murder before her sentencing, according to the DA’s office.

“This was a sad case,” said lead prosecutor Richard Van Donsel in a March statement. “The breakdown of a family like this is tragic.”

Cortland County District Attorney Patrick Perfetti said while it was “largely a circumstantial evidence case,” all signs pointed to Thran.

“This was a particularly challenging case, as no murder weapon was able to be recovered in the investigation,” Perfettie recounted in a statement after Thran’s conviction. “Significantly, some of the most compelling proof was digital evidence and its timing.”