A 66-year-old man, Kevin Monahan, has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for fatally shooting a 20-year-old woman, Kaylin Gillis, in upstate New York. Gillis was a passenger in an SUV that mistakenly entered Monahan’s rural driveway in the town of Hebron while searching for a party at another location. Monahan was found guilty of second-degree murder for the incident that occurred last April.
During the sentencing, Judge Adam Michelini emphasized the importance of condemning such actions, stating that it’s unacceptable to resort to violence when someone simply enters a driveway in error. Michelini highlighted the necessity of Monahan’s imprisonment to prevent further harm to others and handed down additional years for tampering with the murder weapon. He also reprimanded Monahan for his lack of remorse.
Addressing Monahan directly, the judge expressed the severity of his actions, stating that he deserves the maximum punishment allowed by law. Despite pleas for leniency from the defense and an opportunity for Monahan to speak, he remained silent as he was led away, receiving criticism from onlookers.
Gillis’ tragic death garnered widespread attention, particularly as it occurred shortly after another incident involving the shooting of a Black teenager in Kansas City. Monahan claimed the fatal shot was accidental and blamed a defective shotgun, alleging he believed his property was under threat from intruders. Prosecutors argued that his actions stemmed from irrational anger towards trespassers.
Following a brief deliberation, a jury found Monahan guilty of murder, reckless endangerment, and tampering with evidence. Gillis’ father, Andrew Gillis, spoke of his daughter’s aspirations and the profound loss the family continues to endure. Her boyfriend, Blake Walsh, expressed his inability to forgive Monahan for his actions, emphasizing the lasting impact of Gillis’ absence.
