Misunderstood Justice: NY Man Sentenced to 25 Years to Life for Fatal Shooting in Driveway

Kevin Monahan was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for shooting and killing a woman who was in a car that mistakenly drove up his driveway in rural New York last year. Washington County Judge Adam Michelini admonished Monahan before imposing his sentence for second-degree murder, expressing concern that Monahan may repeat a similar act in the future. The judge noted that Monahan appeared to feel justified and lacked accountability for his actions, showing a lack of understanding of the consequences.

Furthermore, Michelini handed down a prison term of 2 1/3 to seven years for reckless endangerment. He also added a consecutive sentence of 1 1/3 to four years for tampering with evidence.

Protestors march Sunday, April 16, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo., to bring attention to the shooting of Ralph Yarl, 16, who was shot when he went to the wrong Kansas City house to pick up his brothers.

Protestors took to the streets in Kansas City, Mo., on Sunday, April 16, 2023. They were marching to raise awareness about the shooting of 16-year-old Ralph Yarl. He was mistakenly shot at a house in Kansas City while trying to pick up his brothers.

The image of the protest was captured by Susan Pfannmuller/AP.

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Monahan was found guilty in the tragic incident that led to the death of 20-year-old Kaylin Gillis in April 2023. Gillis was a passenger in a vehicle that Monahan shot at when it mistakenly entered his driveway while searching for a friend's house. Sadly, Gillis passed away shortly after the shooting.

During the trial, prosecutors claimed that the 66-year-old defendant had acted in a reckless manner. However, the defense argued that it was a terrible accident and Monahan himself testified to explain his actions.

"You started off your testimony on the witness stand with a joke, making light of the situation," Michelini scolded the defendant. "You have the audacity to talk about your future plans like finishing up your house and racing motocross after senselessly ending Kaylin Gillis's life. You don't deserve to move on like nothing happened. What makes you think you deserve that?"

The judge pointed out that by killing Gillis, Monahan not only took away a friend, girlfriend, daughter, granddaughter, and sibling, but also robbed the world of her potential to make a positive impact and contribute to society.

Kevin Monahan was tried for fatally shooting 20-year-old Kaylin Gillis when she got lost and turned around in his driveway in 2023 in in Lake George, New York.

Kevin Monahan was tried for fatally shooting 20-year-old Kaylin Gillis when she got lost and turned around in his driveway in 2023 in in Lake George, New York.

Lori Van Buren/The Albany Times Union/AP

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Michelini expressed, “Your remorse is not for the harm you have caused. Your only regret is that you are now facing the consequences of your actions. You took the life of Kaylin Gillis. You fired at a car full of people without caring about the consequences, and you repeatedly lied about it. You deserve to serve the maximum time in prison allowed by law. This decision is not made lightly, but because it is what is fair and just.”

Monahan chose not to speak before the judge announced the sentence. During the trial, Monahan shared that he felt like both he and his wife were in danger that day, and his main priority was to protect his wife, as reported by Spectrum News 1.

According to the station, Monahan explained to the jury that they were woken up by the presence of three vehicles in their driveway: two SUVs and a motorcycle that was revving its engine. He recounted instructing his wife to hide in the closet while he prepared his 20-gauge pump-action shotgun before heading outside.

Monahan testified that he fired a warning shot into the air, thinking about past criminal activity in the area. According to Spectrum News 1, the vehicles started to leave slowly, and he mentioned losing his balance on some nails on his deck when the second fatal shot was fired.

During cross-examination, Monahan was unable to identify the nails that caused him to lose his balance in a photograph. The station reported that he became emotional when asked about his feelings regarding Gillis' death, expressing to the jury that his "soul is dead."

Kaylin Gillis

Kaylin Gillis

From GoFundMe

Gillis was fatally shot just days after a Black teenager in Kansas City was shot twice by a White homeowner after going to the wrong address to pick up his siblings.

After the shots were fired in the New York shooting, Gillis' group drove away from the house to find cell phone service. They then called 911.

They were located about 5 miles away from the home in the town of Salem. First responders arrived and started administering CPR, but unfortunately, Gillis was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police officers visited Monahan's residence in Hebron but he was uncooperative, according to the Washington County sheriff's statement to the press.

Gillis' family released a statement, describing her as a "kind, beautiful soul and a ray of light to anyone fortunate enough to have known her."

"She was a cherished big sister, beloved daughter, loyal friend, and devoted partner to her loving boyfriend. Kaylin was just starting to navigate through life with kindness, humor, and love," the family shared. "She was a talented artist, an exceptional student, a Disney enthusiast, and had a deep love for animals. Excited about her future, Kaylin was looking forward to attending college in Florida to pursue her dream of becoming a marine biologist."

After graduating from Schuylerville High School in 2021, Gillis was a key member of the cheerleading team, known for her impressive skills as a "flyer."

This story has been updated with additional information.

Editor's P/S:

The article highlights the tragic consequences of Kevin Monahan's reckless actions, which resulted in the senseless death of 20-year-old Kaylin Gillis. Monahan's lack of remorse and accountability for his actions is deeply disturbing, and the judge's decision to impose a lengthy prison sentence is a just reflection of the severity of his crime. The article also sheds light on the ongoing issue of mistaken driveway shootings, as evidenced by the recent protest in Kansas City over the shooting of Ralph Yarl. These incidents underscore the urgent need for greater public awareness and education regarding responsible gun ownership and the potential dangers of using deadly force in such situations.

It is heartbreaking to read about the loss of a young life with such promise, as Kaylin Gillis was a talented artist, an exceptional student, and a passionate marine biology enthusiast. Her family's words paint a vivid picture of a vibrant and loving individual who had so much to offer the world. The fact that her life was cut short due to a senseless act of violence is a tragedy that should serve as a wake-up call for all of us. We must work together to promote a culture of respect, responsibility, and non-violence in our communities, so that such senseless killings become a thing of the past.