Washington County District Attorney Tony Jordan is interviewed following a guilty verdict in Kevin Monahan's murder trial, Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, at the Washington County Courthouse in Fort Edward, N
In a tragic case that unfolded in upstate New York, Kevin Monahan, 66, was found guilty of second-degree murder for shooting and killing 20-year-old Kaylin Gillis. The incident occurred last April when Gillis and her friends mistakenly entered Monahan's rural driveway in Fort Edward, near the Vermont border. The jury deliberated for less than an hour before reaching a verdict, also convicting Monahan of reckless endangerment and tampering with physical evidence.
The outcome of the trial was bittersweet for the Gillis family, who expressed their gratitude for the justice served while acknowledging the profound sadness they continue to feel over the loss of their beloved daughter. Donald Boyajian, the attorney and spokesperson for the family, emphasized that the verdict does not alleviate the pain and void caused by the tragic event.
Monahan now faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life for the murder charge. The sentencing is scheduled for March 1, and prosecutors have indicated their intention to seek the maximum penalty. Washington County District Attorney J. Anthony Jordan affirmed that they would pursue a sentence commensurate with the gravity of the crime committed.
Andrew B. Gillis, father of slain daughter, Kaylin Gillis, is consoled in the courtroom as verdicts are read in Kevin Monahan's murder trial, Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, at the Washington County Courthouse in Fort Edward, N.Y. Monahan, 66, was convicted of second-degree murder Tuesday for fatally shooting a young woman when the SUV she was riding in mistakenly drove into his rural driveway in upstate New York. (Will Waldron/The Albany Times Union via AP, Pool)Washington County District Attorney Tony Jordan is interviewed following a guilty verdict in Kevin Monahan's murder trial, Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, at the Washington County Courthouse in Fort Edward, N.Y. Monahan, 66, was convicted of second-degree murder Tuesday for fatally shooting a young woman when the SUV she was riding in mistakenly drove into his rural driveway in upstate New York. (Will Waldron/The Albany Times Union via AP)Defendant Kevin Monahan listens listens as guilty verdicts are read by County Judge Adam Michelini during his trial, Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, at the Washington County Courthouse in Fort Edward, N.Y. Monahan, 66, was convicted of second-degree murder Tuesday for fatally shooting a young woman when the SUV she was riding in mistakenly drove into his rural driveway in upstate New York. (Will Waldron/The Albany Times Union via AP, Pool)Washington County First Assistant District Attorney Christian P. Morris delivers closing statements in Kevin Monahan's murder trial on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, at Washington County Courthouse in Fort Edward, N.Y. Monahan, 66, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Kaylin Gillis, who was riding in a caravan of two cars and a motorcycle that pulled into his dark, winding driveway in rural Hebron, about 40 miles (65 kilometers) north of Albany, near the Vermont border. (Will Waldron/The Albany Times Union via AP, Pool)Washington County Judge Adam Michelini presides over summations in Kevin Monahan's murder trial, Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, at the Washington County Courthouse in Fort Edward, N.Y. Monahan, 66, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Kaylin Gillis, who was riding in a caravan of two cars and a motorcycle that pulled into his dark, winding driveway in rural Hebron, about 40 miles (65 kilometers) north of Albany, near the Vermont border. (Will Waldron/The Albany Times Union via AP, Pool)A NYS Court Police officer to holds Kevin Monahan's shotgun during summations in Monahan's murder trial, Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, at the Washington County Courthouse in Fort Edward, N.Y. Monahan, 66, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Kaylin Gillis, who was riding in a caravan of two cars and a motorcycle that pulled into his dark, winding driveway in rural Hebron, about 40 miles (65 kilometers) north of Albany, near the Vermont border. (Will Waldron/The Albany Times Union via AP, Pool)Defense attorney Arthur Frost, left, delivers closing arguments in Kevin Monahan's murder trial, Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, at the Washington County Courthouse in Fort Edward, N.Y. Monahan, 66, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Kaylin Gillis, who was riding in a caravan of two cars and a motorcycle that pulled into his dark, winding driveway in rural Hebron, about 40 miles (65 kilometers) north of Albany, near the Vermont border. (Will Waldron/The Albany Times Union via AP, Pool)Defense attorney Arthur Frost, left, delivers closing arguments in Kevin Monahan murder trial, Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, at the Washington County Courthouse in Fort Edward, N.Y. Monahan, 66, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Kaylin Gillis, who was riding in a caravan of two cars and a motorcycle that pulled into his dark, winding driveway in rural Hebron, about 40 miles (65 kilometers) north of Albany, near the Vermont border. (Will Waldron/The Albany Times Union via AP, Pool)A police evidence photo showing the entry point of the shot that fatally struck Kaylin Gillis last April after she and friends accidentally pulled into Kevin Monahan's driveway, is displayed during summations in Monahan's murder trial, Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, at Washington County Courthouse in Fort Edward, N.Y. Monahan, 66, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Kaylin Gillis, who was riding in a caravan of two cars and a motorcycle that pulled into his dark, winding driveway in rural Hebron, about 40 miles (65 kilometers) north of Albany, near the Vermont border. (Will Waldron/The Albany Times Union via AP, Pool)Washington County First Assistant District Attorney Christian P. Morris, left, directs a NYS Court Police officer to hold Kevin Monahan's shotgun during summations in Monahan's murder trial before County Judge Adam Michelini, right, Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, at Washington County Courthouse in Fort Edward, N.Y. Monahan, 66, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Kaylin Gillis, who was riding in a caravan of two cars and a motorcycle that pulled into his dark, winding driveway in rural Hebron, about 40 miles (65 kilometers) north of Albany, near the Vermont border. (Will Waldron/The Albany Times Union via AP, Pool)
This case bears a resemblance to another incident that occurred just days before Gillis' death. In Kansas City, 16-year-old Ralph Yarl, who is Black, was wounded by an 84-year-old white man after approaching the wrong door while attempting to pick up his younger brothers. These incidents shed light on the dangers and tragic consequences that can arise from misunderstandings and mistaken entries.
On the night of the incident, Gillis and her friends were traveling in a group consisting of two cars and a motorcycle, in search of another person's house party. They mistakenly turned into Monahan's driveway, located in the rural town of Hebron, approximately 40 miles north of Albany. Realizing their error, they began to leave. However, Monahan emerged onto the porch and fired two shots from his shotgun. The second shot struck Gillis in the neck as she sat in the front passenger seat of her boyfriend's SUV.
During the closing arguments, the prosecution posited that Monahan's actions were driven by irrational anger towards trespassers. It was suggested that he intended to scare the group away and was indifferent to the potential harm or even death that could befall them. Assistant District Attorney Christian Morris emphasized the quick succession of events, with Monahan firing at the group within 90 seconds of their arrival on his property.
In his defense, Monahan and his attorney maintained that the shooting was an accident resulting from a defective gun. Monahan himself testified, claiming that he believed his house was under siege by intruders when he saw the vehicles approaching. He fired a warning shot to deter them, but due to tripping over nails on the porch, his gun accidentally struck the deck, causing it to discharge and hit Gillis' vehicle.
Prosecutors presented additional evidence during the trial, revealing that Monahan had initially claimed to have been sound asleep when the police arrived at his residence later that night. The prosecution aimed to demonstrate inconsistencies in Monahan's account of events.
Kaylin Gillis' father, Andrew Gillis, described his daughter as an animal lover with dreams of pursuing a career in marine biology or veterinary medicine. The loss of such a vibrant and promising young life has undoubtedly left an indelible void in their family and community.
The outcome of this trial provides a measure of justice for Kaylin Gillis and her grieving family while serving as a stark reminder of the tragic consequences that can result from hasty actions and misunderstandings. The sentencing hearing in March will determine the fate of Kevin Monahan, who now faces the potential of spending the rest of his life behind bars.
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