Columbia County, New York – A man from New York has been found guilty of second-degree murder in the shooting of a young woman after she and her friends mistakenly pulled into his driveway last year. Kevin Monahan, 66, was convicted of fatally shooting 20-year-old Kaylin Gillis after a jury deliberated for less than an hour.
Gillis and her friends had been searching for a house party on the night she was shot, but they accidentally pulled into Monahan’s rural driveway. When they realized their mistake and started to leave, Monahan fired two shots from his gun, with Gillis being struck by the second shot. The prosecution argued that Monahan’s actions were driven by irrational rage, stating that he didn’t care if they were hurt or killed.
On the other hand, Monahan and his attorney argued that the shooting was accidental and that the gun was defective. Monahan claimed that he believed his house was “under siege” by intruders, and he fired a warning shot in an attempt to drive the group away. He testified that the second shot was a result of him tripping over nails on the porch, losing his balance, and the shotgun hitting the deck.
Donald Boyajian, an attorney for the Gillis family, expressed that while it is a just result, it is a very sad time for the family. He also conveyed the family’s gratitude for the trial verdict. The 66-year-old’s conviction serves as a form of justice for the loss of a young life in a tragic and senseless incident.
The guilty verdict brings some closure to the family, but it doesn’t change the fact that they will forever mourn the loss of their beautiful daughter. It is a reminder of the devastating consequences of impulsive and reckless actions. Through this verdict, there is a glimmer of hope for accountability and justice in the face of such a heartbreaking tragedy.