New York man sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for fatally shooting 20-year-old woman after driving into wrong driveway

CNN
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A judge on Friday strongly reprimanded a 66-year-old man and sentenced him to life in prison for fatally shooting a woman who was a passenger in a car that accidentally drove into his driveway in rural New York last year.

“I think there's a real possibility that he could do this again,” Washington County Judge Adam Michelini told Kevin Monahan before sentencing him for second-degree murder. “It's obvious that you feel justified. You don't take any responsibility for the consequences of your actions. You don't understand that.”

The judge also imposed concurrent penalties of up to seven years in prison for the reckless endangerment charge and up to four years in prison consecutively for the evidence tampering charge.

Monahan was found guilty last month in the April 2023 shooting at a vehicle that accidentally pulled into a driveway while the occupants were searching for a friend's house, killing passenger Kaylin Gillis, 20. received the verdict. Gillis died shortly after the shooting.

Prosecutors argued that the 66-year-old defendant acted recklessly. The defense argued that what happened was a terrible accident, and Monaghan explained his actions on the podium.

“The first thing I do on the witness stand when I get here is joke that the jury can finally see my face,” Michelini told the defendant.

“You foolishly took Kaylin Gillis' life and yet you have the courage to sit here and tell me how you're going to get your work done around the house and how you're going to race motocross in the future. You don’t deserve it. What makes you think you deserve something like that?”

The judge said that in killing Gillis, Monahan “took away a friend, you took away a girlfriend, you took away a daughter, a granddaughter, a brother.” You robbed her of her potential, many unrealized possibilities, to enrich the lives of others and contribute to our society. ”

Michelini added, “The regret you have is not for the harm you caused. The only regret you have is that you are finally facing the consequences of your actions.'' killed Kaylin Gillis. You fired into a car full of people, didn't care what happened, and lied about it repeatedly. You are given the maximum penalty allowed by our laws. I deserve to spend a period of time in prison, but I didn't make this decision for easy reasons. I make it because it's the right thing to do. I make it because it's the right thing to do. make.”

Prosecutors had asked for the maximum sentence. The defense asked for leniency, saying Monaghan was remorseful and had no criminal record at the time of the shooting.

After the sentencing, Washington County District Attorney Tony Jordan praised the testimony and calmness of the young men who were with Gillis the night he was killed.

“The juxtaposition between him and them on the witness stand is spectacular, considering what his selfish actions have put these children through,” Jordan told reporters. “You know, they sat there and shared a very personal experience of horror, and they did it with grace.”

Jordan said Friday's harsh rebuke from the court “shows that the vast majority of people who have been following this case think this is: an angry man with no regard for other people's lives.” This is the act of a very selfish man.” ”

Mr Jordan said of Mr Monaghan: “The judge was right on target: he was a significant risk to society and would do it again if released into society.”

Monaghan refused to address the court before the judge handed down his sentence. Monahan testified in court that he felt like he and his wife were under siege that day and just wanted to protect his wife, Spectrum News 1 reported.

Monahan told jurors that the couple woke up to three cars in their driveway, two SUVs and a motorcycle revving, according to police. He told his wife to hide in a closet, and he testified that he loaded a 20-gauge pump-action shotgun before going outside.

Monaghan testified that he recalled previous criminal activity in the area and fired a warning shot into the air. He testified that the vehicle began to slowly leave and was thrown off balance by some nails on the deck when the second fatal shot was fired, Spectrum News 1 reported.

During cross-examination, Ms Monaghan was unable to point out the nail in the photograph that caused her to lose balance. When asked how he felt about Gillis' death, he became emotional and told jurors his “soul is dead,” the station said.

Gillis was shot and killed days after a black Kansas City teenager who went to the wrong address to pick up his brother was shot twice by a white homeowner. Both incidents made national headlines.

In the New York shooting, after the shooting, Gillis' group drove away, looked for cell phone service and called 911.

They were found about eight miles from their home in the town of Salem. First responders began CPR, but Gillis was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office told reporters at the time that officers went to Monaghan's home in Hebron and found him uncooperative.

At the time, Gillis' family released a statement praising her as “a kind and beautiful soul who was a ray of light to those who were lucky enough to know her.”

“She was a big sister, a much-loved daughter, and a devoted friend and partner to her beloved boyfriend. She was just beginning to find her way in this world with kindness, humor, and love. “He did,” his family said. “Kaelynn was a talented artist, an honor roll student, a huge Disney fan, and loved animals. She is looking forward to attending college in Florida to pursue her dream of becoming a marine biologist.” I did.”

Gillis is a 2021 graduate of Schuylerville High School where she held the “flyer” position on the cheerleading team.

This story has been updated with additional information.