Kevin Monahan: 'Hot-tempered' homeowner found guilty of shooting dead Kaylin Gillis in his driveway

FORT EDWARD, NEW YORK: Kevin Monahan, 66, was found guilty on Tuesday, January 23 of the murder of 20-year-old Kaylin Gillis, who was fatally shot after the car she was riding in mistakenly entered his backcountry driveway in April 2023.

The tragic events transpired when the upstate New York resident, claiming his home faced an "invasion," fired a 12-gauge shotgun at two cars and a motorbike carrying Gillis, her boyfriend, and friends.

Despite Monahan's assertion of an accidental shot, prosecutors argued that the group was turning around when he opened fire from his deck.

Prosecutors allege Kevin Monahan's actions were driven by anger and not fear

Monahan gained a local reputation for having a "hot-tempered" demeanor, especially when it came to trespassers on his property. Situated at the end of a lengthy, winding driveway, his home had only a small 'private drive' sign at its entrance.

Prosecutor Christian P Morris emphasized that Monahan's actions were rooted in anger, not fear, stating, "He acted out of a baser emotion than that: He acted out of anger."

Morris detailed how Monahan flew into a rage because the vehicles were "interrupting his night," leading him to grab his shotgun to make them leave quickly.

"He didn’t care if they were hurt or killed," he added. The verdict, which included charges of second-degree murder, reckless endangerment, and tampering with evidence, came after less than two hours of jury deliberation.

Kevin Monahan allegedly cleaned his gun post-shooting

Monahan attempted to justify the shooting, claiming it was a warning shot to let the "intruders" know that he had a working gun, but the jury was unconvinced.

His testimony, including a narrative of tripping over nails on his deck, leading to the accidental shot, failed to sway their decision. "I didn´t mean to shoot the second shot," Monahan testified. "The gun went off."

The guilty verdicts on all counts, along with an additional charge for tampering with evidence, were partially attributed to Monahan's cleaning of the shotgun post-shooting.

Grief-stricken father of Kaylin Gillis hopes Kevin Monahan dies in jail

During cross-examination, Monahan admitted to feigning confusion on the night of the shooting when questioned by authorities.

He claimed he thought he and his wife were being attacked by what he perceived as "a group of marauders" accidentally turning into his driveway, as per Daily Mail.

"When you´re by yourself, you have to figure out the worst-case scenario," Monahan said, "My only job is to protect my wife."

Monahan called 911 later that night when police showed up outside his house.

Nevertheless, the grief-stricken father of Gillis expressed his hope for justice, stating, 'I hope he dies in jail,' and thanked the judge saying, "Kaylin deserves justice."