‘The Short-tempered’ homeowner faces murder charges in Kaylin Gillis’s death
Kevin Monahan, the “hot-tempered” New York homeowner accused of killing 20-year-old Kaylin Gillis when the car she was in accidentally pulled into his driveway, was charged with murder on Friday.
Authorities said Gillis was driving through the city of Hebron with two other friends in her boyfriend’s SUV just before 10 p.m. when the group made a wrong turn onto Monahan’s property.
They were attempting to overturn the car when Monahan came out on his porch and fired two shots from a 12-caliber shotgun, according to Washington County Sheriff Jeffrey Murphy, who claimed Monahan showed no remorse.
Monahan, 65, was charged Friday with second-degree murder, reckless endangerment and tampering with evidence. He therefore pleaded not guilty CNN.
His next court date is July 28, and the actual trial is scheduled to begin in September.
Kevin Monahan, the “hot-tempered” New York homeowner accused of killing 20-year-old Kaylin Gillis when the car she was in accidentally pulled into his driveway, was charged with murder on Friday
In early May, his attorney, Kurt Mausert, claimed in court that Warren County Judge Adam Michelini considered only the damage caused and Monahan’s history of gun use, but noted that Monahan was never charged with gun-related crimes before April 15 had been charged WNYT.
Michelini had said he chose to hold Monahan without bail for second-degree murder, arguing that he was known in the community to be impulsive and that media scrutiny gave him cause to flee.
When officers arrived at Monahan’s home to investigate the shooting, he refused to come outside, Murphy said. According to the sheriff, authorities spoke to him through 911 and in person for about an hour before taking him into custody.
Kevin Monahan, 65, has been charged with second-degree murder and remains incarcerated at the Warren County Jail, officials said
Murphy noted in an interview with CNN that Monahan had already arranged legal counsel before leaving his home and handing himself over to the police.
Additional fees may apply to Monahan.
speaking in an interview with NBC News Gillis’ boyfriend, Blake Walsh, 19, revealed he was the one driving on the fateful night.
“We thought we were in the right place.” We didn’t have cell service to find out. “As soon as we realized we were in the wrong place, we hit the road, and that’s when it all happened,” Walsh said.
He said one of his friends in the car alerted him to the shooting of Monahan, prompting him to suddenly turn the car around and drive away.
“I tried to step on the gas as quickly as possible and that’s when the fatal shot came through.”
After driving about eight kilometers, the group finally reached an area where there was mobile phone reception. They immediately called 911, but unfortunately it was too late.
“I want to believe it happened immediately.” I hope it did. “I pray it was,” Walsh said through tears.
He added that trying to get cell service felt like it only lasted 30 seconds, “the adrenaline was pumping so hard.”
Monahan’s estate is located on Patterson Hill Road in the city of Hebron near the Adirondack Mountains
According to police, Monahan came out of his home and fired two shots from a 12-caliber shotgun
Gillis and her friends were looking for a party when they chanced upon Monahan’s house
In an interview with CNNMausert said his client told him that several vehicles, including a motorcycle, drove into his driveway that night, revving their engines and behaving in a threatening manner.
He also told it News10 The incident was a series of tragic mistakes committed by more than one person.
“The situation where we have an elderly gentleman and his elderly wife living out in the dark woods of Washington County with three vehicles rushing into his driveway at high rated speed, lighting up their home and not exiting when he “The floodlights were so safe that Mr. Monahan was a little scared,” added Mausert.
Alcohol, drugs or mental illness were not believed to have played a role in the shooting, the Times-Herald reported.
The newspaper said there had been no recent reports of increased robberies or a reason for homeowners to be extra vigilant.
But City Administrator Brian Campbell told the Times-Herald that Monahan has previously attended local board meetings to discuss issues such as road repairs. Campbell described the suspect as “very reasonable”.
Gillis is pictured here with her longtime boyfriend Blake Walsh, 19. The two had hoped to marry one day
In an interview with NBC News, Walsh described how his life was devastated after Gillis’ death
Monahan leaves the courtroom after being denied bail for a second time on Thursday
After Monahan’s first bail hearing on April 19, Andrew Gillis – Kaylin’s father – said he hoped the accused shooter “die in prison”.
He thanked Judge Michelini for his decision to deny Monahan bail, saying, “Kaylin deserves justice.”
“I want to talk about Kaylin’s boyfriend,” Gillis continued. “He wanted to marry my daughter.” I would have liked that.’
Walsh met Kaylin when he was a sophomore at Schuylerville High School, where she will graduate in 2021.
He said the couple often joked that it was the “2 percent,” a nod to the 2 percent of high school sweethearts who end up getting married. They had been together for four years.
In his address to the press, Kaylin’s father said Walsh now blames himself for Kaylin’s death, but her father said, “It’s Kevin Monahan’s fault.”