HEBRON, N.Y. – A New York man has been found guilty of second-degree murder, reckless endangerment and tampering in a driveway shooting trial that resulted in the death of a young woman. Kevin Monahan, 66, was convicted after a car carrying 20-year-old Kaylin Gillis pulled into his driveway in Hebron, New York, mistakenly looking for a party at a different house in an area without cell service.
The Washington County District Attorney, J. Anthony Jordan, stated that the goal of the trial was to seek justice for Kaylin and that the verdict would provide a sense of relief and closure for her family and friends. Monahan, who is set to be sentenced on March 1, could face life in prison, with the prosecution pushing for the maximum penalty.
During the trial, Monahan claimed the shooting was an accident, but testimony from witnesses painted a different picture, highlighting the fear and confusion of getting lost in a rural area with poor cell service. The incident sparked shock and questions about how a simple mistake led to deadly violence.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul condemned the shooting as “senseless” and emphasized that no one should be shot for showing up at the wrong house. The trial lasted around two weeks, and while the guilty verdict brings a sense of justice, it cannot erase the pain and loss felt by Kaylin’s family and friends.
The tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of the unpredictable and permanent consequences of gun violence, especially in small, tight-knit communities like Hebron, New York. As the trial concludes, the community must come to terms with the ripple effects of this senseless loss and work towards preventing similar tragedies in the future.