Everyone makes mistakes. That’s just the reality of life. And whether it’s forgetting a new coworker’s name or pulling into the wrong driveway, rarely does anyone deserve to die for making a simple mistake. Thankfully, a New York judge agreed, sentencing Kevin Monahan to 25 years to life for the 2023 shooting death of Kaylin Gillis, the Associated Press reports.
Almost a year ago, while looking for a party in Hebron, New York, Gillis’s friend pulled into the wrong driveway. Upon realizing their mistake, they began to turn around to leave the property when Monahan opened fire. He hit Gillis, who later died. She was 20 years old at the time. He was charged with and later convicted of second-degree murder. Despite the defense attorney asking for leniency, Judge Adam Michelini handed out the maximum possible sentence.
“I think it’s important that people know that it is not OK to shoot people and kill them who drive down your driveway,” Judge Michelini told Monahan before later adding, “You murdered Kaylin Gillis. You shot at a car full of people and you didn’t care what would happen and you repeatedly lied about it. You deserve to spend the maximum time in prison allowable under the law.” Judge Michelini also stated that one reason for handing out such a long sentence was that he needed to make sure Monahan wasn’t able to hurt anyone else.
In addition to facing 25 years to life for second-degree murder, Monahan, 66, was also convicted of tampering with physical evidence and reckless endangerment. The conviction for reckless endangerment will be served concurrently with the second-degree murder conviction, while his conviction for tampering physical evidence will be served consecutively, adding up to an additional four years to his sentence.
“Kaylin was a sweet and loving soul, something you can only wish to achieve,” Blake Walsh, Gillis’s boyfriend at the time and the driver of the car, told Monahan from the stand. “Kaylin was everything you wish you could be. I will never be able to forgive you for your actions. I wouldn’t even think about it.”
Monahan’s attorneys have said he plans to appeal the convictions.