By Michael Hill—
The Associated Press
Kevin Monahan, 66, was sentenced this Friday to at least 25 years in prison for the second-degree murder of Kaylin Gillis, 20, whom he killed in April 2023 by shooting at the woman's car when it turned around the driveway at his home in upstate New York.
Gillis was traveling in a group of two cars and a motorcycle that entered the Monahan
driveway
in Hebron while looking for someone else's house to attend a party in that rural area next to Vermont.
File photo of defendant Kevin Monahan, left, listening to opening statements in his murder trial on Jan. 11, 2024, at the Washington County Courthouse in Fort Edward, New York.
Will Waldron/AP
The Prosecutor's Office assured that Monahan shot out of irrational rage against the victims for entering his property.
The man claimed the gun went off by accident, claiming he believed his home was under "siege" by intruders.
The Prosecutor's Office asked the judge to impose the maximum sentence, 25 years to life in prison.
The defense asked for clemency.
Monahan declined the chance to speak.
“I think it's important for people to know that it's not okay to shoot people and have them killed for turning into your driveway,” said Judge Adam Michelini.
Aside from the broad deterrent effect, Michelini added that it is important that Monahan remain behind bars rather than be free to harm more people.
Gillis' death drew attention far beyond New York, coming just days after the shooting death of 16-year-old Ralph Yarl in Kansas City.
Yarl, who is black, was injured by an 84-year-old white man after he turned the wrong door when he was trying to pick up his younger siblings.