Kevin Monahan sentenced to 25 years to life

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Kevin Monahan has been sentenced to 26 1/3 years to life for fatally shooting Kaylin Gillis in April 2023. A jury found Monahan guilty of second-degree murder, reckless endangerment in the first degree, and tampering with physical evidence on January 23.

Monahan was accused of shooting and killing Gillis in April 2023. Gillis was a passenger in a car that mistakenly drove up Monahan’s driveway in April 2023.

Monahan will get 25 years to life for the second-degree murder charge, 2 1/3 to 7 years for reckless endangerment, and 1 1/3 years to 4 years for tampering with physical evidence. The reckless endangerment conviction will run concurrently with the murder conviction, while the tampering conviction will run consecutively.

The courtroom was full of family and friends, some of them spoke in court including Gillis' father, Andrew Gillis.

Gillis said Kaylin was loved by everyone, a vibrant and compassionate young woman. Gillis addressed Monahan directly, called him deceitful, and said ”Instead of taking blame for your actions you tried to hide what really happened and shift the blame, that is what sealed your fate.” 

Blake Walsh, Gillis' boyfriend, and Alexandra Whiting, who both testified in this trial faced Monahan again and detailed their grief.

“The juxtaposition between him and them on the witness stand is spectacular," District Attorney Tony Jordan said. "They sat up there and shared a very personal experience of horror and yet did so with grace and through very difficult circumstances."

Assistant District Attorney Christian Morris asked for a maximum sentence and said the jury's conviction of Monahan was a condemnation of his lies and lack of remorse.

“How much of Kevin Monahan’s time is demanded to begin to set the injustices to just," Morris asked. "All of it. All of his time. Every year, every month, every week, day, and hour, all of his time is what justice here demands.” 

Monahan declined to speak in court. His defense attorney, Arthur Frost, asked for less than the maximum and said he sees remorse in his client.

“Because of his actions, under any way you view it because of his actions, this poor young woman is dead," Frost said.

Judge Adam Michelini said it was clear to him that Monahan would repeat his actions if he were released.

“It’s obvious to me that you feel justified you don’t take any responsibility for the outcome of your actions, you just don’t get it," Michelini said.