The man charged with murder in the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Kaylin Gillis after the car she was in accidentally drove up his upstate New York driveway initially tried to blame the shooting on hunters, according to court filings.
Kevin Monahan, 65, insisted to state police and Washington County sheriff’s deputies that he had “in bed since 8:30 p.m.” — well before the April 15 slaying happened — and that “there are hunters shooting up here all the time,” the Albany Times Union reported, citing county court records.
Monahan made the remarks as authorities tried coaxing him out of his home following the shooting, according to the filings.
Instead, he told police to “leave me alone,” and to “get out of my yard so I can go back to bed.”
The documents surfaced after Monahan was arraigned Wednesday on charges of second-degree murder, reckless endangerment and tampering with evidence.
Monahan allegedly fired twice from a 12-gauge shotgun at an SUV that Gillis, of Schuylerville, and three of her friends were traveling in.
They were trying to turn around and leave the driveway of the senior’s Hebron property around 10 p.m. after accidentally making a wrong turn.
One bullet hit Gillis, and she could not be saved by medics once they were able to get to her in the remote area.
Monahan was uncooperative and refused to leave his home when deputies showed up in the wake of the shooting, according to Washington County Sheriff Jeffrey Murphy.
Murphy previously said Monahan showed “no remorse” about the deadly incident.
Monahan also allegedly told police he didn’t want to talk to them because “I wasn’t going to walk down there in the dark, I mean you guys are cops, but you know, who knows these days.”
He also allegedly told them “It’s been really quiet right here,” according to court filings.
Monahan remains in Warren County jail, and judges have declined to set bail.
Kurt Mausert, Monahan’s attorney, said the idea his client was uncooperative is “complete hooey,” the Times Union reported.
“He exercised his right to call counsel,” Mausert said. “The police knew if he stepped off his porch that they could arrest him without a warrant.”
Mausert also said he has thousands of pages of evidence to look at and would not be ready for trial by Sept. 7, the date set by County Judge Adam Michelini.
Monahan is scheduled to return to court on July 28.
