HEBRON, N.Y. – Jury selection for the trial of Kevin Monahan, who is accused of fatally shooting 20-year-old Kaylin Gillis in Schuylerville, continued on Tuesday under the supervision of Washington County Judge Adam D. Michelini. The process involved narrowing down an initial pool of approximately 200 county residents. Each juror was individually questioned about their responses to a provided questionnaire. The judge and lawyers met with each juror privately, resulting in the dismissal of multiple individuals. Those who remained will undergo further questioning before a final jury panel is selected.
Specific numbers regarding the jurors who were retained or dismissed were not available on Monday night. The questioning process began in the morning and continued after the Washington County Courthouse closed at 5 p.m. Additionally, procedural issues were addressed during the discussions between Judge Michelini and the attorneys. These issues pertained to the expected testimony in the trial.
The case involves Monahan, who has been charged with second-degree murder for allegedly shooting at the SUV in which Gillis was a passenger. The incident occurred after the vehicle accidentally turned into Monahan’s driveway. Monahan has pleaded not guilty in the case, which has gained national attention due to similar incidents occurring in different parts of the country around the same time as Gillis’ death.
Among the procedural matters discussed was the defense’s objection to using certain terms during testimony. The defense requested that the words “victim” and “perpetrator” not be used to refer to Gillis and Monahan respectively. First Assistant District Attorney Christian Morris assured the defense that his planned witnesses, including law enforcement officers, had been instructed to avoid these terms during their testimony.
Arthur Frost, Monahan’s defense attorney, accepted this assurance but stated that he would object if the terms were used inadvertently. Frost also expressed concerns about potential demonstrations of support for Gillis, requesting that items such as buttons and T-shirts related to the trial be banned from the courthouse premises.
Additionally, Frost urged the court to prevent the prosecution from presenting a video of a firearms expert examining the shotgun used in the shooting. Morris explained that the video was created to ensure the integrity of the evidence and would only be used if the expert’s testimony at trial contradicted the remarks made in the video.
Frost also requested that the term “murder weapon” not be used to describe the gun, emphasizing that the jury had yet to determine whether a murder had occurred. The defense attorney further asked for testimonies to focus on facts rather than praising Gillis’ character.
Finally, Frost voiced concerns about two police officers, Logan Gillis and Thompson Gillis, who had assisted in transporting Monahan. Morris clarified that these officers were not related to Kaylin Gillis in any way.
In response to Frost’s concerns, Morris presented a “supplemental certificate of compliance” stating that all materials available to the defense under state discovery laws had been provided. Michelini confirmed that further arguments on pending motions would be heard before the start of testimony.
As jury selection continues, the trial will determine whether Monahan is guilty of second-degree murder or any lesser included offenses such as manslaughter or criminally negligent homicide.
In conclusion, jury selection for the trial of Kevin Monahan, charged with the fatal shooting of Kaylin Gillis, is ongoing in Hebron, New York. The judge and attorneys met with each juror individually to determine their suitability for the trial. Procedural issues related to the expected testimony were resolved, including objections to certain terms and potential demonstrations of support. The trial will determine Monahan’s guilt or innocence in the shooting.