Salem, Washington County – Jury selection commenced on Friday for the trial of Kevin Monahan, who is facing the top charge of second-degree murder for the death of 20-year-old Kaylin Gillis. The selection process will span multiple days until a jury is fully chosen, with the trial scheduled to begin shortly thereafter. As a result of the unusually large pool of potential jurors, the proceedings are closed to the public and the media.
The incident occurred on April 15, 2023, when Monahan allegedly fired a 20-gauge shotgun at an SUV that had mistakenly entered his driveway. Tragically, the shot struck and killed Gillis, who was in the vehicle with her friends. Due to spotty cell phone service in the area, the group had to drive six miles to a nearby town to call 911. Unfortunately, Gillis was pronounced dead at the scene.
In addition to the second-degree murder charge, Monahan is also facing two lesser charges of reckless endangerment and tampering with evidence. These accusations have garnered significant attention, both nationally and internationally, as part of a series of shootings involving young people in the United States last April.
The case of 16-year-old Ralph Yarl in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 13, marks one of the tragedies within this broader trend. Yarl was shot while mistakenly approaching the wrong home to pick up his siblings. Further incidents include the shooting of cheerleaders Heather Roth and Payton Washington on April 17, who mistook someone else’s car for their own, and the shooting of six-year-old Kinsley White on April 18, who, along with two others, was shot after chasing a basketball that rolled into a neighbor’s yard.
As jury selection progresses, the father of the late Kaylin Gillis, Andrew Gillis, expressed his readiness for the trial on social media. The trial itself will shed light on the events surrounding Gillis’s untimely death and provide an opportunity for justice to be served.
In summary, Kevin Monahan is currently undergoing jury selection for the murder of Kaylin Gillis, a case that has received significant national and international attention. The incidents surrounding Gillis’s death are part of a broader series of shootings involving young people in April 2023. Monahan also faces charges of reckless endangerment and tampering with evidence.