FORT EDWARD, N.Y. (WCAX) – The judge has denied a request for a mistrial in the case of a North Country man accused of fatally shooting a woman who turned into his driveway by mistake.
Kevin Monahan, 66, is charged with second-degree murder, reckless endangerment and tampering with physical evidence.
Police say Monahan fatally shot Kaylin Gillis, 20, of Schuylerville, last April, when she and her friends got lost and drove to the wrong house in Hebron, New York, near the Vermont border. They realized they were at the wrong address and were turning around when investigators say Monahan fired two shots. One hit Gillis. She died of her injuries.
Tuesday, Monahan’s defense lawyer called for a mistrial because of something that occurred while body camera footage was being shared with the jury. As jurors watched video of the interaction between Monahan and police, Monahan said his lawyer’s name. The defense said they feared the jury would assume Monahan was guilty because he invoked his right to an attorney, and asked the judge for a mistrial. That request was denied.
A member of the jury was also dismissed after calling sick and an alternate took their place.
Eight men and four women will decide Monahan’s fate.
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