Sad case in Washington County, NY

[adwjc]

What not to do.

This story has been in the local headlines since day one.

Homeowner is a rural area, has a long driveway, that apparently gets a lot of mistaken turns. This time a group of young people on the way to a party, turned in, drove part way up and realized they were in the wrong place. They were in two vehicles and a motorcycle, no one got out, they just turned to go and the homeowner fired from the deck in front of his house.

Fired two shots from his 12 gauge shotgun, loaded with slugs. One hit the victim, a passenger in one of the vehicles, an SUV, entering through the left of the tailgate window and struck the front seat passenger in the neck.

Jury delivers verdict in trial of Kevin Monahan

 

[S-W4EVER]

It's pretty stupid to shoot another person when you don't have to.

 

[GypsmJim]

It's also a sad story when a hunter shoots into the bushes when he heard a sound, only to find out it wasn't a deer, but his buddy George.

In any event, I truly feel sorry for the shooter as well. It's the society we live in. Nobody feels safe any more. Crime is everywhere.

 

[lihpster]

I don't feel bad for the shooter at all. This is a man that decided he was going to protect the sovereignty of his driveway with lethal force. He wasn't in danger and nobody else was until he fired a 12 GA slug at a retreating vehicle. He deserves to go to jail.

 

[adwjc]

I don't feel bad for the shooter at all. This is a man that decided he was going to protect the sovereignty of his driveway with lethal force. He wasn't in danger and nobody else was until he fired a 12 GA slug at a retreating vehicle. He deserves to go to jail.

And he will, he's looking at 25 + years.

 

[John Patrick]

2nd degree murder seems to be an over charge. 3rd degree manslaughter seems more appropriate. But I don't know NY law.

 

[Rustyt1953]

From his defense lawyer: "The gun will fire if you don't pull the trigger".

His argument was that Monahan didn't kill the victim but the gun did.

No sympathy here.

 

[JohnHL]

It's a horrible tragedy.

But it's eerily familiar with a scenario described by a very influential and powerful man.

He advised, "We live in an area that's wooded and secluded. If there's ever a problem, just walk out on the balcony here...put that double barreled shotgun and fire two blasts."

That is terrible advice and the home owner was foolish to follow it.

But he got it from a very high placed "authority".

John

 

[Frailer]

It's also a sad story when a hunter shoots into the bushes when he heard a sound, only to find out it wasn't a deer, but his buddy George.

In any event, I truly feel sorry for the shooter as well. It's the society we live in. Nobody feels safe any more. Crime is everywhere.

Respectfully, "not feeling safe" is the too-often-cited excuse of both the pro-gun and anti-gun crowds. The vast majority of these fears are largely baseless.

Any time we go for a drive the odds that someone will pass within 10 feet of us at a combined speed of over 100 MPH while texting his girlfriend or watching a TikTok video are very high…yet we don't feel threatened when we get behind the wheel.

Fear is, for the most part, a matter of choice.

 

[John Patrick]

Respectfully, "not feeling safe" is the too-often-cited excuse of both the pro-gun and anti-gun crowds. The vast majority of these fears are largely baseless.

Any time we go for a drive the odds that someone will pass within 10 feet of us at a combined speed of over 100 MPH while texting his girlfriend or watching a TikTok video are very high…yet we don't feel threatened when we get behind the wheel.

Fear is, for the most part, a matter of choice.

Nothing like a ton or two of steel between you and the other vehicle, and being able to drive to safety.

No comparison between anyone in a vehicle and feeling threatened in their home.

Not that I think the shooter is justified. Based on the facts presented, I think 3rd degree homicide is warranted.

 

[Rustyt1953]

According to USA Today Monahan said the second, fatal shot was unintentional.

He said he tripped over nails sticking up from the deck, lost his balance and the shotgun struck the deck. That, he said, accidentally caused his gun to fire at the Ford Explorer carrying Gillis.

"I didn't mean to shoot the second shot," Monahan testified last week. "The gun went off."

Monahan is 66 years old. Because of his irrational fear it is likely he will die behind bars.

 

[AJ]

Do not feel sorry for the shooter. Had no business shooting at a vehicle, especially when the occupants had done nothing to warrant the use of deadly force. Probably should not have owned a gun to begin with. I feel bad for the young lady that was killed. Also feel bad for all the law abiding gun owners that the shooter has given fuel for the fire against us to the folks that want to take our firearms and the media that feeds on this sort of thing.

 

[Well Armed]

He pulled a a shot gun and fired at the young adults with the intent to kill. Then he lied about it. Not sure on what alternative universe that would be a manslaughter or 3rd degree murder charge. That's a stretch. The jury got it right, and the criminal got what he deserved. Going down a driveway is NOT an excuse to intentionally murder someone.

 

[Bald1]

I did not pull the trigger……. Where have we heard that before. Seems to be a common defense/excuse.

 

[Well Armed]

I did not pull the trigger……. Where have we heard that before. Seems to be a common defense/excuse.

He grabbed the shotgun, went outside, aimed it pretty accurately at the young men and women, and then the shotgun magically fired twice by itself. Then when law enforcement first asked him what happened, he pretend to not have a clue about what they were referring to. The latter was on body camera for the jury to see. Seems that he believes everyone else are complete idiots.

 

[Malysh]

I think the conviction was correct. This is just the type of gun owner nobody needs. Meanwhile, a young lady lost her life for no good reason.

 

[Marshal Tom]

Ah, the Eric Baldwin defense! Tragic!

 

[Malysh]

Ah, the Eric Baldwin defense! Tragic!

I think you meant Alec Baldwin

 

[Marshal Tom]

Yes I did mean Alec. Brain not in gear.

 

[Malysh]

Yes I did mean Alec. Brain not in gear.

Yeah, I know how that is.