FORT EDWARD, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Testimony continued in the trial for Kevin Monahan. The Washington County man is charged with second-degree murder, reckless endangerment and tampering with physical evidence in the shooting death of Kaylin Gillis. Gillis was a passenger in a car that mistakenly turned around in Monahan’s driveway in April 2023.

The prosecution first called Jordan Caruso, a New York State Police forensic scientist who specializes in analyzing DNA. Caruso said she analyzed DNA swabs taken from parts of Monahan’s shotgun and the results were consistent with two donors, one of whom is male, but there was insufficient genetic information on all of the swabs to compare and identify a match.

Caruso testified DNA breaks down over time or it can be diminished by weather or if a surface tested has been cleaned.

Despite the lack of sufficient genetic information, Caruso compared the evidence samples to a control sample and testified the sample for the forearm of the gun matched with Kevin Monahan enough to deem him a major contributor.

Arthur Frost, Monahan’s defense attorney, questioned Caruso about the interpretation of the DNA comparison, including the lack of DNA in some parts of the sample. Caruso maintained she can still determine Monahan a major contributor based on her results. Frost also asked Caruso if she was given any information about whether or not bleach or peroxide, chemicals that could break down the DNA, was found on the gun. She said she was not aware and, to her knowledge, her lab would not be able to conduct those tests. Caruso said she could not say if anyone attempted to remove DNA from the gun.

During re-cross, Tony Jordan, Washington County District Attorney, had Caruso clarify that DNA could also be removed using a cloth.

The line of questioning reflects allegations Monahan is facing that he tampered with physical evidence. Several investigator have testified they were unable to find empty shot shells and wadding related to the shooting after conducting an extensive search in Monahan’s home and on his property. Forensic investigators also testified they were unable to find a full, sufficient fingerprint when they inspected Monahan’s shotgun.

After Caruso’s testimony, the prosecution called Blake Walsh to the stand. Walsh was Gillis’ boyfriend and the driver of the Ford Explorer where she was shot.

He recounted the events of that evening, which began at his home in Cambridge. He said some members of the group were drinking and smoking marijuana, but he was sober, when they got invited to a party in the Hebron-Salem area, but did not receive a specific address. Walsh testified one of his friends knew where the house was and they proceeded to follow them in a separate vehicle. As they turned up a driveway, they quickly realized they were at the wrong house with no lights or signs of activity and began to turn around.

Walsh said the first shot was fired by Monahan as they were turning around. He described hearing a loud, popping noise and asking the backseat what that was. One of his friends said “I think someone is shooting at us.” He said he continued to turn around and heard a second gunshot and metal hit the car. As they exited the driveway, he realized Gillis was slumped over in the passenger seat and that she had been shot.

He then let his friends know and they began to drive to the nearest hospital, attempting to call 911 as they went, until they pulled over and attempted to perform CPR while waiting for first responders.

Frost questioned Walsh on possible inconsistencies in his testimony, the statements he made to investigators and grand jury testimony. He also asked Walsh multiple times about the use of marijuana and alcohol and the presence of it in the vehicle. He asked multiple questions about the presence of the motorcycle over the course of the events, which Walsh was unable to recall.

The defense has attempted to claim Monahan was startled awake by the sound of the motorcycle and feared for his life.

Then Katherine Rondeau, also called Jade, was called to testify. She testified she smoked marijuana that night, but not affected when she began driving to the party.

She became emotional identifying Monahan’s driveway and the events that happened next. Rondeau said as she began to take a three point turn to get out of the driveway, she heard two shots within seconds of each other.

As the vehicles continued down the driveway, Rondeau said she was told Gillis had been shot.

“Blake says Kaylin’s been shot and he doesn’t know where the nearest hospital is so I had to get him there,” Rondeau said.

She recalled similar details to what we’ve heard throughout this trial, the group tried to get cell service and eventually got ahold of 911 before waiting for first responders on Cemetery Rd.

Frost entered a similar line of questioning with this witness, he asked about the consumption of marijuana and alcohol, as well as the location of the motorcycle on the driveway leading up to the shooting. She also reaffirmed what Walsh said, that no one had said anything to the people in the house.

Rory Bain, Gillis’ friend and the motorcycle driver, took the stand as well. He recounted the same details as Walsh and Rondeau. When they drove up Monahan’s driveway and saw no lights or noise, Bain drove up to the house to see if anyone was in the backyard and then quickly began to turn around. He said his bike stalled in the process and he had to throttle it in order to go down the hill.

As he began to turn around, Bain said he heard a loud “pop” noise, but was unsure if it was his motorcycle backfiring or a gunshot. The second sound was a gunshot, he said.

Frost asked similar questions about how close to the house he was with his motorcycle, the gear it was in as he went up and down the driveway and the speed he could have been driving at. Bain said he was not driving faster than 15-20 miles per hour while turning around, and he drove up the driveway at a slower speed.

Then, Alexandra Whiting testified. She was sitting in the backseat behind Gillis in the Ford Explorer. She recounted the same timeline of events and added she saw the silhouette of a man with a gun on the porch of Monahan’s home. She said the gun appeared to be pointed at them and she saw a white flash and heard a gunshot while the vehicles were turning around.

As the group turned around, Whiting said she heard a second gunshot just seconds later and felt the air pressure in the car change, as if the windows were open. After Walsh said he thought Gillis had been shot, Whiting shined her phone flashlight.

“I saw her shot,” she said.

Frost, again, asked questions about discrepancies in Whiting’s testimony at different stages of the investigation related to how Walsh turned around in Monahan’s driveway.

Jacob Haynes took the stand next. He recalled hearing a loud popping noise and telling his friends it was a gunshot. He said everyone in the car was panicked and, as the second shot rang out, he felt something go by his head as he ducked down, losing hearing in his left ear.

Haynes said when they noticed Gillis was shot, they panicked. He emotionally recalled his attempts to stop the bleeding on her neck and then perform CPR on her while they waited for first responders.