NORWICH – Appearing in court on Friday, confessed murderer Kelly J. Gillett, of Johnson City was sentenced to 18-years to life in prison.

Investigators said they were disappointed in her lack of remorse and that she offered no insight into why she gunned down her Sherburne boyfriend as he slept.

On October 19, 2020, in the Village of Sherburne, Gillett repeatedly shot the victim, Jonathan Ryan, 39, with a 20 gauge shotgun as he laid in bed.

On May 10 Gillett pleaded guilty to second degree murder in a plea deal but she never offered a reason why she committed the murder. Investigators have puzzled over a possible motive for the crime, saying an investigation revealed no drug use, domestic violence or financial troubles.

Gillett declined to speak at sentencing and officials said she showed no remorse.

“Motive is not always explained,” said Chenango County District Attorney Michael Ferrarese. “Ms. Gillett can explain and she decided not to speak in court today.”

“I was disturbed by the pre-sentence report and investigation,”said the DA. “She was asked, 'is she or was she remorseful?' and she expressed no remorse. She deserves to spend the rest of her life in prison for the cold blooded murder of Jonathan Ryan,” he said.

After Gillett refused her final chance to speak, Chenango County Court Judge Frank Revoir Jr., said, “I hear no remorse. I thought we might hear – I was prepared that after the last 8, 9, 10 months something would have evolved and we have heard something more.”

Ryan's mother gave an emotional statement in court that talked about the loss felt by the family.

“She had no remorse. She was empty inside,” said Sheriff Detective Sergeant Gary Miller, following Friday's sentencing.

During the initial investigation Miller said Gillett began singing in the police car on her way to her arraignment at Sherburne Village Court, where she was formally charged with second degree murder.

He said investigators searched at length but found no evidence of domestic violence or drugs in the case, or any notable conflict between the victim and defendant.

“It is a little unsettling, I think if she was allowed to go free she would do it again,” said Miller.

According to investigators, Gillett shot the victim three times at very close range in the bedroom, she then called 911 and admitted to the murder.

Gillett and the vicim were in a relationship at the time of the murder. Ryan is a Sherburne-Earlville High School graduate and the father of three children, all of them from a previous relationship. Police said none of the children were at the home when the crime took place.

During her guilty plea Judge Revoir listened to Gillett describe the events leading up to the shooting.

Gillett worked at Valley Ridge Center for Intensive Treatment in Norwich and told the judge she got out of work at about 7:30 a.m. and went to Ryan's home along Gould Drive in Sherburne.

After taking a nap for a few hours she awoke to find Ryan still sleeping. She retrieved her 20 gauge shotgun and shot him three times, she said. She did not say why in court.

“I fell asleep, I woke up by 9,” estimated Gillett under questioning from Revior.

He asked, “And what were your intentions?”

“That I was going to kill John,” she replied.

“I had my 20 gauge shotgun already there from practicing shooting on state land,” Gillett said. “So I loaded it up, I went upstairs. He was sleeping, and I shot him.” she told the court.

“Basically, there was no argument or a fight,” said Chenango County Sheriff Ernest R. Cutting Jr. following Gillett's arrest. “She took a shotgun and shot him, he tried to get away and she shot him again.”

The DA thanked the Chenango County Sheriff's Office, the New York State Police and conservation officers, the Sherburne Police Department, and the pathologists at Lourdes Hospital in Binghamton.

“Thanks to the great assistance received from all the investigating agencies we had the ability to present a strong case in court,” said Ferrarese.