A trial in Nogales, Arizona, has captured national attention as an Arizona rancher, George Alan Kelly, faces charges of second-degree murder in the shooting of Gabriel Cuen-Buitimea, an unarmed migrant from Nogales, Mexico. The incident occurred on Kelly's property near the U.S.-Mexico border in January 2023.
During closing arguments, the prosecution alleged that Kelly recklessly fired an AK-47 rifle towards a group of men, resulting in Cuen-Buitimea being shot nine times and sustaining severe injuries. The defense argued that Kelly was acting in self-defense, fearing for his safety and that of his wife and property, as he encountered the group on his ranch.
The prosecutor urged the jury to consider charges of reckless manslaughter or negligent homicide if they could not convict Kelly of murder. The defense emphasized that Kelly was in a 'life or death situation' and had been increasingly concerned about groups of migrants crossing his property over the years.
Court records revealed that Cuen-Buitimea had a history of illegal entry into the U.S. and had been deported multiple times. The other migrants present during the incident managed to escape back to Mexico unharmed.
The trial included a visit to Kelly's cattle ranch, where the shooting took place, providing jurors with firsthand insight into the events of that day. Kelly had previously rejected a plea agreement that would have reduced the charges against him.
In addition to the murder charge, Kelly also faced allegations of aggravated assault against another individual in the group. Testimony from a migrant seeking work in the U.S. highlighted the complexities of the situation and the challenges faced by both the rancher and the migrants crossing the border.
