Mistrial Declared In Case Of 75-Year-Old Arizona Border Rancher Accused Of Murdering Mexican Migrant On His Land
George Alan Kelly, the 75-year-old Arizona rancher accused of shooting dead an unarmed Mexican national on his land, had his trial end in a mistrial. This outcome stemmed from only one of the jurors believing he was guilty.
Many have advocated on social media for Kelly’s freedom and urged the county not to retry him.
Fox News reports deliberations began on April 18th, and after more than two full days of deliberation and unsuccessful attempts to reach a verdict, the presiding judge declared a mistrial on Monday.
The case revolved around the death of Mexican national Gabriel Cuen-Buitimea, who was discovered shot to death on Kelly’s 170-acre cattle ranch near Keno Springs, just outside Nogales, Arizona, on January 30, 2023.
“We firmly believe that the state failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt,” Lowthorp stated to reporters outside the courthouse, according to The Daily Mail.
“They won’t break my resolve,” Kelly asserted following the ruling, as reported by the Arizona Republic.
Lowthorp’s view on the mistrial is clear: “Try it again, and maybe this time we’ll have all fair jurors who follow the law.”
She assures Kelly that she will continue to represent him if there’s another trial.
Kelly remains confident in his eventual acquittal, stating, “They want ice water in you-know-where. And they ain’t got it. So, it is what it is.”
Kelly emphasized the necessity of persisting to the Arizona Daily Star, saying, “If you’re in a sand trap, you gotta keep hacking until you get out.”
The Santa Cruz County Attorney’s Office retains the option to retry Kelly or drop the case altogether. A status hearing is set for the following Monday afternoon, during which prosecutors may indicate whether they intend to pursue the case again.
X users flocked to the platform to voice their praise over the declared mistrial, urging the county to drop the case ultimately.
“This was a waste of tax payer’s money,” wrote one user on X. “Kelly was innocent—the government was guilty.”
Americans for Prosperity ambassador Robby Starbuck said, “A group of illegal immigrants invaded the property of George Alan Kelly. After he saw guns, George defended his wife and home by firing warning shots in the air.”
“One illegal died and a woke DA tried to charge George with murder. A Jury voted 7 to 1 today that he’s NOT GUILTY. The judge declared a mistrial,” Starbuck added.
“George did nothing wrong. At least for now, a great injustice has been avoided,” he continued. “Prosecutors now have to decide if they’ll try to bring the case a second time which would be crazy given that he was only one juror away from a not guilty verdict.”
Another user chimed in on Starbuck’s to post to say, “Thank goodness that they did the right thing. He has the right to protect his property and his family.”
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