ARIZONA Judge declares mistrial in case of Arizona rancher charged with murder of Mexican national on border property

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Fox News

A jury was unable to reach a verdict in the case of Arizona rancher George Alan Kelly, who was accused of second-degree murder in connection to the death of a Mexican national found fatally shot on his borderland ranch in January 2023.

The jury began deliberating April 18. After days of being unable to reach a verdict, the judge overseeing the trial declared a mistrial on Monday.

The case centered around the death of Mexican national Gabriel Cuen-Buitimea, who was found shot to death on Kelly's 170-acre cattle ranch near Keno Springs outside Nogales, Arizona, on Jan. 30, 2023. 

Kelly's defense has countered the prosecution's argument that Cuen-Buitimea was an unarmed migrant and has suggested cartel influence mired the death investigation

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“There Was One Holdout” – Rancher George Kelly’s Defense Lawyer Says It Was 7 to 1 For Not Guilty Verdict

George Alan Kelly’s defense attorney Kathy Lowthorp spoke with the media after a judge declared a mistrial in the rancher’s murder case.

A status hearing will be held on Monday where the Santa Cruz County Attorney will decide if George Kelly will face a retrial.

Lowthorp said it was 7 to 1 for a not guilty verdict — One juror thought Kelly was guilty of second-degree murder (or lesser charges to include negligent homicide and manslaughter).

 

“There was one holdout,” Lowthorp told the press after she walked out of court.

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Prosecutors will not retry Arizona rancher accused of murder in shooting of trespassing illegal immigrant