An Arizona rancher accused of killing a Mexican migrant on his property last month now faces second-degree murder charges after the first-degree murder charges against him were downgraded.
During a court hearing on Friday, George Kelly’s lawyer pleaded not guilty on his behalf. The prosecution alleges that Kelly, a 74-year-old farmer, fired shots from an AK-47 rifle at several unarmed border crossers, fatally hitting Gabriel Cuen-Buitimea, 48, as he attempted to flee.
The defense countered that Kelly believed he was being besieged by armed traffickers in the border town and fired shots in self-defense over their heads.
However, a detective testified that Kelly’s account of the shooting was inconsistent and this eventually led to his arrest. A witness to the killing testified that Kelly shot without provocation, and that the group of eight border crossers was unarmed.
Kelly was released on a $1 million bond with support from a Christian group after GoFundMe declined to host a fundraising campaign.
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