Judge Thomas Fink of the Santa Cruz County Superior Court in Arizona walked out of the courtroom in frustration during the trial of rancher George Kelly, who is accused of murder in the fatal shooting of Mexican national Gabriel Cuen-Buitimea. Fink left the bench while the defense was presenting their case, accusing both sides of unnecessarily prolonging the oral arguments. The jury has heard testimony about the circumstances surrounding the shooting and the defense’s claim that Kelly only fired warning shots into the air earlier in the day. Kelly’s wife testified about alerting border patrol upon spotting armed men near their home.
Kelly’s defense team has been challenging the forensic evidence and autopsy report presented in court, arguing that there is doubt about whether Cuen-Buitimea was killed by Kelly’s gun since the fatal bullet was never recovered from the scene. The defense has raised the possibility that a rip crew, a gang of bandits, could have been responsible for the shooting and robbery. Kelly, who was initially charged with first-degree murder and held on a $1 million bond before it was downgraded to second-degree murder, declined a plea deal offered by prosecutors earlier this year. The trial is expected to conclude on April 19.
The defense and prosecution in the trial of George Kelly have been presenting their cases, with the defense arguing that Kelly only fired warning shots into the air, while the prosecution claims he fatally shot Gabriel Cuen-Buitimea. Judge Thomas Fink grew frustrated with the length of the oral arguments and left the courtroom, leaving the clerk and court reporter in charge. The defense has been questioning the forensic evidence and autopsy report, suggesting that a rip crew could have been responsible for the shooting and robbery of Cuen-Buitimea.
George Kelly, the Arizona rancher on trial for murder, rejected a plea deal that would have reduced the charge to negligent homicide if he pleaded guilty. The trial, which has garnered national attention, is expected to end on April 19. Kelly has been accused of fatally shooting Mexican national Gabriel Cuen-Buitimea, but the defense maintains that he only fired warning shots into the air. The defense has raised doubt about whether Cuen-Buitimea was killed by Kelly’s gun, given that the fatal bullet was never recovered from the scene.
Despite the challenges presented by the defense in questioning the forensic evidence and testimony, the trial continues with both sides presenting their arguments. Judge Thomas Fink’s frustration with the length of the proceedings led him to briefly leave the courtroom during the defense’s presentation. Kelly’s defense team has been working to sow doubt about the prosecution’s case, suggesting that a rip crew could have been responsible for the shooting and robbery. Kelly’s wife testified about the armed men she saw near their home, prompting her to contact border patrol.
The trial of George Kelly in Arizona, accused of murdering Gabriel Cuen-Buitimea, has been marked by tensions and controversy. Kelly rejected a plea deal offered by prosecutors earlier this year, opting to proceed with the trial. The defense has cast doubt on the prosecution’s case, arguing that a rip crew could have been responsible for the shooting and robbery. The trial, which is expected to conclude on April 19, has attracted national attention due to the circumstances surrounding the case. Judge Thomas Fink’s frustration with the proceedings highlights the challenges faced by both sides in presenting their arguments.
