Arizona rancher George Alan Kelly’s high-stakes murder trial involving the death of Mexican national Gabriel Cuen-Buitimea continued with key testimony from his wife, Wanda Kelly, who witnessed the events leading up to the shooting. She described seeing two armed and backpack-carrying men near their home, prompting her husband to go outside with a rifle while contacting Border Patrol. Mrs. Kelly heard gunshots but was relieved to find her husband unharmed. Prosecutors allege that Kelly shot and killed Buitimea, but the defense questions the evidence supporting this claim, as the bullet was never recovered from the scene.
The defense maintains that Kelly fired warning shots at what he believed were drug smugglers trespassing on their property. Law enforcement confirmed Kelly’s call to Border Patrol the day of the shooting and their subsequent search of the area. The prosecution’s key witness, a Honduran man who was with Buitimea during the shooting, admitted to past involvement in drug smuggling but claimed not to be smuggling that day. Mrs. Kelly’s testimony depicted the events leading up to the shooting, from spotting the armed men to her husband’s reaction upon hearing a shot.
The trial shed light on the confusion and chaos that ensued following the shooting, including Kelly’s efforts to contact Border Patrol and the discovery of Buitimea’s body on their ranch. Kelly was initially charged with first-degree premeditated murder, leading to a controversial fundraising effort for his bail. The charge was later downgraded to second-degree murder, and Kelly rejected a plea deal that would have reduced it further. The defense argued that the rush to charge Kelly with first-degree murder failed to consider crucial forensic evidence and investigation methods.
Kelly’s defense attorney highlighted the issue of testimony being manipulated by drug traffickers to serve their own interests, drawing parallels to the influence of drugs and people in criminal enterprises. The ongoing trial, which began on March 22, is expected to last up to a month, with proceedings taking place four days a week. Mrs. Kelly’s detailed account of the events on the day of the shooting, combined with other testimonies and evidence, will play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the case. The defense maintains that Kelly’s actions were in response to a perceived threat on his property by individuals engaged in illegal activities.
