In a recent development in Arizona, a judge has ruled that a rancher, who allegedly shot an illegal Mexican immigrant dead as he trespassed on his property, cannot face a retrial for murder charges.
This decision follows a mistrial in April.
As reported by The New York Post, Santa Cruz County Superior Court Judge Thomas Fink sided with the defense attorneys of 75-year-old George Alan Kelly. The decision was influenced by Kelly's advanced age, deteriorating health, and ongoing "senility and memory loss." Judge Fink stated, A re-filing of these charges at a future date would place the defense at a significant disadvantage, adding that too much time had elapsed for a retrial to be feasible.
The case dates back to January 2023 when Kelly allegedly shot Gabriel Cuen Buitimea, a Mexican migrant, as he and another man, Daniel Ramirez, were evading U.S. Border Patrol agents. Prosecutors claim that Kelly fired his assault rifle nine times at the fleeing men.
Kelly was initially charged with second-degree murder and an additional count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Both Buitimea and Ramirez were illegal immigrants in the U.S.
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