NEW: Jurors unable to reach verdict in murder case against Arizona rancher George Alan Kelly | The Gateway expert

George Alan Kelly

A jury was deadlocked Friday and could not reach a unanimous verdict in the murder trial of Arizona rancher George Alan Kelly.

George Kelly, the Arizona rancher who was arrested and charged with manslaughter and aggravated assault for defending his wife and property from illegal intruders, went on trial last month.

Kelly, 75, was arrested for the murder of Gabriel Cuen-Butimea at his Arizona ranch in Kino Springs, just outside Nogales, Mexico on January 30, 2023.

According to reports, Gabriel Cuen-Butimea has a history of illegal crossing into the United States and multiple deportations.

Defense lawyers say Mr. Kelly fired warning shots after seeing a group of men dressed in camouflaged clothing pointing an AK-47 straight at him.

George Alan Kelly was cautious and shot over their heads, the lawyers said.

The rancher later discovered the deceased illegal alien, believed to be a cartel smuggler, when he went to check on his horse.

Kelly was initially charged with first-degree murder, but a judge recently reduced his charge to first-degree murder evidentiary hearing in court.

Kelly’s attorney Brenna Larkin told jurors that her client “was in a life-or-death situation.”

Jurors deliberated Thursday and did not reach a verdict. Deliberations continued on Friday and after more than seven hours the jury sent a note to the judge saying they could not reach a verdict.

Jury deliberations will resume on Monday.

AZ Central reported:

A jury failed to reach a verdict Friday afternoon in the trial of a Nogales rancher accused of killing an unarmed migrant who crossed his 170-acre property.

After more than seven hours of deliberation, the jury sent a note to Santa Cruz Superior Court Judge Thomas Fink saying the jurors could not reach a unanimous verdict. The judge asked them to deliberate further and offered them to leave early on Friday and return on Monday.

Rancher George Alan Kelly, 75, faces one count of second-degree murder in the death of Gabriel Cuen Buitimea and one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after he was accused of endangering another man, Daniel Ramirez brought when they crossed his. 170 hectares spread near the international border.