Arizona rancher George Alan Kelly’s wife testified on Wednesday in the ongoing murder trial that has significant implications for the borderlands. Wanda Kelly, married to the defendant for over 50 years, recounted an incident on Jan. 30, 2023, when she saw two armed men near their cattle ranch in Nogales, Ariz. She described how her husband went outside with a rifle while on the phone with Border Patrol, hearing shots and fearing the worst.
Prosecutors claim Mr. Kelly shot and killed an 'unarmed migrant,' Gabriel Cuen-Buitimea, but the defense questions the evidence supporting this. The fatal bullet was never found, and Kelly maintains he fired warning shots at suspected drug smugglers.
Law enforcement confirmed Kelly's calls for help to Border Patrol, leading to the discovery of Buitimea’s body on his property. The prosecution's key witness, a Honduran man, admitted to past drug smuggling but denied it on the day of the shooting.
During her testimony, Mrs. Kelly detailed her activities before the incident, including spotting the armed men near their home. She clarified the distance of the men from their house and her call to Border Patrol for assistance.
The trial, which began on March 22, is expected to continue until April 19, with proceedings held four days a week. Kelly's defense argues against the rushed murder charge, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation.
