This photo provided by the Santa Cruz County Police Department in Nogales, Arizona shows 73-year-old farmer George Alan Kelly, who is being held in custody in the death of a man identified as Mexican. (Santa Cruz County Police Department via AP)
PA
A rancher who lives near the Arizona border with Mexico has been arrested on murder charges in connection with the shooting death of a man tentatively identified as Mexican. Bail was set at $1 million.
The Santa Cruz County Police Department in Nogales, Arizona confirmed Monday that 73-year-old George Alan Kelly was arrested last week following the slaying. Authorities believe the victim was Gabriel Cuen Butimea, 48, who lived across the border in Nogales, Mexico, because of a Mexican voting card he carried with him.
The murder occurred on January 30 in the Kino Springs area, on the outskirts of Nogales, Arizona, according to Deputy Police Chief Gerardo Castillo. The address where the homicide occurred is the same as the public records for Kelly’s cattle ranch.
Details about the case were sketchy and it was unknown if the two men knew each other. Authorities have not provided a motive.
Kelly was being held at the Santa Cruz County jail following his arraignment in the county Justice Court last week. He is scheduled for another court hearing on Wednesday.
Local attorney Brenna Larkin, who was appointed by the court to represent Kelly, did not immediately return a call seeking comment on the charges against the defendant.
Source: El Nuevo Herald
