Arizona Rancher on Trial for Murder Told Investigators He Had ‘No Reason to Believe’ He Shot Illegal Immigrant

George Alan Kelly, a resident of Nogales, Arizona, was arrested after admitting to shooting an AK-47 rifle over the heads of five illegal immigrants he believed were armed and trafficking drugs on his property. Despite initially denying any involvement in the death of Mexican citizen Gabriel Cuen-Buitimea, Kelly later confessed to firing the shots. The prosecution downgraded the charge to second-degree murder, alleging that Kelly’s reckless actions caused the victim’s death. The trial included testimony from detectives and ballistic experts, as well as evidence recovered from the scene. Kelly claimed he acted in self-defense, but the prosecution argued that he used excessive force. Kelly shot at the victim, despite his denial. She highlighted the discrepancy in statements made by Mr. Kelly and the investigators, pointing out the lack of physical evidence linking him to the crime. The defense argued that Mr. Kelly’s actions were in self-defense, as he felt his life was in danger after hearing a gunshot. They emphasized the importance of considering all the facts and circumstances surrounding the case before reaching a conclusion. Kelly fired directly at the group of men despite his repeated denials. He claimed that one of the men had raised a rifle at him while running parallel. The witness testified that shooting in their direction was reckless and dangerous. The attorney questioned how the shooting towards the south affected the victim lying to the east. The trajectory of the bullet indicated that it came from the direction of Kelly’s house. The detective stated that Kelly’s actions showed a disregard for human life. The witness acknowledged the right to self-defense but emphasized the need to assess the situation before shooting. The attorney expressed a different approach to handling the situation, indicating a preference for shooting at the person with the rifle rather than firing into the air. Can you please rewrite this sentence for me?

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