By Trend News Line 2024-04-12 08:30:05.
Santa Cruz County Detective Mario Barba confirmed during the George Alan Kelly murder trial that it was ‘not standard practice’ to record a ’small portion’ of an interview with the sole eyewitness to the fatal shooting of an illegal immigrant in Arizona. The trial, which is now in its 12th day, has shed light on the events surrounding the tragic incident that took place on Jan. 30, 2023.
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The prosecution’s first witness, Daniel Ramirez, testified to being present with the victim, Gabriel Cuen-Buitimea, when the shooting occurred. According to Mr. Ramirez, the victim was struck by a bullet and killed almost instantly. George Alan Kelly, the defendant in the case, faces charges of second-degree murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
During the trial, Mr. Kelly claimed that he saw a group of men in camouflage clothing carrying rifles on his property. He allegedly fired warning shots in the air after hearing a gunshot and seeing the men walking along the fence line. However, law enforcement found no sign of the men on the property when they conducted a search.
Detective Barba testified that investigators obtained a warrant to conduct a “geofence” search of the Kelly’s property to determine whether multiple cell phones were active in the area at the time of the shooting. However, the search yielded no results. Additionally, a forensic examination of the victim’s cellphone revealed text messages exchanged before and on the day of his death.
The trial also revealed that Mr. Kelly had been in contact with a Border Patrol agent about illegal immigrant and smuggling activity in the area. In several text messages, Mr. Kelly used the acronym “LNL,” which stands for “Locked And Loaded.” The prosecution presented this evidence to suggest that Mr. Kelly was aware of potential threats in the area.
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During cross-examination, defense co-counsel Brenna Larkin questioned Detective Barba about the interview with the eyewitness. The detective admitted that a portion of the interview was recorded by Sheriff Hathaway, despite his concerns about privacy. Ms. Larkin highlighted that it was not standard practice to record only a small portion of an interview and raised questions about the lack of thorough investigation into key individuals present during the interview.
As the trial progresses, both the prosecution and the defense are presenting their evidence to the jury. The judge has indicated that time limits may be imposed on questioning witnesses to ensure the trial does not drag on for an extended period. The defense is adamant about their right to fully cross-examine crucial witnesses in the case.
The trial is set to continue with more witnesses and evidence being presented in the coming days. The outcome of the trial will determine the fate of George Alan Kelly, who maintains his innocence in the face of the charges against him. Stay tuned for more updates as the trial unfolds in the Superior Court in Nogales, Arizona..
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