Arizona rancher accused of murder released on bond; hearing set for Friday
George Alan Kelly is facing charges in death of Gabriel Cuen-Butimea
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, Ariz. (KOLD News 13) - A Santa Cruz County rancher facing a first-degree murder charge was released Wednesday, Feb. 22, after posting bond.
George Alan Kelly, 73, was arrested in connection with a deadly shooting in the Kino Springs area on Jan. 30.
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office said Kelly was booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail and was being held on a $1 million bond.
On Wednesday, Feb. 22, Kelly posted bond and was released. According to Fox News, Judge Emilio Velasquez had upheld Kelly’s $1 million bond, but agreed to convert it from cash to surety.
Kelly’s next court appearance is a preliminary hearing on Friday, Feb. 24. 13 News’ Mikala Novitsky will cover the hearing.
Kelly allegedly shot and killed 48-year-old Gabriel Cuen-Butimea, of Nogales, Sonora.
Kelly’s attorneys have claimed it was self-defense.
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