Trial Starts for Arizona Border Rancher Charged With Killing Illegal Immigrant on His Property

Trial Starts for Arizona Border Rancher Charged With Killing Illegal Immigrant on His Property
George Alan Kelly listens to the prosecution during opening arguments in his trial at Santa Cruz County Superior Court in Nogales, Ariz., on March 22, 2024. Angela Gervasi/Nogales International via AP, Pool
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PHOENIX—An Arizona rancher went on trial Friday in the fatal shooting of an illegal immigrant on his property near Mexico, with his defense attorney maintaining his innocence as the national debate over border security heats up ahead of this year’s presidential election.

George Alan Kelly, 75, has been charged with second-degree murder in the killing of a man he encountered on his property outside Nogales, Arizona. The jury trial in Santa Cruz County Superior Court is expected to last up to a month until around April 19, with proceedings held four days a week with Mondays off.