NOGALES, Ariz. (KVOA) — The family of Gabriel Quen Buttimer is speaking out publicly for the first time since the murder trial of George Alan Kelly ended in a mistrial.
The family of a man whose body was found last year on the property of Santa Cruz County rancher George Alan Kelly is speaking out.
Quen Buttimer's daughters, Daniella Celeste Quen and Jessica Esmeralda Quen, spoke to Telemundo last week and expressed concern over the lack of a verdict, as they believe Kelly is responsible for their father's death.
“It took away my whole life because my father was my whole life,” Daniela said in Spanish.
“He was a man, a father, a son and a grandfather,” Jessica said in Spanish.
Gabriel was found dead from a single gunshot wound on January 30, 2023 at Kelly's ranch.
Kelly denied firing the gun but admitted to firing “warning shots over his head.”
The fatal bullet was never recovered, and no conclusive forensic evidence linking Kelly to the shooting was ever produced during the month-long trial.
The eight jurors were unable to reach a unanimous verdict, but the defense said seven of them were leaning toward acquittal and only one was leaning toward guilty.
This likely influenced the prosecution's decision, announced at Monday's hearing, to reject a request for a new trial.
As Judge Kelly left court after the hearing, he was asked how he responded to the feelings of the Quen Buttimer family that justice had not been served.
Mr Kelly responded by saying he sympathised with their loss.
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