Charges against northern Arizona rancher dropped
KINGMAN, Ariz. — Charges against a northern Arizona rancher who assessed a fee for tourists headed to the Grand Canyon Skywalk have been dropped.
Nigel Turner was arrested in early June and faced charges of threatening and intimidating construction workers.
The Mohave County attorney’s office had asked that the two misdemeanor counts be dismissed, saying it was in the interest of justice. A Kingman justice of the peace granted the request last week.
Turner’s attorney, Melvin McDonald, said Tuesday that Turner never should have been arrested for securing his own land. He applauded prosecutors for doing the right thing.
Tourists no longer have to travel on Turner’s property to reach the Skywalk. The Hualapai Tribe, which owns the glass bridge jutting out from the Grand Canyon, has built a bypass route.
