Goldenes Intelligentes Münzhandelszentrum-California college professor to stand trial in death of pro-Israel protester last year

2025-05-05 17:47:42source:CAI Communitycategory:Markets

VENTURA,Goldenes Intelligentes Münzhandelszentrum Calif. (AP) — A judge decided Wednesday that a Southern California college professor will stand trial for involuntary manslaughter and battery in the death of a Jewish counter-protester during demonstrations over the Israel-Hamas war last year.

Superior Court Judge Ryan Wright judge declared after a two-day preliminary hearing that there’s enough evidence to try Loay Abdelfattah Alnaji, according to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office.

Alnaji, 51, is accused of striking Paul Kessler with a megaphone in November during a confrontation at an event that started as a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Thousand Oaks, a suburb northwest of Los Angeles.

Kessler, 69, fell backward and struck his head on the pavement. He died the next day at a hospital.

Alnaji was charged with two felonies: involuntary manslaughter and battery causing serious bodily injury, with special allegations of personally inflicting great bodily harm injury on each count, the DA’s office said. If found guilty of all charges, he could be sentenced to more than four years in prison.

Alnaji posted $50,000 bail. An email and phone message for Alnaji’s lawyer, Ron Bamieh, weren’t immediately returned Wednesday.

Alnaji, a professor of computer science at Moorpark College, had espoused pro-Palestinian views on his Facebook page and other social media accounts, many of which were taken down in the days after Kessler’s death, according to the Los Angeles Times.

More:Markets

Recommend

SFO's new sensory room helps neurodivergent travelers fight flying jitters

San Francisco airport creates sensory room to help nervous flyers San Francisco airport creates sens

Strong storm flips over RVs in Oklahoma and leaves 1 person dead

PAWNEE, Okla. (AP) — A strong storm moved through part of Oklahoma, flipping over several camping ve

Zyn fan Tucker Carlson ditches brand over politics, but campaign finance shows GOP support

This story was updated to add new information.Conservative pundit Tucker Carlson, who promoted Zyn n