Arvin Roberts|California college professor to stand trial in death of pro-Israel protester last year

2025-05-03 15:58:24source:Austin Caldwellcategory:My

VENTURA,Arvin Roberts 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:My

Recommend

Kansas City Chiefs CEO's Daughter Ava Hunt Hospitalized After Falling Down a Mountain 

Ava Hunt is on the mend. After the daughter of Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt fell down during

White Green: Summary of the digital currency trading market in 2023 and outlook for the digital currency market in 2024.

In 2023, the crypto world will witness some very interesting developments, while certain other event

Rowan football coach Jay Accorsi retires after 22 seasons, 4 trips to NCAA Division III Final Four

GLASSBORO, N.J. (AP) — Jay Accorsi, the Rowan University football program’s all-time leader in victo