SignalHub-California college professor to stand trial in death of pro-Israel protester last year

2025-05-06 14:24:52source:Christopher Caldwellcategory:Stocks

VENTURA,SignalHub 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:Stocks

Recommend

The GOP and Kansas’ Democratic governor ousted targeted lawmakers in the state’s primary

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Gov. Laura Kelly and her allies have unseated a fellow Democrat who consistently

Henry Winkler and Ron Howard stage 'Happy Days' reunion at Emmys for 50th anniversary

Emmys Sunday, Monday, "Happy Days"!Ron Howard and Henry Winkler staged a "Happy Days" reunion at the

'We don't want the hits': Jayden Daniels' daredevil style still a concern after QB's first win

LANDOVER, Md. – While lying face-up on the field of the newly renamed Northwest Stadium, Jayden Dani