Professor Loay Abdelfattah Alnaji, charged with the death of a Jewish man during a protest over the Israel-Hamas war, has been ordered to stand trial after a preliminary hearing. The incident occurred during an anti-Israel demonstration in Thousand Oaks, where Alnaji allegedly struck 69-year-old Paul Kessler with a megaphone, causing him to fall and hit his head on the pavement, resulting in his death the following day. Alnaji, a computer science professor at Moorpark College, faces charges of involuntary manslaughter and battery causing serious bodily injury.
Following the incident, Alnaji’s bail was set at $50,000, and he has been accused of potentially facing hate crime charges. Alnaji had expressed pro-Palestinian views on social media platforms prior to the incident, although there is currently no evidence linking his actions to hate speech at the protest where Kessler was fatally injured. The District Attorney’s office is continuing to investigate Alnaji’s social media accounts and other documents to determine if there is any evidence of a hate crime.
Alnaji’s lawyers have argued that there was a distance between Alnaji and Kessler when he fell, suggesting that something else could have caused his fall rather than the alleged strike with a megaphone. If Alnaji is found guilty of all charges, he could face a prison sentence of over four years, with the two felony counts counting as two strikes under California’s three-strikes law. This law mandates a minimum sentence of 25 years to life for individuals convicted of three strikes, potentially resulting in a significant prison term for Alnaji if found guilty.
The incident has sparked controversy and drawn attention to the tensions surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict. While Alnaji has been charged in connection with Kessler’s death, questions remain about the circumstances leading to the fatal altercation during the protest. The case will proceed to trial, where both sides will have the opportunity to present evidence and arguments to determine Alnaji’s culpability in the incident. The outcome of the trial will ultimately determine the legal consequences for Alnaji and provide closure for the family and friends of Paul Kessler, the victim in this tragic event.
