A judge in Ventura, California, has ruled that Loay Abdelfattah Alnaji, a professor at Moorpark College, will stand trial for involuntary manslaughter and battery in connection with the death of a Jewish counter-protester during demonstrations over the Israel-Hamas war. The incident occurred in November at a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Thousand Oaks, with Alnaji being accused of striking the victim, Paul Kessler, with a megaphone. Kessler fell and hit his head on the pavement, ultimately leading to his death the following day.
Alnaji, who is facing charges of involuntary manslaughter and battery causing serious bodily injury, could be sentenced to over four years in prison if found guilty of all charges. He has posted bail of $50,000. The professor had expressed pro-Palestinian views on his social media accounts, many of which were removed after Kessler’s death. The District Attorney’s Office is reviewing Alnaji’s messages, postings, and documents but has not found evidence to support a hate crime. While antisemitic hate speech was heard at the rally where the incident occurred, it is not linked to Alnaji.
Despite Alnaji’s participation in the pro-Palestinian demonstration, there is no evidence to suggest that he was responsible for the antisemitic remarks made during the event. The ongoing investigation by the D.A.’s office aims to determine the extent of Alnaji’s involvement in the incident and whether there are any potential hate crime charges that can be brought against him. Alnaji’s defense attorney, Ron Bamieh, has not responded to requests for comment on the case. The judge’s decision to move forward with a trial indicates that there is sufficient evidence to support the charges against Alnaji.
The case involving Alnaji has garnered attention due to the circumstances surrounding Kessler’s death and the potential implications for freedom of speech and expression in public demonstrations. The incident highlights the need for participants in protests and rallies to exercise restraint and avoid violence that can result in tragic consequences. As the legal proceedings progress, the court will have to consider various factors, including the intent behind Alnaji’s actions and the impact of his conduct on the victim and his family. The trial is expected to shed light on the events leading up to Kessler’s death and the responsibility of all parties involved.
