Moorpark professor may avoid prison time in death of Jewish man at Thousand Oaks protest

This is read by an automated voice.Please report any issues or inconsistencies here.

A Moorpark professor has changed his plea to guilty in the death of a Jewish man at a protest in Thousand Oaks.As a result, he could avoid spending time in state prison.

Loay Abdel Fattah Alnaji was accused of hitting Paul Kessler on the head with a megaphone, causing him to fall and strike his head on the pavement at a protest in November 2023, according to the Ventura County district attorney’s office.Alnaji had joined the rally on the corner of Westlake and Thousand Oaks boulevards in support of Palestine, while Kessler had attended as a a counter-protester in support of Israel.

Kessler died the following day at age 69.The tragic incident took place around the outset of the Israel-Hamas war and became a lightning rod for controversy as tensions between supporters of Israel and Palestine soared across the nation.California Loay Abdelfattah Alnaji, 50, faces felony charges of involuntary manslaughter and battery in the death of Paul Kessler, Ventura County D.A.

announces.Alnaji initially pleaded not guilty to all counts and allegations, and the case was set to proceed to trial.But on Tuesday, the 53-year-old Moorpark resident reversed course, pleading guilty to felony involuntary manslaughter and felony battery causing serious bodily injury, prosecutors said.

He also admitted to personally inflicting great bodily injury, using a weapon and that the victim was particularly vulnerable.The maximum sentence for his charges is four years in state prison.

However, the court has indicated that, by changing his plea, Alnaji will likely be sentenced to probation with the possibility of up to 365 days in county jail, prosecutors said.In county jail, a person serves time locally, often with possibilities for work release, electronic monitoring or early release.His sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 25, and he remains out of custody after posting $50,000 bail, prosecutors said...