Loay Alnaji likely gets probation over protester death
Updated
Updated · Fox News · May 9
Loay Alnaji likely gets probation over protester death
8 articles · Updated · Fox News · May 9
The 53-year-old California community college professor changed his plea in Ventura County, where Judge Derek Malan indicated formal probation and up to 365 days in jail.
Alnaji had faced up to four years after striking 69-year-old Paul Kessler with a megaphone during duelling Thousand Oaks protests in 2023; Kessler later died of blunt force trauma, the medical examiner said.
The district attorney, Kessler's family and Jewish groups criticised the likely sentence, while the defence disputed causation; sentencing is set for 25 June amid wider US antisemitism concerns linked to Israel-Gaza tensions.
A protest death, a plea deal, and no prison time. What message does this send about political violence?
When a judge calls a fatal blow an 'accident,' how can communities trust the justice system will protect them?
Guilty Plea in Thousand Oaks Protest Death: Loay Alnaji’s Sentencing and the Fallout from Paul Kessler’s Killing
Overview
On May 9, 2026, Loay Alnaji, a Moorpark professor, pleaded guilty to the death of Paul Kessler during a protest, marking a turning point in the case. This admission brought mixed reactions: while some in the community, like Rabbi Noah Farkas, welcomed the acknowledgment of guilt, there was disappointment over the likely lenient sentence, as Alnaji may avoid state prison. The community mourns Kessler’s loss and hopes for closure, but also desires a safer environment for future demonstrations. The case highlights ongoing tensions and the challenge of balancing justice, accountability, and public safety.