Moorpark Professor Pleads Guilty in Fatal Attack on Jewish Protester

A Moorpark professor who was charged in the death of a Jewish man during a 2023 protest has changed his plea to guilty. This legal shift means the defendant may now avoid spending time in state prison, a prospect that has drawn sharp criticism from prosecutors and Jewish community leaders.

A Sudden Shift in Legal Strategy

Loay Abdel Fattah Alnaji, a 53-year-old Moorpark resident, initially pleaded not guilty to all counts and allegations following the death of Paul Kessler. However, on Tuesday, Alnaji reversed course and pleaded guilty to felony involuntary manslaughter and felony battery causing serious bodily injury.

As part of the plea, Alnaji admitted to using a weapon, personally inflicting great bodily injury and acknowledged that the victim was particularly vulnerable.

Details of the November 2023 Incident

The fatal encounter occurred in November 2023 during dueling pro-Israel and pro-Palestine rallies at the corner of Westlake and Thousand Oaks boulevards in Thousand Oaks. Alnaji had joined the rally in support of Palestine, while 69-year-old Paul Kessler attended as a counter-protester in support of Israel.

According to the Ventura County district attorney’s office, Alnaji hit Kessler on the head with a megaphone. The blow caused Kessler to fall and strike his head on the pavement. Kessler died the following day.

Sentencing: State Prison vs. County Jail

While the maximum sentence for Alnaji’s charges is four years in state prison, the court has indicated a different path. Due to the change in plea, prosecutors say Alnaji will likely be sentenced to probation with a possible term of up to 365 days in county jail.

The distinction is significant: state prison is for more severe felony convictions, whereas county jail allows for local service, which often includes options for electronic monitoring, work release, or early release. Alnaji remains out of custody after posting $50,000 bail, with his sentencing hearing scheduled for June 25.

Outcry from Prosecutors and Community Leaders

The likelihood that Alnaji will avoid state prison has sparked significant pushback.

“Alnaji should be sentenced to prison for his violent behavior, and our office strongly objects to any lesser sentence,” stated Dist. Atty. Erik Nasarenko. “While no amount of punishment will ever fully account for the Kessler family loss, a prison commitment underscores the severity of this crime and will deter others from committing similar acts of violence.”

Joshua Burt, a regional director for the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) representing Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo counties, described the suggested sentence as “woefully inadequate.” Burt expressed concern that a lack of lasting consequences could embolden further violence against the Jewish community, specifically targeting the elderly.

Rabbi Noah Farkas, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles, welcomed the admission of guilt for what he termed a “heinous crime.” While noting that a harsher sentence would better reflect the family’s pain, Farkas stated that the community respects the legal process and hopes the news brings closure to the Kessler family.

Evidence and the Hate Crime Decision

The case relied on critical forensic evidence. During a preliminary hearing, prosecutors presented DNA evidence that matched blood found on the rim of Alnaji’s megaphone to Paul Kessler. A Ventura County medical examiner testified that the cause of death was blunt force trauma resulting from the megaphone blow and the subsequent fall.

Despite evidence of antisemitic speech occurring at the protest, the district attorney’s office declined to file hate crime charges, stating they found no evidence that Alnaji himself had participated in such speech.

Remembering Paul Kessler

Paul Kessler was a longtime member of Temple Etz Chaim in Thousand Oaks and a known advocate for liberal causes, frequently contributing witty letters to the Thousand Oaks Acorn. He had attended the protest carrying an Israeli flag after a neighbor suggested showing support for Israel at the intersection.

Rabbi Noah Farkas highlighted the gravity of the loss, noting that Kessler was the first Jewish person to die during the Israel-Hamas protest movement following the events of October 7th, and that he was killed while peacefully supporting his people.