- Loay Alnaji, 54, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and battery with serious bodily injury.
- He was sentenced to one year in Ventura County Jail and two years of felony probation.
- The prosecution had sought a state prison sentence of up to four years.
- The victim, Paul Kessler, 69, died after being struck with a megaphone during a protest on November 5, 2023.
- Alnaji will also pay $10,000 in restitution and complete anger management courses.
On June 30, 2026, a Ventura County judge sentenced Loay Alnaji to one year in jail and two years of probation for the death of Paul Kessler during a dueling protest in Thousand Oaks. The case has drawn attention to the dangers of escalating political demonstrations.
The Incident and Legal Proceedings
On November 5, 2023, Alnaji was participating in a pro-Palestinian protest at the corner of Thousand Oaks Boulevard and Westlake Boulevard. Kessler, a pro-Israel counterprotester, approached Alnaji, and a verbal altercation turned physical. According to court testimony, Alnaji struck Kessler in the head with a megaphone, causing him to fall and hit his head on the pavement. Kessler died from blunt force head injuries.
Alnaji initially pleaded not guilty to felony battery and manslaughter but changed his plea to guilty in May 2026. The Ventura County District Attorney's Office argued for a state prison sentence, citing the severity of the crime. Judge Derek Malan, however, granted probation, stating, "When we try to equate a life with a number, we fail."
Reactions from Families and Officials
Kessler's widow submitted a victim impact statement, describing the "relentless grief" of losing her husband of 43 years. The Kessler family chose not to attend the sentencing. Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko expressed disappointment, saying, "Given the circumstances, we believe a state prison commitment was the appropriate and just sentence."
Alnaji's defense attorney, Ron Bamieh, portrayed his client as a loving family man and educator at Moorpark College. In a letter read to the court, Alnaji said, "I never wanted to harm anyone. The grief I carry is something I will live with always."
Local California Context
The protest site in Thousand Oaks had become a regular rallying point after the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. The case highlights tensions in Ventura County over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Alnaji, a Moorpark resident, will begin his jail term on August 7, 2026, and must complete anger management courses.
Conclusion
The sentencing closes a chapter in a case that underscores the fine line between protest and violence. While the court opted for leniency, the tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of physical confrontations during demonstrations.