Moorpark Man Pleads Guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter in Fatal Protest Incident Loay Abdel Fattah Alnaji, a 54-year-old Moorpark man, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and felony battery in the death of Paul Kessler, a 69-year-old Jewish man who died after a confrontation during a protest over the Israel-Hamas war in Thousand Oaks. The case has drawn national attention and underscored tensions in Southern California. A 54-year-old Moorpark man, Loay Abdel Fattah Alnaji, pleaded guilty this week to involuntary manslaughter and felony battery in connection with the death of Paul Kessler, a 69-year-old Jewish man who suffered a fatal head injury during a protest over the Israel-Hamas war in Thousand Oaks on November 5, 2023. The incident, which occurred amid a crowd of 75 to 100 demonstrators from both pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian factions at Westlake Boulevard and Thousand Oaks Boulevard, drew national attention and condemnation from the local Jewish community. Kessler was found bleeding from his head and mouth after falling backward and striking his head on the ground following a physical confrontation with Alnaji. An autopsy later determined that Kessler died from a blunt-force injury, which was ruled a homicide.Alnaji, a computer science professor at Moorpark College, was initially detained and cooperative with authorities but was not immediately arrested. Prosecutors filed charges against him less than a month after Kessler’s death, and he initially pleaded not guilty. The case has been a focal point of tension in Southern California, reflecting broader geopolitical conflicts. Alnaji’s defense attorney, Ron Bamieh, argued that Kessler had approached Alnaji aggressively, thrusting a cellphone in his face while making inflammatory accusations.Alnaji attempted to knock the phone away but instead struck Kessler on the left side of his head. Kessler stood for about five seconds before collapsing. Bamieh also suggested that Kessler’s pre-existing balance issues may have contributed to his fall and subsequent injury. The defense planned to argue that Alnaji’s actions were justified and that Kessler’s medical condition played a significant role in his death.Ventura County Superior Court Judge Derek Malan offered Alnaji a plea deal, which he accepted, citing concerns for his family’s well-being and community peace. Alnaji admitted to using a megaphone as a weapon and acknowledged that Kessler was particularly vulnerable. The plea deal is likely to result in formal probation and up to one year in jail, though prosecutors had sought a prison sentence of up to four years.Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko expressed disappointment with the plea deal, stating that a prison sentence would have underscored the severity of the crime and deterred future acts of violence. Alnaji remains free on $50,000 bail and is scheduled to be sentenced on June 25 in Ventura County Superior Court. The case has highlighted the volatile nature of protests related to the Israel-Hamas conflict and the broader implications of such incidents on community relations