Death of Paul Kessler

{{Short description|2023 death of a Jewish man in California, U.S.}}

Paul Kessler was a Jewish American man who died at the age of 69 after being fatally injured in an altercation on November 5, 2023, between dueling pro-Israel and pro-Palestine demonstrations in Thousand Oaks, California, United States.{{Cite web |first=Sean |last=O'Driscoll |date=2023-11-07 |title=Paul Kessler video shows how Jewish man died at pro-Palestinian protest |url=https://www.newsweek.com/paul-kessler-jewish-assault-california-israel-palestine-1841395 |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=Newsweek |language=en}} Kessler's death has been ruled a homicide;{{Cite web |date=2023-11-07 |title=Jewish man dies from head injury following 'interaction' with pro-Palestinian demonstrator in California, authorities say |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/07/us/thousand-oaks-protest-man-dies/index.html |access-date=2023-11-08 |website=CNN|first1=Dakin|last1=Andone|first2=Cindy|last2=Von Quednow|first3=Taylor|last3=Romine}} as of a May 2024 press release from the prosecution, authorities have yet to find evidence of a hate crime.{{cite news |last1=Romine |first1=Taylor |last2=Wolfe |first2=Elizabeth |title=Man charged in death of Jewish protester in California will face trial |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/16/us/loay-alnaji-paul-kessler-death-will-stand-trial/index.html?iid=cnn_buildContentRecirc_end_recirc |access-date=17 May 2024 |work=CNN |date=May 16, 2024}}

On November 16, suspect Loay Alnaji was taken into custody on charges of involuntary manslaughter and battery in the death of Kessler. “While antisemitic hate speech was heard at the November 5, 2023, rally, there is no evidence those words were said by Alnaji,” according to a prosecution press release.

Paul Kessler

Kessler grew up in the tight-knit Jewish community of Scranton, Pennsylvania. He was known as an ardent Democrat who was passionate about progressive causes and Israel.{{Cite web |date=2023-11-09 |title=After altercation at Israel protest led to his death, lifelong friends grieve 'kind, gentle' Paul Kessler |url=https://forward.com/news/568967/paul-kessler-obituary-jewish-scranton/ |access-date=2023-11-17 |website=The Forward|first=Louis|last=Keene |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=11 November 2023 |title='He has become a symbol': Paul Kessler mourned as questions about his death haunt community |work=Los Angeles Times|first=Grace|last=Toohey |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-11-11/la-me-paul-kessler-thousand-oaks-death-shock-fear |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231112033447/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-11-11/la-me-paul-kessler-thousand-oaks-death-shock-fear |archive-date=12 November 2023}} He had worked as a medical sales person, and was married for 43 years with a son.{{Cite web |last1=Garrova |first1=Robert |last2=Littlefield |first2=Dana |date=2023-11-17 |title=Authorities Explain What Led To Manslaughter Charges in Paul Kessler's Death |url=https://laist.com/news/criminal-justice/authorities-explain-what-led-to-charges-in-paul-kesslers-death |access-date=2023-12-07 |website=LAist |language=en}}

Prior to the protest, Kessler had been previously diagnosed with a brain tumor.{{Cite web |last=Woods II |first=Wes|date=November 10, 2024 |title=Pro-Israel demonstrator Paul Kessler honored a year after his death in Thousand Oaks |url=https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/2024/11/10/thousand-oaks-demonstrator-paul-kessler-honored-a-year-after-his-death/76121315007/ |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=Ventura County Star |language=en-US}}

Incident

At dueling pro-Israel and pro-Palestine demonstrations on the Gaza war in Thousand Oaks on November 5, 2023. About 75 to 100 people were gathered at the intersection for the two protests, which were held by two groups; "Freedom for Palestine" and "We are Pro-Israel."{{Cite web |last=Wolfe |first=Elizabeth |date=2023-11-08 |title=California officials ask for the public's help as they investigate the death of a Jewish man during Israel-Hamas war protests |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/08/us/california-israel-hamas-protest-death-wednesday/index.html |access-date=2023-11-09 |website=CNN |language=en}} Police patrolling the area reported seeing no indication of violence about fifteen minutes before the altercation reportedly happened.{{Cite web |last1=Dazio |first1=Stefanie |last2=Watson |first2=Julie |date=2023-11-07 |title=Man involved in confrontation with Jewish protester who died called 911 and cooperated with police |url=https://apnews.com/article/jewish-man-died-israel-palestinian-demonstration-california-c76a49e7c7e3dc18bc8e62633f143351 |access-date=2023-11-09 |website=AP News |language=en}} Kessler and a pro-Palestinian supporter had reportedly been involved in an altercation, and Kessler had at some point fallen backwards and hit his head on the ground.

Reports of Kessler being struck by a pro-Palestinian supporter in the face with a megaphone were reported, and prosecutors would later submit evidence in court showing that Kessler's DNA was found on the rim of the megaphone that Alnaji is accused of holding. County medical examiner Dr. Othon Mena testified that Kessler died from blunt force trauma caused by the blow from the megaphone and the subsequent fall.{{Cite web |last=Campa |first=Andrew J. |date=2024-05-16 |title=Moorpark professor to stand trial in bludgeoning death of pro-Israeli counterprotester Paul Kessler |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-05-15/moorpark-man-to-stand-trial-for-death-of-israeli-counter-protester |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}

According to the lawyer of Loay Alnaji, a 50-year-old male pro-Palestinian supporter, Kessler reportedly got in the face of many of the pro-Palestinian protestors and stuck his phone in Alnaji's face.{{Cite web |last1=Wolfe |first1=Elizabeth |last2=Von Quednow |first2=Cindy |last3=Yan |first3=Holly |date=2023-11-17 |title=Prosecutors used videos and photos to piece together 'clear sequence' of events before fatal injury of pro-Israel protester |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/17/us/paul-kessler-death-arrest-court-appearance/index.html |access-date=2023-12-07 |website=CNN |language=en}}

At around 3:20PM responding deputies and EMS responded to calls and found Kessler on the ground conscious and able to speak.{{Cite web |last1=Lenthang |first1=Marlene |last2=Blankstein |first2=Andrew |last3=Griffith |first3=Janelle |last4=Helsel |first4=Phil |date=2023-11-08 |title='Conflicting' accounts complicate investigation into Jewish man's death after dueling California rallies |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/suspect-cooperative-homicide-investigation-california-man-died-falling-rcna124006 |access-date=2023-11-08 |website=NBC News |language=en}} Alnaji stayed at the location until deputies arrived to indicate his involvement and had helped Kessler and called 911 after he fell. Bleeding from the head and mouth, Kessler was transported to the hospital, where he was responsive and conscious to speak with law enforcement at the hospital.{{Cite web |last1=Cowand |first1=Jill |last2=Hubler |first2=Shawn |date=6 November 2023 |title=Jewish Man's Death After California Protest Clash Is Under Investigation |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/06/us/california-jewish-man-paul-kessler-israel-protests.html |access-date=8 November 2023 |website=The New York TImes}} He died early the next day, November 6, at the hospital.

Investigation

The Ventura County Sheriff's Office initially stated on November 7 at a news conference that there were conflicting accounts from eyewitnesses about the events leading to Kessler's death, and urged anyone with information to come forward.{{Cite web |last1=Kingkade |first1=Tyler |last2=Griffith |first2=Janelle |date=2023-11-07 |title=Jewish man who died after dueling protests wasn't afraid to make his voice heard |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/jewish-man-died-dueling-protests-wasnt-afraid-make-voice-heard-rcna124075 |access-date=2023-11-08 |website=NBC News |language=en}} Sheriff Fryhoff indicated that surveillance footage and other media collected at the scene did not provide a clear view of the encounter and many witnesses disagreed on things such as what caused the fall and who began the confrontation.

Ventura County Sheriff's Office deputies detained a suspect in Kessler's death, who had remained on the scene after calling 911, answering officers' questions. The sheriff's office released the suspect after questioning, then later searched his home.{{cite news |title=Suspect in California Jewish protester's death cooperating with police |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/suspect-california-jewish-protesters-death-cooperating-with-police-2023-11-07/ |first=Brad |last=Brooks |date=November 7, 2023 |work=Reuters}} The medical examiner ruled the cause of death to be homicide, and noted non-lethal facial injuries that could have resulted from being hit. Prior to charges being filed and a suspect arrested officials reportedly reviewed over 600 pieces of evidence, which included media from the demonstration and interviewed more than 60 witnesses.{{Cite web |last=Sternfield |first=Marc |date=2023-11-17 |title=Lawyer for man charged in Jewish demonstrator's death fires back |url=https://ktla.com/news/local-news/watch-live-ventura-co-da-announces-charges-in-death-of-jewish-demonstrator/ |access-date=2023-12-07 |website=KTLA |language=en-US}}

Released findings from Kesslers autopsy showed that he had suffered injuries consistent with a fall, such as skull fractures, brain swelling and bruising along with nonlethal injuries to his face. In a May, 2024 judicial hearing, prosecutors presented DNA analysis showing that blood found on the megaphone matches Kessler.

Suspect

On November 16, the Sheriff's Office announced that they had arrested a 50-year-old male suspect, Loay Alnaji, in connection to Kessler's death on the charge of involuntary manslaughter and battery with a $1 million bail.{{Cite web |last=Lenthang |first=Marlene |date=2023-11-16 |title=Suspect arrested in death of Jewish protester who fell after clash at dueling rallies in California |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/suspect-arrested-death-jewish-protester-fell-clash-dueling-rallies-cal-rcna124205 |access-date=2023-11-16 |website=NBC News |language=en}} He pled not guilty in Ventura County Superior Court the next day, with bail reduced to {{currency|50,000|USD}}, and was ordered to relinquish his U.S. and Jordanian passports.{{Cite news|last1=Winton |first1=Richard |last2=Goldberg |first2=Noah |date=2023-11-17 |title=60 statements, 600 pieces of evidence: Manslaughter charges in death of Jewish protester |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-11-17/moorpark-professor-charged-with-involuntary-manslaughter-in-death-of-jewish-protester |access-date=2023-11-26 |work=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}

Alnaji's lawyer stated that, while they did not contest an altercation occurred, Kessler was combative toward the pro-Palestinian protesters, Alnaji had not caused Kessler to fall, and was between six and eight feet from Kessler when he fell. The prosecution had not found evidence that Alnaji had committed a hate crime as of a May, 2024 press release, and “While antisemitic hate speech was heard at the November 5, 2023, rally, there is no evidence those words were said by Alnaji”.

Alnaji, a professor of computer science at Moorpark College, had previously expressed pro-Palestinian views on social media.{{Cite news |last1=Winton |first1=Richard |last2=Goldberg |first2=Noah |last3=Toohey |first3=Grace |last4=Castleman |first4=Terry |date=16 November 2023 |title=Moorpark professor arrested in death of Jewish protester Paul Kessler in Thousand Oaks |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-11-16/moorpark-professor-arrested-in-death-of-paul-kessler |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231116184455/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-11-16/moorpark-professor-arrested-in-death-of-paul-kessler#selection-1687.66-1687.131 |archive-date=16 November 2023 |work=Los Angeles Times}} Shortly after his arrest, his biography was removed from the Moorpark College website and the Ventura County Community College District placed him on administrative leave.{{Cite web |last=Kiszla |first=Cameron |date=2023-11-16 |title=College professor arrested in Jewish demonstrator's death |url=https://ktla.com/news/local-news/arrest-made-in-death-of-jewish-protester-in-thousand-oaks/ |access-date=2023-11-21 |website=KTLA |language=en-US}}

In June 2024, Alnaji pled not guilty to; 'Involuntary Manslaughter', and 'Battery Causing Serious Bodily Injury', both felonies.{{cite news |last1=Gillies |first1=Andrew |title=Loay Alnaji pleads not guilty to all charges in connection to November protester death |url=https://keyt.com/news/ventura-county/2024/06/10/loay-alnaji-pleads-not-guilty-to-all-charges-in-connection-to-november-protester-death/ |access-date=October 27, 2024 |work=News Channel 3-12 |publisher=NPG of California |date=June 10, 2024}}

Aftermath

File:Kessler Memorial Westlake Blvd 20231107 191921909.jpg

A memorial was set up at the street corner where Kessler was fatally injured.{{Cite web |first=Louis|last=Keene |date=2023-11-07 |title=Police interviewed suspect in death of Jewish protester but say situation isn't 'crystal clear' |url=https://forward.com/news/568679/death-pro-israel-protester-sheriff-suspect-early-to-draw-conclusions/ |access-date=2023-11-08 |website=The Forward |language=en}} A vigil and then a rally were held there.{{Cite web|first1=Gareth|last1=Vipers|first2=Suryatapa|last2=Bhattacharya |title=Police Investigate Death of Jewish Man at Pro-Israel, Pro-Palestinian Rallies Near Los Angeles |url=https://www.wsj.com/us-news/police-investigate-death-of-paul-kessler-at-pro-israel-pro-palestine-rallies-near-los-angeles-c11773a5|date=2023-11-07 |access-date=2023-11-08 |work=The Wall Street Journal |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Gurvis |first=Jacob |date=2023-11-08 |title=Flowers, candles and anger at LA street corner where a Jewish pro-Israel protester was killed |url=https://www.jta.org/2023/11/07/default/flowers-candles-and-anger-at-la-street-corner-where-a-jewish-pro-israel-protester-was-killed |access-date=2023-11-08 |website=Jewish Telegraphic Agency |language=en-US}} The family of Kessler announced that there would be a private funeral after realizing the scope of people that may want to attend and asked for privacy. After Kessler's death the Sheriff's Office increased patrols at and around Muslim and Jewish places of worship and community gathering centers.

A year after his death in 2024, a crowd gathered to honor Kessler and pay tribute to him.

Reactions

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said, "We mourn the death of the Jewish man who died after being injured during a protest in Thousand Oaks. As details emerge and are confirmed, we stand resolute in condemnation of violence and antisemitism."{{Cite web |date=2023-11-07 |title=Mayor Bass Issues Statement After Death of Jewish Man in Thousand Oaks |url=https://mayor.lacity.gov/news/mayor-bass-issues-statement-after-death-jewish-man-thousand-oaks |access-date=2023-11-08 |website=mayor.lacity.gov |language=en}}

The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles called Kessler's death an "antisemitic crime" and stated that violence against the Jewish people had no place and they would not tolerate violence against the community. The Council on American-Islamic Relations denounced the alleged attack and expressed support for the Jewish community.{{Cite web |date=2023-11-07 |title=Jewish man, 69, dies after clash during dueling protests over Israel-Palestinian conflict in LA area|work=CBS Los Angeles |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/69-year-old-jewish-man-killed-during-simultaneous-pro-israel-and-pro-palestinian-rallies/ |access-date=2023-11-08 |first=Matthew|last=Rodriguez |language=en-US}}