LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A now-20-year-old man accused of murdering a retired police officer in Las Vegas as a part of a lethal crime spree when he was a teen has agreed to plead responsible.
Jesus Ayala pleaded responsible to costs of second-degree homicide, theft, and battery with use of a lethal weapon, in accordance with court docket data the 8 Information Now Investigators obtained. The plea settlement specifies that the battery cost is thru an Alford plea, that means Ayala shouldn’t be admitting guilt, however acknowledges that prosecutors might have sufficient proof to result in a conviction.
Ayala and his co-defendant, Jzamir Keys, 18, are accused of deliberately mowing down two bicyclists, together with retired California police chief Andy Probst, 64, who died. The youngsters additionally took half in different crimes on Aug. 14, 2023, police mentioned.
Video is a key piece of proof within the case as two bicyclists, together with Probst, seem to have been deliberately hit in separate places within the northwest valley. The opposite bicyclist survived.
Clark County District Courtroom Decide Christy Craig discovered Ayala competent to face trial on Feb. 28 after an analysis at a psychological well being facility.
Ayala’s protection group and prosecutors have agreed to a sentence of 20 years to life, in accordance with the plea settlement.
As a result of Ayala was a juvenile when the crimes have been dedicated, by legislation, probation is obligatory after 20 years.
Keys can be anticipated to take a plea deal on Oct. 14, in accordance with jail data.
“This offer is contingent on co-defendant Jzamir Keys’ acceptance, adjudication and sentencing on his respective deal,” in accordance with Ayala’s plea settlement.
Ayala’s sentencing was scheduled for Dec. 16.
Probst’s widow declined to remark on the time of this text’s publication.
To succeed in investigative reporter Vanessa Murphy, e-mail [email protected].
