Two teenagers facing charges in connection to the death of a retired police chief, Andreas Probst, were “sniggering” and “laughing” as their trial date was set Tuesday.
The defendants, Jesus Ayala, 18, and Jzamir Keys, 16, who have been charged as adults, faced numerous felony charges, including murder, battery and grand larceny of an automobile, according to KTNV. Their alleged involvement in the death of Probst, who was struck by a car while riding his bicycle down a highway in August, prompted the legal proceedings.
Probst’s family gathered in a Las Vegas courtroom for a hearing, where the two defendants were seen smirking, laughing, and making obscene hand gestures. Probst’s daughter, Taylor, expressed her dismay after the hearing, stating that the defendants showed no respect for the court during the proceedings. (RELATED: REPORT: Arnold Schwarzenegger Hits Cyclist With His Vehicle)
“They were sniggering, laughing and trying to mad-dog and intimidate us, which didn’t work.”
Our @jaewonnews spoke to the Probst family after a trial date was set for the two suspects accused of killing the retired police chief.https://t.co/2G8OjAwvDH— KTNV | Channel 13 News Las Vegas (@KTNV) October 25, 2023
“How can you sit there after taking a man’s life and act like such an entitled pr***? They were sniggering, laughing and trying to mad-dog and intimidate us, which didn’t work,” the victim’s daughter said.
Police believe that the defendants may have been involved in another incident on the same day, where a 72-year-old cyclist was struck and that the teens allegedly filmed the event. Ayala was reportedly driving while Keys was sitting in the passenger seat, according to Las Vegas Police Department, per KTNV.
The Grand jury also released additional evidence on Monday, which included video footage of Ayala making casual conversation with a Metro officer in the back of a police car following his arrest, the outlet added. The daughter of the victim expressed her distress at this new evidence, and said, “They really have no remorse, and this is just a game to them.”
David Westbrook, the public defender representing Ayala, acknowledged in court that he had seen the body cam footage for the first time on Channel 13, indicating the potential implications of this new evidence in the legal proceedings.
The trial date is scheduled for Sept. 16, 2024.