Two teenagers accused of killing a retired police chief were seen grinning, laughing and making obscene hand gestures in court as their trial date was set.
Jesus Ayala, 18, and Jzamir Keys, 16, both face charges including numerous felonies, including murder, in connection with the death of Andreas Probst, 64.
The suspects could be seen smiling and laughing as Probst’s family gathered in a Las Vegas courtroom for a hearing Tuesday morning.
The pair have been charged as adults and have entered not guilty pleas to multiple crimes, including murder, criminal damage and grand theft of a motor vehicle.
Probst died after being hit by a car while riding his bicycle on a highway, which police say was done intentionally by Ayala and Keys in August.
The two teenagers were seen grinning and laughing in court Tuesday next to the family of their alleged victim
During the hearing, in which a trial date was set, the two also allegedly turned on Probst’s daughter and wife.
Ayala and Keys both face charges including numerous felonies, including murder in connection with the death of Andreas Probst, pictured here
Probst’s daughter Taylor told me KSNV after the hearing: ‘These guys had no respect for the court. They were just hanging out the whole time.”
During the hearing, which set a trial date, Taylor said the two rejected her and her mother.
She told the outlet, “They (the defendants) scared us off. How can you sit there after taking a man’s life and act like such a troubled bastard?’
In addition to the fatal collision with Probst, which the two are said to have filmed, the police also believe they were involved in another incident earlier that day in which a 72-year-old cyclist was mowed down.
A new video released by a local court on Monday reportedly shows the teenagers laughing and deliberately hitting the 72-year-old man.
The victim suffered a knee injury from the crash but survived, police said Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Separate surveillance footage showed what is believed to be the suspects trying to flee police by running through a parking lot.
In addition to the two cyclists, police say the two teens stole three cars and committed a burglary within two hours.
Ayala faces 18 charges in connection with the incident, including murder, attempted murder, assault with use of a deadly weapon, leaving the scene of an accident and numerous separate charges of theft and burglary.
Officers arrested Ayala hours after he allegedly drove into Probst and told officers he wouldn’t be locked up for long.
Ayala told police, “Do you think this young person (expletive) is going to do something (expletive)? I bet I’ll be out in thirty days.”
Probst’s daughter Taylor blasted the two for their behavior in court, saying the two were ‘wandering around’
Probst, 64, was fatally struck on August 14 while cycling in northwest Las Vegas. Footage filmed by the passenger shows he was deliberately killed by the driver
Surveillance footage released Monday shows what is believed to be the suspects trying to flee police by running through a parking lot
He added, “It’s just ah, (expletive) ah, hit-and-run – slap on the wrist,” despite police not yet telling him about the accident, according to KLAS. His comments were captured on police body cameras.
Police had only arrested him for a warrant and obstructing a peace officer, but discovered the sick images of Probst being hit by a car on his phone.
They also found a second video of a Kia Soul crashing into another cyclist, with the footage apparently recorded by Ayala, who appeared to be the car’s passenger.
His passenger, Jzamir Keys, 16, is accused of filming the sick footage of the attack, which saw the retired officer teased as they collided with him.
Graphic video shows a dashboard view from the front seat of a vehicle approaching Probst from behind as he drove along the curb on an otherwise traffic-free road.
Laughter and commentary are heard from inside the car before Probst, wearing a red shirt and dark shorts, was punched and thrown against the windshield.
A final image of the moving car shows the retired top cop on the ground next to the curb.
At a news conference, Taylor Probst described her father – known to loved ones as “Andy” – as a man of honor and integrity who spent more than 35 years in law enforcement.
Jesus Ayala’s mother said she “doesn’t know” whether her son – who was 17 at the time – can be forgiven for his alleged crimes.
She previously told 8 News Now: “I don’t know why he did this. I don’t know if God can forgive this.’
Keys’ mother promised that his “side of the story” will be told, labeling it “the truth,” rather than the “inaccuracies the media will try to portray.”
During an earlier court hearing, two of Keys’ family members were crying, and one of Ayala’s female relatives was also present.
She shielded her face and held back tears as she walked past reporters outside the courtroom, according to the Journal.
Ayala has a long criminal history in child welfare, according to 8 News Now, while Keys was placed in child protective services at the age of eight.
Andreas Probst is pictured here with his daughter Taylor in an undated photo
Prosecutors believe the killing of Probst, a former police chief in Bell, California, ended the surge.
Deputy Police Chief Nick Farese called the “intentional” collision in a stolen vehicle and the sick video “an act of cowardice that has personally shocked me in my 22 years in law enforcement.”
At a news conference, Taylor Probst described her father – known to loved ones as “Andy” – as a man of honor and integrity who spent more than 35 years in law enforcement.
“We are devastated by Andy’s senseless murder,” she said. “Andy’s life was taken by two individuals who did not believe the lives of others mattered.”
Probst urged prosecutors to “bring these crimes to the fullest extent of the law.”
Judge Bluth set the trial date for September 16, 2024. The teenagers and their lawyers are expected back in court in March to assess the readiness of the trial.
