LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The two teenage suspects accused of intentionally hitting and killing retired Bell, California police chief Andreas Probst made their first justice court appearance Wednesday before Judge Rebecca Saxe.
Their names are Jesus Ayala, 17, and 16-year-old Jzamir Keys. Both are facing murder charges, among other crimes.
Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson was also in court for the pair’s initial appearance.
The family of Andreas Probst joined him.
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Wolfson held a short briefing after the hearing to explain the next steps in the case. He said their case was submitted to his office, and prosecutors will review evidence collected in this case. From there, the office plans to move forward with a criminal complaint.
“I’m confident that both these defendants will be charged with open murder, attempted murder and many other related charges,” Wolfson said.
The crime happened on Monday morning, Aug. 14. Probst was cycling in the North on Tenaya Way near Centennial Parkway when he was hit by a car from behind.
On Tuesday, Metro Police revealed they obtained a video allegedly recorded by Keys showing the act was intentional.
Police said Ayala was the driver in this case, and Keys was the passenger. They also said the duo was involved in a crime spree, hitting a 72-year-old cyclist on Fort Apache and Washburn and a Toyota Corolla on Tenaya and Azure within the last half hour before Probst’s killing.
“If you aid and abet, encourage, facilitate or help in any way, another person to commit a crime, you’re equally guilty,” Wolfson said.
According to Wolfson, the two juvenile suspects also have pending charges in juvenile court. But right now, the focus is on the charges in the adult judicial system.
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“A person with no criminal history is looked at a little differently than a person with a significant criminal history. And that's across the board in the criminal justice system,” he said.
The pair will be back in court Tuesday for bail arguments. But for now, they remain in custody at Clark County Detention Center.
“A determination of whether somebody should remain in custody is based upon whether they're a flight risk or danger to the community. I believe they're potentially both. They have certainly proved that they are dangerous,” Wolfson said. “Whether they're a flight risk. That's questionable. But nonetheless, they are a danger to the community. I think a high bail should be set, and we will be asking for high bail.”
Currently, the two suspects’ cases are filed in different departments. A prosecutor asked Judge Saxe in court Wednesday to consolidate the cases because of their relation, but the judge ordered the cases to remain until the state files an appropriate motion to consolidate.
Ayala is facing 12 felony charges and 6 misdemeanor charges. Keys is facing three felony charges.
