LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A grand jury in Las Vegas has indicted two teenagers accused of a deadly crime spree, the 8 News Now Investigators have learned. The indictment was announced in Clark County District Court on Friday.
The grand jury indicted Jesus Ayala, 18, and Jzamir Keys, 16, on the following charges, which carry enhancements because the victims were over the age of 60: murder with use of a deadly weapon, attempted murder with use of a deadly weapon, battery with use of a deadly weapon resulting in substantial bodily harm, and two counts of duty to stop at the scene of a crash involving death or personal injury.
Additional charges without the enhancement include battery with use of a deadly weapon, residential burglary, three counts of grand larceny auto, and three counts of possession of a stolen vehicle. All of the charges are felonies.
Ayala is also charged with gross misdemeanor possession of burglary tools.
“This investigation continued even after the arrest, and that’s why we added additional charges,” Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson told the 8 News Now Investigators.
The video, which went viral, appeared to show a driver intentionally hitting cyclist Andy Probst, 64, while the passenger recorded. Probst, a retired police chief from California, was later pronounced dead. Metro police identified Ayala as the driver and Keys as the passenger.
“It is clearly intentional. Clearly, first-degree murder,” Clark County Chief Deputy District Attorney John Giordani said in court.
Earlier that morning, police said the teens hit a 72-year-old cyclist who survived. Keys was the driver, and Ayala was the passenger as he recorded video, according to detectives. The 8 News Now Investigators first reported that police found video where one teen is heard saying, “bump him” three times.
A hit-and-run involving a car on the road moments before Probst was hit was also on video.
The teens broke into a home and stole spray paint cans, Clark County Chief Deputy District Attorney John Giordani said.
The teens stole a 2019 Hyundai Elantra, a 2017 Hyundai Sonata, and a 2016 Hyundai Elantra, according to the indictment.
The teens are being held without bail and are scheduled to return to court on Oct. 11.
Ayala told an officer that he expected to get a “slap on the wrist” at the time of his arrest, according to an arrest report.
Both teens already faced a murder charge in the adult criminal justice system. In Nevada, the case is automatically moved from the juvenile system if the defendant is 16 or older.
Ayala initially faced 17 counts. In a criminal complaint later filed, charges were reduced to seven counts for Ayala. Keys faced three counts. This was before the indictment.
Keys is represented by criminal defense attorney Dan Hill, who said the family of Keys hired him. Ayala is represented by public defender David Westbrook. The 8 News Now Investigators have reached out to both attorneys regarding the indictment.
If convicted, the maximum penalty the teens could receive would be life in prison with the possibility of parole. By law, the death penalty cannot be pursued against a defendant unless they are 18 or older at the time of the crime. Life without parole is also taken off the table for defendants under 18.
