A Las Vegas teenager, Jesus Ayala, 19, who made headlines for his role in the brutal death of a retired police chief during a hit-and-run spree last year, has been found incompetent to stand trial. Ayala, who was 17 at the time of the incident, will now be released to a psychiatric facility instead of facing trial for the murder of 64-year-old Andreas Probst, a retired California police chief. The decision, made by a Nevada judge, has sparked outrage among many who were expecting justice for the victim.
The case dates back to August 14, 2023, when Ayala and his accomplice, Jzamir Keys, 17, allegedly stole a car and embarked on a crime spree that ended in the intentional killing of Probst, who was out riding his bicycle in northwest Las Vegas. Ayala, who was behind the wheel of the stolen Hyundai, was caught on video laughing and boasting after the tragic event, which was recorded by his accomplice and later posted on social media.
Ayala and Keys allegedly stole the Hyundai early that morning and took it on a joyride, hitting multiple vehicles and people during their rampage. The two teens recorded their crime spree on a phone, showing no remorse as they laughed and shouted expletives during the attacks. One video, shared widely on social media, shows the moments leading up to Probst’s death.
As the teens approached Probst, who was riding his bicycle along the road, they sped up and aimed the car directly at him. Ayala is heard on the video shouting, “Hit his ass!” before intentionally swerving to strike Probst. The impact sent Probst flying over the car and shattered the windshield. The teens fled the scene, leaving the retired police chief critically injured on the road. Probst was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Shortly after his arrest, Ayala’s lack of remorse was evident. According to reports, he boasted to police officers that he would be out of jail in no time. “You think this juvenile [expletive] is gonna do some [expletive]? I’ll be out in 30 days, I’ll bet you,” Ayala reportedly told officers, unaware of the full extent of the charges against him at the time. “It’s just ah, [expletive] ah, hit-and-run — slap on the wrist.”
Despite his confidence, Ayala was initially held without bail, facing a total of 18 charges, including murder, grand larceny, battery with the use of a deadly weapon, and attempted murder. His passenger, Jzamir Keys, was also arrested and charged with three felonies, including murder.
The case took a shocking turn this week when Judge Christy Craig ruled that Ayala was incompetent to stand trial, following a series of conflicting psychological evaluations. According to court documents, Ayala’s defense argued that he was suffering from potential brain damage, which might impair his ability to understand the charges against him and assist in his own defense.
Two doctors who evaluated Ayala initially found him competent to stand trial, meaning he understood the legal proceedings and could cooperate with his attorney. However, a third doctor disagreed, finding Ayala mentally unfit for trial. This led Ayala’s public defender, David Westbrook, to request that the judge declare him incompetent. Judge Craig sided with Westbrook, ordering that Ayala be sent to one of two state forensic hospitals for treatment.
This decision has sparked frustration among those following the case, particularly given the brutality of the crime and Ayala’s apparent indifference to his actions. Critics of the ruling fear that Ayala may never face the full consequences for his role in Probst’s death, as it remains unclear if or when he will be deemed fit to stand trial.
The Probst family has expressed deep disappointment over the ruling. Probst, a retired California police chief, was described by friends and family as a dedicated public servant who had spent his life protecting others. His senseless death has left a void in the lives of those who knew and loved him.
The public response has been similarly outraged, with many taking to social media to decry the decision to release Ayala to a psychiatric facility instead of pursuing a trial. “This is not justice,” one user wrote. “A man lost his life in a horrible way, and the person responsible gets to avoid trial? Outrageous.”
Proponents of the ruling argue that Ayala’s mental state should be evaluated and treated before he can be tried, ensuring that the legal process is fair. However, the ruling has raised concerns about whether individuals who commit heinous crimes can use mental health issues as a shield from justice.
For now, Ayala will remain in a psychiatric facility until further evaluations are conducted. If he is eventually deemed competent, he may still face trial for the murder of Andreas Probst and the other crimes committed during the hit-and-run spree. However, there is no clear timeline for when or if that might happen.
As Ayala undergoes treatment, the case will continue to draw attention due to its shocking details and the ongoing debate over the use of mental incompetency in criminal cases. For the family of Andreas Probst, the wait for justice continues.