Filmed Killing a Cop, Still No Trial: The Andreas Probst Murder Case
Two teenagers filmed themselves intentionally running over a retired police chief on his bicycle. They smirked in court. More than two years later, there's still no trial.
On August 14, 2023, two teenagers intentionally ran over retired police chief Andreas Probst as he rode his bicycle in northwest Las Vegas. They filmed it. They hit another cyclist earlier the same day. They filmed that too. More than two years later, they still haven't faced trial.
The Crime
Jesus Ayala (then 17) and Jzamir Keys (then 16) were driving a stolen car when they deliberately struck 66-year-old Andreas "Andy" Probst from behind.
The video, which went viral, shows:
- The car approaching Probst from behind
- Laughter as they accelerate toward him
- The impact as Probst is thrown from his bicycle
- Continued laughter afterward
Probst, a retired Bell, California police chief, died from his injuries.
The Earlier Hit-and-Run
The same day, the same teens filmed themselves striking another cyclist—a 72-year-old man who survived with injuries. This earlier video showed the same pattern: deliberate targeting, filming, and laughing.
In the Courtroom
When the teens appeared in court, their behavior was equally disturbing:
- Video showed them covering their faces with their hands
- They appeared to smirk at each other
- They smiled at the victim's family
Their apparent lack of remorse shocked observers.
The Delays
Despite the overwhelming video evidence and the severity of the crime, the case has dragged on:
- August 2023: Arrests
- 2024: Competency hearings begin
- Multiple trial dates: Set and moved
- December 2024: Ayala found incompetent "out of abundance of caution"
- March 2025: Ayala finally found competent
Both defendants were charged as adults with murder, attempted murder, failing to stop at the scene of a crash, battery, and residential burglary. They have pleaded not guilty.
Why So Long?
The competency proceedings have been the primary cause of delay. Defense attorneys raised questions about whether Ayala could understand the proceedings against him and assist in his own defense.
While competency evaluations are a legitimate legal protection, critics argue the process has been stretched beyond reason for a case with video evidence of a deliberate killing.
The Message
What does it say about our justice system when:
- The crime is captured on video by the perpetrators themselves
- The defendants show no remorse
- An elderly man was murdered
- And still, more than two years later, there's no trial?
For the Probst family, justice delayed is justice denied.