LAS VEGAS, NEVADA: Jesus Ayala, 18, one of the two teens charged for the hit-and-run death of retired police chief Andreas Probst, is reportedly facing a total of 18 new charges, including murder, conspiracy to burglary and stealing a car, the Daily Mail reported.
The list of Ayala's offenses also includes open murder, attempted murder, battery with a deadly weapon, two charges of not stopping at the scene of an accident, and reckless driving.
He has also been charged with three counts of possession of a stolen vehicle, conspiracy to possess and transfer stolen vehicles, two counts of grand larceny of a motor vehicle, two counts of conspiracy to commit grand larceny, burglary of a structure, possession of burglary tools, and conspiracy to commit burglary.
Jzamir Keys, 16, who was in the passenger seat beside Ayala and allegedly filmed the hit-and-run, was arrested on September 19 and is also facing murder charges.
"Both these defendants will be charged with open murder, attempted murder and many other related charges," Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson told the press after the teens appeared in Las Vegas Justice Court on Thursday, September 21.
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What sentence can Jesus Ayala face if convicted?
Ayala, who just turned 18 and was just 17 years old at the time of the fatal hit-and-run, was initially facing a murder charge that was filed in the juvenile system.
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However, the Clark County District Attorney announced earlier this week that he would be charged as an adult. It was also revealed that Ayala had a lengthy record in the juvenile system.
Both the teens were transferred to the Clark County Detention Center on Wednesday, September 20, and will face charges of murder with a deadly weapon, battery, and attempted murder in Las Vegas Justice Court.
As per the New York Post, Ayala and Keys' cases are being carried out separately due to the separate timing of their arrest.
Neither of the teens spoke during their separate court appearances. They were also not asked to enter a plea deal.
Despite Nevada being one of the only 27 US states to permit capital punishment, the death penalty will reportedly not be sought in either of Keys or Ayala's cases, the New York Post reported.
The teens can face anything between 20 years to life in prison if they are convicted before they turn 18, the publication reported.
As Ayala has already turned 18 and is being charged as an adult, it remains to be seen what sentence he is handed if convicted of his crimes.
Prosecutors are reportedly seeking high bail pending trial, with District Attorney Wolfson calling the teens dangers to the community.
"The events in these cases are related. I’m very confident these cases will be consolidated," he said.
Ayala and Keys are both scheduled to appear in court on September 26, where the issue of bail might be addressed, per 8News Now.
However, Wolfson reportedly said that he feels the suspects should remain in custody.
"The determination of whether somebody should remain in custody is based upon whether they’re a flight risk or a danger to the community," he said.
"I believe they’re potentially both. They have certainly proved that they are dangerous," Wolfson added.
What does Nevada law say about death penalty?
Nevada law classifies murder as first and second-degree murder. A first-degree murder charge is given in case of poisoning, lying in wait or torture, or any other willful, deliberate, and premeditated killing.
Meanwhile, second-degree murder is handed for all other kinds of murder, as per The Defenders.
First-degree murder is classified as a Category A felony. A death penalty associated with first-degree murder can only be given if there are one or more aggravating circumstances that outweigh any mitigating circumstances.
Other punishments associated with first-degree murder are imprisonment for life without possibility of parole, life with possibility of parole after 20 years, or 50 years with possibility of parole after 20 years.
Second-degree murder is classified as a Category A felony, with punishments of life with possibility of parole after 10 years; or 20 years with a possibility of parole after 10 years.
The law lays out several aggravating and mitigating circumstances that will be taken into consideration before awarding the maximum sentence.
A death sentence can only be imposed when one or more aggravating circumstances exist, which outweigh the possible mitigating circumstances in the case.
Jesus Ayala told cops he would be 'out in 30 days'
Ayala was reportedly taken into custody on August 14, the day he allegedly killed Probst in the hit-and-run incident. However, he allegedly showed no remorse while being taken into custody.
"You think this juvenile [expletive] is gonna do some [expletive]? I’ll be out in 30 days, I’ll bet you," he told police officers, 8News Now reported.
"It’s just ah, [expletive] ah, hit-and-run — slap on the wrist," Ayala told cops even before they mentioned the hit-and-run to him. Authorities said Ayala was initially being booked for a warrant and obstructing a peace officer.
According to the Daily Mail, officers said that Ayala and Keys were involved in at least three hit-and-run incidents the same day Probst died. They believe Probst's slaying ended the criminal spree of the teens, who also allegedly stole four vehicles that day.
A horrifying video taken from inside the 2016 Hyundai Elantra that hit Probst showed the vehicle approaching the retired cop from behind while he was riding his bike on a bike lane.
The suspects could be heard laughing from inside the car before Probst was struck and thrown against the windshield.
In the video, Ayala could reportedly be heard asking Keys if he was "ready," before the latter agreed and said, "Yeah, hit his a**." The teens also allegedly hit another cyclist, 72, who survived the attack.
Andreas Probst's family mourns loss
Probst's widow Crystal was left furious over the incident that claimed her husband's life.
"It's not just about one victim. We as a nation are victims. We are victims of senseless crimes," she told Fox News.
"We all need to show up and show our outrage in the courtrooms," Crystal added.
Probst's daughter, Taylor, said, "Being around him, it was like being next to a ray of sunshine."
"He was always laughing, always smiling, offering you support, life advice, career advice," she added.
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