Second defendant admits guilt in retired officer’s killing

Summary

A second defendant, 18-year-old Jzamir Keys, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on Tuesday in the 2023 killing of 66-year-old Andreas Probst, a retired police chief from Bell, California. Prosecutors allege Keys and co-defendant Jesus Ayala, then teenagers, deliberately struck Probst with a vehicle on 14 August 2023 while he rode his bicycle near Centennial Parkway. Authorities say Keys recorded video of the pair laughing and plotting to hit Probst. A week earlier Ayala, 20, also pleaded guilty to second-degree murder; that plea carries a sentence of 20 years to life.

Key Points

Jzamir Keys pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in connection with the Aug 14, 2023 hit-and-run that killed Andreas Probst.
Prosecutors say Keys and Jesus Ayala deliberately struck the 66‑year‑old retired police chief while he was cycling near Centennial Parkway.
Authorities reported Keys recorded video showing the two men laughing and plotting to hit Probst.
Jesus Ayala pleaded guilty to second-degree murder a week earlier; that charge carries a 20‑years‑to‑life sentence.
Both guilty pleas mark major developments in a high‑profile local homicide case; sentencing and further court actions are expected.

Content Summary

On 14 August 2023, Andreas Probst was riding his bicycle when he was struck in what prosecutors describe as a deliberate hit-and-run. Investigators allege that Keys and Ayala targeted Probst and that Keys recorded the event and their prior conversations. Keys has now admitted guilt to second-degree murder; Ayala had pleaded guilty earlier. The case is moving forward toward sentencing and further judicial proceedings.

Context and Relevance

This case drew attention because the victim was a retired police chief and because evidence presented by prosecutors included video the defendants reportedly recorded. The pleas close gaps in the investigation and shift focus to sentencing and the legal consequences the men will face. For readers interested in criminal justice, community safety and how prosecutorial evidence shapes outcomes in violent‑crime cases, this is directly relevant.

Why should I read this?

Short version: two young men have just admitted to killing a retired police chief — with video evidence that prosecutors say shows it was deliberate. If you follow local court news or care about how violent crimes are prosecuted and sentenced, this one’s worth a quick read.

Author style

Punchy: This isn’t a routine traffic tragedy — it’s a criminal case with alleged planning and recorded evidence. The guilty pleas speed the story toward sentencing and make the legal consequences imminent. Read the details if you want the clearest picture of what happened and what comes next.