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June 12, 2025: Two Men Charged With Murder of U.S. Marine Peter Chounthala
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If convicted as charged, cousins Damari Kensey and Jaymel Williams each faces up to life in state prison
BELLFLOWER, CA – Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced today that two men have been charged with murder in the 2024 killing of Peter Chounthala, an active-duty U.S. Marine who was assaulted and left in the middle of a Bellflower roadway, where he was struck by a passing vehicle.
“This brutal and senseless act took the life of a husband, father and Marine who served our country with honor, including tours in Afghanistan and multiple Marine expeditionary units,” District Attorney Hochman said. “We will not tolerate this violence in our communities. I want to thank the dedicated detectives of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for their outstanding work apprehending the suspects. Our office will diligently prosecute this case.”
Damari Kensey (dob 7/3/03) of Long Beach and Jaymel Williams (dob 7/15/96) of Inglewood, who are cousins, are each charged with one count of murder in case 25BFCF00389. The defendants were arraigned on June 4 and June 9, respectfully, and entered not guilty pleas. A preliminary hearing setting is scheduled for June 18 in Department J of the Norwalk Courthouse. Bail was set at $2 million for each defendant.
On May 28, 2024, shortly before 2 a.m., Peter Chounthala was leaving a bar in Bellflower when the defendants allegedly followed him outside and violently beat him. The assault left Chounthala lying in the middle of Artesia Boulevard, in active lanes of traffic. A vehicle struck him shortly afterward. The driver did not stop and has not been identified. Chounthala died at the scene.
If convicted as charged, each defendant faces a maximum sentence of life in state prison.
The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Cindy Park of the Norwalk Branch Office and was investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
The charges filed in this case are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
