Two members of the Zizians, a radical vegan cult led by a modern-day Charles Manson figure, caused chaos during their court hearing this week. Alexander Leatham, 30, and Suri Dao, 23, both transgender individuals, appeared in court in Solano County, California, for the attempted murder of 82-year-old Curtis Lind with a samurai sword.
During the hearing, Leatham went on a frenzied rant, accusing Lind of murdering Emma Borhanian. On the other hand, Dao, who uses they/them pronouns, had to be wheeled into the courtroom in a wheelchair due to their deteriorating health from anorexia. Their lawyer described them as “vegetative” and mentioned their significant weight loss.
The court hearing was adjourned to December 8th, as the pair’s next appearance. This was not the first time Leatham and Dao created a scene in court. In a previous hearing, Leatham claimed she was being forcibly de-transitioned with hormone therapy as part of a conspiracy against trans individuals.
The trio, including Borhanian, had been squatting on Lind’s property when he confronted them to leave. Lind was attacked while inspecting a leak in Dao’s trailer and was left with numerous stab wounds from the Zizians. Despite the ordeal, Lind managed to defend himself, injuring Leatham and killing Borhanian in self-defense.
The court is working to consolidate Dao and Leatham’s cases and set a trial date, despite Leatham’s disruptive behavior. Another Zizian, Maximilian Snyder, faces a separate homicide charge for allegedly murdering Lind to prevent him from testifying against Leatham and Dao.
The Zizians’ violent activities extend beyond California, with ties to six deaths in three states. The alleged founder, Jack “Ziz” LaSota, is portrayed as a modern-day Charles Manson, with followers linked to various crimes. Last year, Snyder’s fiancé, Teresa “Milo” Consuelo Youngblut, and German national Felix “Ophelia” Bauckholt fatally shot federal agent David Maland near the Canadian border in Vermont.
The weapons used in the attack were purchased by another Zizian, Michelle Zakjow, who was wanted in connection with the fatal shooting of his parents in Pennsylvania. Zakjow, along with fellow Zizian Daniel Blank and Ziz herself, were arrested in Delaware on charges of trespassing and obstructing. Despite suspicions of involvement in his parents’ murder, evidence has not been provided to support the arrest.
The Zizians’ trail of violence continues to unfold, with ongoing legal proceedings and investigations into their criminal activities.
