Courtroom tensions flare as ‘Zizian’ cult murder case nears trial

Accusations of “misconduct” and ulterior motives flew across the courtroom aisle on Wednesday in the high-profile “Zizian” murder case when prosecutors accused the defense of intentionally delaying proceedings ahead of trial.

“I have serious concerns that the defense is trying to delay this trial,” attorney Ilana Shapiro of the Solano County District Attorney’s Office told the judge.

Prosecutors accused the defense of filing “untimely motions” to continue that day’s hearing to dismiss the case, suggesting that they had ulterior motives to continue the overall trial.

The prosecution argued it had “the right to a speedy trial” and said it had several concerns with the defense’s recent motions to continue, including that the trial has already been pushed back multiple times, the prosecution’s star witness was killed in January by one of the defendants’ friends, and their key back-up witness is losing his memory.

“I have a witness at the age of 80, who I am concerned that, if alive, will not be medically well enough to testify at trial,” Shapiro stated.

The two defendants, Alexander Leatham and Suri Dao, belong to a group called the “Zizians,” a loose, cult-like organization of radical vegans and computer savants who claim AI is a danger to humanity and are currently linked to six killings across the country.

Read more: Courthouse News Service