US EditionJudge Allows Members of Zizians Group to Work Together on Defense Ahead of Maryland Trial
Three Zizians members face charges tied to multiple violent incidents and weapons offenses; pretrial motions were heard with their trial set for Feb. 9, authorities said.
- On Jan. 16, 2026, three members of the Zizians—Jack LaSota, Michelle Zajko and Daniel Blank—appeared in Cumberland, Maryland, for a pretrial hearing on trespassing, weapons and drug charges after their arrest in Frostburg, Maryland.
- Authorities say the Zizians are linked to six deaths across the U.S., including a California landlord attack, the deaths of Michelle Zajko’s parents in Pennsylvania, and a Vermont shootout that killed a U.S. Border Patrol agent.
- At the hearing, the defendants filed motions to dismiss and debated defense coordination, while Allegany County Circuit Court Judge Michael Twigg allowed the trio to work together and LaSota accused prosecutors of pressuring them and violating speedy-trial rights.
- With trials upcoming, the group's actions continue to draw multiagency scrutiny; two other Zizians members are awaiting trial in California while logistics for the Feb. 9, 2026 Maryland trial were set Friday.
32 Articles
32 Articles
Members of radical cultlike Zizian group allowed to work together on defense ahead of Maryland trial
Three members of the Zizians, a cultlike group linked to six deaths across the U.S., were granted permission Friday to work together in preparation for their upcoming trial on trespassing, weapons and drug charges.
Michelle Zajko, other members of Zizians attend hearing ahead of Maryland trial
By MARK SCOLFORO and HOLLY RAMER Cumberland, Md. — Three members of the Zizians, a cultlike group linked to six deaths across the U.S. — including the murders of a Delaware County couple — were in court in Maryland on Friday for a hearing ahead of their trial on trespassing, weapons and drug charges. Jack LaSota, former Delaware County resident Michelle Zajko and Daniel Blank are among a group of young, highly intelligent computer scientists dra…
Associated Press News
Judge allows members of Zizians group to work together on defense ahead of Maryland trial
Three members of the Zizians, a cultlike group linked to six deaths across the U.S., have been granted permission to work together for their upcoming trial.
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