Urgent Update: Zizian Cult Defendants Seek New Lawyers Ahead of Trial
BREAKING: A court hearing today in Solano County revealed that Alexander Jeffrey Leatham, one of the defendants connected to the notorious Zizian cult, has filed a motion to dismiss her defense attorney just five weeks before her jury trial begins. The request adds urgency to a case already marked by serious charges, including attempted murder and felony murder.
During the trial confirmation hearing, Judge John B. Ellis presided as Leatham, a 30-year-old transgender woman, expressed her desire to replace her attorney, claiming dissatisfaction with legal representation. This development comes as Leatham and her co-defendant, Suri Dao, 24, face severe allegations stemming from the 2022 attempted murder of a Vallejo landlord, Curtis Allen Lind.
Court records indicate that Lind shot back during the attack, killing their accomplice, Emma Borhanian, who was just 31 years old. Leatham and Dao are charged not only with Borhanian’s death but also with aggravated mayhem and other enhancements related to the violence of the attack.
The urgency of the situation escalated as Leatham’s “Marsden motion” was discussed in Department 22 of the Hall of Justice in Fairfield. Both defendants are currently held without bail in Solano County Jail. Judge Ellis ordered them to return to court on September 18, 2023, at 8:30 a.m. to address Leatham’s motion and other pretrial proceedings, including motions to suppress evidence.
In a shocking twist, the case has garnered even more attention due to the recent murder of 82-year-old Curtis Allen Lind, who was set to testify against them. His death at the hands of another alleged Zizian associate, Maximilian Bentley Snyder, has further complicated the legal landscape for Leatham and Dao. Snyder is also facing serious charges and remains in custody.
The trial is currently scheduled to start on October 21, 2023, and if it proceeds as planned, is expected to last approximately five weeks. As the legal proceedings unfold, the prosecution, led by Deputy District Attorney Ilana Shapiro, is anticipated to file motions opposing continuances, emphasizing the seriousness of these charges and the need for swift justice.
This case is part of a broader investigation into the Zizian cult, which has been linked to multiple violent incidents across the United States, including the tragic deaths of U.S. Border Patrol agents and other violent acts. Recent reports have highlighted the disturbing nature of the cult, which is comprised of individuals with radical beliefs and ties to various criminal activities.
The implications of this case extend beyond the courtroom, raising concerns about the safety of the community and the rising influence of such dangerous groups. The public is urged to stay informed as these developments continue to evolve.
As the judicial process advances, the next few weeks are critical. Observers are closely monitoring the upcoming hearings, and the stakes have never been higher for both defendants and the community affected by this alarming saga.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.
