Preliminary Hearing Delayed in Zizian Follower's Murder Case

Maximilian Bentley Snyder's defense attorneys cite scheduling conflicts in motion to continue proceedings.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 11:14pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a bloodied knife blade, lit by a harsh camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the violent crime at the center of this investigation.A harsh flash illuminates a key piece of evidence, exposing the grim details behind a complex criminal investigation.Vallejo Today

A 24-year-old man charged with the 2025 killing of an elderly Vallejo resident appeared in Solano County Superior Court, where a judge agreed to delay the next step in his case. Maximilian Bentley Snyder, a follower of the 'Zizian' group, pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from the fatal stabbing of 82-year-old Curtis Lind. Snyder's defense attorneys cited scheduling conflicts with another homicide trial involving co-counsel Dustin Gordon as the reason for the continuance.

Why it matters

The Zizian group has been linked to several crimes across multiple states, including a previous attack on the victim that resulted in another member's death. The delay in Snyder's preliminary hearing is likely to prolong the legal process and keep the broader investigation into the group's activities in the spotlight.

The details

Snyder appeared in court on Monday, where his attorney Terry A. Ray filed a motion to continue the preliminary hearing originally scheduled for April 21. Ray argued the delay is needed to allow co-counsel Dustin Gordon, who is currently in another homicide trial, to be present for the two-day preliminary hearing. Judge John B. Ellis agreed to the continuance and ordered Snyder and the attorneys to return on April 21, at which time a new date in early September will be set.

  • Snyder pleaded not guilty in March 2025 to charges stemming from the January 17, 2025 fatal stabbing of Curtis Lind.
  • Snyder was arrested in January 2025 in connection with Lind's death.
  • The preliminary hearing was originally scheduled for April 21, 2026.
  • The judge ordered Snyder and the attorneys to return to court on April 21, 2026 to set a new date in early September 2026.

The players

Maximilian Bentley Snyder

A 24-year-old man charged with the 2025 killing of an elderly Vallejo resident and a follower of the 'Zizian' group.

Terry A. Ray

Snyder's defense attorney who filed the motion to continue the preliminary hearing.

Dustin Gordon

Snyder's co-counsel who is currently in another homicide trial and unable to be present for the original April 21 preliminary hearing date.

John B. Ellis

The judge presiding over the case who agreed to the continuance.

Curtis Lind

The 82-year-old Vallejo resident who was fatally stabbed in January 2025, allegedly by Snyder.

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What they’re saying

“The delay is needed under the Fifth and Sixth Amendments of the Constitution, which provide fundamental protections for individuals within the criminal justice system, and California Penal Code 1050, which governs the scheduling and continuation of criminal proceedings.”

— Terry A. Ray, Snyder's defense attorney

“Gordon said he cannot be ready by April 21 due to his current trial.”

— Dustin Gordon, Snyder's co-counsel

What’s next

The judge ordered Snyder and the attorneys to return to court on April 21, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. in Department 23, Room 204, at which time a new date for the preliminary hearing will be set sometime in early September 2026.

The takeaway

The delay in Snyder's preliminary hearing is likely to prolong the legal process and keep the broader investigation into the Zizian group's activities in the spotlight, as authorities believe several crimes in multiple states may be connected to the group.