Leader of Cultlike Zizians Group Faces Competency Review

The group has been linked to 6 deaths across the country.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 10:01pm

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The leader of the cultlike Zizians group, Jack LaSota, who goes by 'Ziz,' has been ordered to undergo a competency review by a federal judge. LaSota was set to appear in court for a hearing on suppressing evidence from her arrest, but her lawyer argued that she is mentally incompetent to stand trial on a federal gun charge. The Zizians group has been linked to six deaths across the country, though LaSota is not charged with causing any of them.

Why it matters

The competency review raises questions about LaSota's ability to understand the legal proceedings against her and the implications for the ongoing investigations into the deaths linked to the Zizians group. The group's radical beliefs and alleged involvement in multiple homicides have drawn significant public scrutiny.

The details

LaSota's lawyer, Gary Proctor, told the judge that there is reasonable cause to believe LaSota is mentally incompetent due to her inability to follow the court proceedings, including equating being a fugitive with being transgender and accusing a judge of being part of an organized crime ring. The judge granted Proctor's motion for a competency evaluation and said LaSota will be held in federal custody at least while the exam is conducted and a report is prepared.

  • On February 16, 2025, LaSota, Michelle Zajko, and Daniel Blank were arrested after a landowner found them living in box trucks.
  • LaSota's federal trial on a gun charge was originally scheduled for a two-day hearing on March 12, 2026 to determine if evidence should be suppressed.

The players

Jack LaSota

Also known as 'Ziz,' LaSota is the apparent leader of the cultlike Zizians group that has been linked to six deaths across the country. LaSota is facing a federal gun charge and is now ordered to undergo a competency review.

Gary Proctor

LaSota's lawyer who argued that there is reasonable cause to believe his client is mentally incompetent to stand trial.

James Bredar

The U.S. District Court Judge who granted the motion for a competency evaluation and expressed doubt that LaSota's related state trial will proceed as scheduled.

Michelle Zajko

A member of the Zizians group who was arrested along with LaSota and Daniel Blank in February 2025. Authorities have called Zajko a person of interest in the investigation into the deaths of her parents.

Daniel Blank

A member of the Zizians group who was arrested along with LaSota and Michelle Zajko in February 2025. Authorities are investigating Blank's potential involvement in the group's alleged crimes.

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What they’re saying

“Counsel believes there is reasonable cause to believe that the defendant is presently suffering from a mental disease or defect rendering her mentally incompetent to the extent that she is unable to understand the nature and consequences of the proceedings.”

— Gary Proctor, LaSota's lawyer (921wvtk.com)

“I will take your viewpoint into account. I promise you.”

— James Bredar, U.S. District Court Judge (921wvtk.com)

What’s next

The judge ordered that LaSota will be held in federal custody at least while the mental competency exam is conducted and a report is prepared. This could delay the related state trial scheduled for June in western Maryland.

The takeaway

The competency review of the Zizians group leader raises concerns about the group's ability to understand the legal process and the implications for the ongoing investigations into the multiple deaths linked to the group's radical beliefs and activities.