Leader of Cultlike Zizians Group Faces Competency Review

Group has been linked to 6 deaths across the country

Mar. 12, 2026 at 10:08pm

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A lawyer representing the leader of the cultlike Zizians group, which has been linked to six deaths, told a judge that there is reason to believe his client is mentally incompetent to stand trial on a federal gun charge. The judge granted a motion for a competency evaluation and said the leader, Jack LaSota, will be held in federal custody while the exam is conducted.

Why it matters

The Zizians group has been the focus of multiple homicide investigations across the country, raising concerns about the group's radical beliefs and potential for violence. The competency review of the group's apparent leader could impact the ongoing legal proceedings and investigations.

The details

LaSota, who goes by "Ziz" and is a transgender woman, was supposed to be in federal court for a hearing on whether to suppress evidence collected from her arrest in Frostburg, Maryland last year. Instead, the judge granted a motion for a competency evaluation after LaSota's lawyer said she has demonstrated an inability to follow proceedings, equating being a fugitive with being transgender and accusing a judge of being part of an organized crime ring. LaSota, Michelle Zajko and Daniel Blank were arrested last February after a landowner found them living in box trucks. They face state charges of trespassing and illegal gun and drug possession, while LaSota faces a federal gun charge.

  • LaSota was arrested in Frostburg, Maryland in February 2025.
  • LaSota's federal trial on a gun charge was supposed to begin this week.
  • LaSota's state trial in western Maryland is currently set for June 2026.

The players

Jack LaSota

The apparent leader of the cultlike Zizians group, who goes by the name "Ziz" and is a transgender woman. She has been charged with a federal gun crime and is facing a competency review.

Gary Proctor

The lawyer representing LaSota, who filed the motion seeking a competency evaluation for his client.

U.S. District Court Judge James Bredar

The judge who granted the motion for a competency evaluation and said LaSota will be held in federal custody while the exam is conducted.

Michelle Zajko

One of LaSota's associates who was arrested along with her and Daniel Blank, and is considered a person of interest in the deaths of her parents.

Daniel Blank

One of LaSota's associates who was arrested along with her and Michelle Zajko, and is under investigation for his potential involvement in the deaths linked to the Zizians group.

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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, Attorney for Jack LaSota (cbsnews.com)

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

— Judge James Bredar (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

The judge said LaSota will be held in federal custody at least while the mental competency exam is conducted and a report is prepared. The judge also expressed doubt that LaSota's scheduled state trial in June will proceed as planned due to the federal court's finding.

The takeaway

The competency review of the Zizians group's apparent leader raises questions about the group's stability and mental state, which could impact the ongoing legal proceedings and investigations into the multiple deaths linked to the group's radical beliefs and potential for violence.