Coventry shooting
The fatal shooting of a border patrol agent in Coventry in January 2025 led VTDigger’s reporters to help uncover a dark network of people known by some as “the Zizians.” Authorities have tied the group to a half-dozen homicides around the country.
Read VTDigger’s reporting
Judge denies bid by suspect’s lawyers in border patrol agent killing to change records screening process
Attorneys for Teresa Youngblut had called on the federal judge overseeing the death penalty case in Vermont to set a new system after what they described as “failures” with the current method.
‘Substantial concerns’: New filing in border patrol agent’s killing challenges law enforcement version of events
“Defense investigation into the veracity and consistency of these accounts is ongoing, but there are reasons to question the accuracy and forthrightness of these law enforcement accounts,” the murder suspect’s attorney wrote.
Zizian member tied to border patrol agent killing in Vermont now charged in the deaths of her own parents
Michelle Zajko, a former resident of the Northeast Kingdom, faces two counts of first-degree murder as well as other criminal offenses, a Pennsylvania prosecutor announced this week.
Teresa Youngblut denies murder charge, other offenses, in fatal shooting of border patrol agent
Youngblut’s appearance Friday afternoon was the first court hearing since prosecutors filed upgraded charges last month against the former Seattle resident, which carry the possibility of the death penalty.
Prosecutors file notice they will seek the death penalty against Teresa Youngblut in border agent killing
Acting U.S. Attorney for Vermont Michael Drescher submitted the court filing Thursday afternoon, hours after a grand jury brought new and upgraded charges, including one for murder.
Judge denies defense’s bid for delay as prosecutors weigh death penalty in border agent’s killing
Attorneys for Teresa Youngblut filed a motion Monday afternoon in response asking the judge to reconsider her ruling.
Maryland judge grants 3 people linked to Zizian group a joint trial
The latest court discussion indicated the cases could be tried together as late as December.
Three linked to Zizians want joint trial
Jack LaSota, Michelle Zajko and Daniel Blank on Tuesday made initial appearances before Allegany County Circuit Court Judge Michael Twigg in Maryland for a variety of recent charges, including misdemeanor gun and felony drug offenses.
Defense seeks more time to convince prosecutors not to seek death penalty against client in Border Patrol killing
Attorneys for Teresa Youngblut have asked a judge to extend a deadline to present evidence to prosecutors as they weigh whether to bring capital crimes in the case.
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