Judge orders competency evaluation for alleged Zizian cult leader
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A Maryland federal judge on Thursday ordered a psychiatric evaluation to determine competency to stand trial for Ziz LaSota, the alleged leader of a cultlike group linked to several killings.
U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar granted the request from LaSota’s defense attorney, who cited ramblings from his client at a prior court appearance to question whether LaSota was suffering from a “mental disease,” or if she is able to assist in the defense of the case.
As soon as Bredar entered the courtroom and eased into his chair, LaSota began speaking, saying her attorney Gary Proctor had a “conflict of interest” and later said she was seeking to represent herself. She muttered to her attorneys at points throughout the hearing.
Bredar asked Proctor whether there was evidence that LaSota is suffering from psychiatric problems or was simply displaying “defiant misbehavior … by a completely rational person who’s decided to disrupt the proceedings.”
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