A 21-year-old woman charged in connection with a deadly shooting involving the U.S. Border Patrol in January is requesting a six-month postponement in the government’s decision regarding the death penalty.
Theresa Young Brute, linked to a group that seems to operate like a cult known as “Gijian” or “Ziz,” is accused of fatally shooting Border Patrol Agent David C. Mullan during a traffic stop in Vermont on January 20th.
The Zizians, who describe themselves as vegan, pro-transgender, and anti-government, are reportedly connected to the murders of six individuals across three states.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondy instructed federal prosecutors to pursue the death penalty unless there are “serious mitigation circumstances” in cases involving the killing of law enforcement officers.
She referred to Mullan’s death as an instance where no significant mitigating factors were found.
Young Brute’s defense argues that her case is being accelerated by a memo from the Attorney General on February 5 directing federal prosecutors.
Earlier last month, her attorneys were told to prepare for a meeting with the Attorney General’s Capital Cases Review Board on July 28 to discuss why the death penalty should not be pursued.
In a motion filed recently, her legal team claimed the government has set an “insufficient” and “very rushed” timeline for presenting mitigation evidence for review.
“With the July 28 deadline looming, the defense risks missing not just certain parts of the evidence but also key aspects of Young Brute’s life that could serve as important mitigating factors,” they stated.
Young Brute has been accused of using deadly weapons against law enforcement and of having firearms during these incidents, although her attorney believes these charges do not warrant the death penalty.
Her defense team contends that they need more time to compile evidence, asserting the average duration between indictment and these review meetings is about 15 months.
“The government’s timeline is likely to render Young Brute’s compliance essentially meaningless,” Bath and Steltzig expressed.
One of her attorneys mentioned limited preparation time, pointing out that new lawyers would join the defense team on June 12 after the initial lawyer withdrew.
They are asking the court to extend the deadline to January 30, 2026, arguing that any decision on the death penalty should wait until mitigation evidence is fully assessed.
The federal affidavit claims Young Brute shot Mullan in Coventry, Vermont, after a swift encounter that involved her driving alongside fellow Ziz member Felix Buckholt.
This incident led to a shootout that resulted in the deaths of both Border Patrol agents and civilians, according to the affidavit.
Days prior to the shooting, authorities had spotted Young Brute and Buckholt dressed in tactical gear while carrying firearms, as reported by WCAX.
Young Brute and Buckholt are said to follow Jack Lasota, a transgender individual known as Ziz.
Members of Ziz are reportedly connected to incidents leading up to their own deaths, including an attack that resulted in the killing of a California landlord.
Michelle Zaico, arrested in Maryland, faces charges of supplying weapons to Young Brute.
Lasota was arrested alongside Zaico on weapons and drug charges, as well as being labeled an armed fugitive.
Meanwhile, Maximilian Snyder, charged with the murder of the landlord, has reportedly sought a marriage license with Young Brute.
