Particle.news
Download on the App Store
12 ARTICLES
·
yesterday

Prosecutors Seek Death Sentence for Zizians Member Indicted in Vermont Border Patrol Agent’s Killing

Defense attorneys are contesting the court’s accelerated mitigation schedule even as the Justice Department moves forward with capital charges

Image
FILE - U.S. Border Patrol agent David Maland is recognized with military honors before his burial at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, on Feb. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr, file)
Image
Image

Overview

  • A federal grand jury returned a four-count superseding indictment charging Teresa Youngblut with the murder of Agent David Maland, the assault of two other federal officers and related firearms offenses.
  • Attorney General Pam Bondi authorized pursuit of the death penalty and the Acting U.S. Attorney filed a formal notice of intent to seek capital punishment.
  • Youngblut’s defense team requested a postponement of the July 28 mitigation deadline and challenged the fast-track timeline after their bid for a January extension was denied.
  • Court filings say agents had monitored Youngblut and her companion for days following reports of tactical gear and suspicious behavior and that both were armed when she opened fire.
  • Investigators continue to tie the Vermont shooting to a broader multi-state probe of the Zizians network, involving collaboration among the FBI, DHS, ATF, U.S. Border Patrol and Vermont law enforcement.