The fear within certain rationalist circles about incidents involving LaSota was apparent as news of the violence spread. A member of the Bay Area rationalist community expressed their apprehension in an interview in 2023, stating, “I don’t want Ziz to ever think about me, ever. I believe I know enough to be rightfully scared of Ziz.”
In June, Judge Cappelli decided not to dismiss the charges against LaSota but did reduce the bail to $10,000 unsecured, allowing LaSota to be released by signing a payment pledge. McGarrigle informed the court that LaSota’s mother had traveled from Alaska to ensure her son’s return for all court dates. However, the prosecutor expressed concern about LaSota fleeing, noting the lack of ties to the community, and questioned the likelihood of LaSota attending the next court date in late August.
At the same time, Michelle Zajko contacted her aunt Rosanne for the first time since the burial service for Michelle’s parents in January. Michelle had not attended the memorial mass where Rosanne eulogized Rita and Rick. During the call, Michelle claimed she was not responsible for the murders, disclosed that she knew the identity of the perpetrator, and stated that “LessWrong did it,” insisting that she was being targeted.
Subsequently, the house in Coventry, Vermont, where Michelle had lived with Alice Monday, was sold by the trust that owned it. Michelle and Blank had vacated the property the previous winter, and realtors discovered that the house had not been prepared for winter, resulting in burst pipes. A family member of Blank filed a missing persons report, noting that Blank was last seen in Pennsylvania, wore thick glasses, and had a misaligned eye.
When LaSota appeared in court on the morning of August 21, 2023, the courtroom was filled with defendants awaiting their pleas. After court was called to order, an older woman with gray-blond hair wheeled a slumped LaSota, dressed in flowing black and wearing an industrial N95 respirator mask, into the courtroom. McGarrigle, who approached LaSota at the back, seemed surprised by her appearance and inquired about her health.
As LaSota’s case was called, her mother wheeled her to the front, where LaSota sat passively, staring at the floor. A new prosecutor, who had replaced the previous one, requested a continuance to become familiar with the case details. The judge agreed, rescheduling the trial for December. McGarrigle emphasized for the record that LaSota was present and ready before her mother wheeled her out.
Two months later, a visit to Sonoma County, the site of Westminster Woods and the initial protest, provided further insight into the situation. Sergeant Brian Parks recounted the original arrests during a meeting at a local Starbucks. When asked why his department hadn’t pursued LaSota following her arrest in Pennsylvania despite an open felony warrant, Parks explained that due to being understaffed, there are approximately 75 felony bench warrants they cannot pursue.
In response to information that authorities in Pennsylvania had contacted Sonoma County about taking custody of LaSota, Parks acknowledged some communication occurred but opted not to comment further due to not being fully informed on the details.
