Zoe Rosenberg Concludes Cross-Examination as Defense Rests in Sonoma County Superior Court; Closing Arguments Expected Monday

Defendant Zoe Rosenberg faces felony conspiracy charge in Sonoma County Superior Court case

Petaluma, Calif. — After three weeks of testimony in the People v. Zoe Louise Rosenberg case, Defendant Zoe Rosenberg took the stand to conclude her cross-examination in Sonoma County Superior Court today, the final witness testimony in the trial before the defense rested their case this afternoon. Closing arguments are set for Monday, and jury deliberations are anticipated to begin Tuesday.

Before Rosenberg returned to the witness stand, a 402 hearing, conducted without the presence of the jury, was held, featuring testimony from Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) leadership, including its Principal Officer, who pleaded the Fifth after asking about their affiliation with the Defendant.

Later in the day under additional cross-examination, Rosenberg, the DxE operative charged with felony conspiracy and misdemeanor burglary and theft charges, made more transgressions: social media content where Rosenberg conceded she “always knew there would be a possibility of getting prosecuted for this case;” memory lapses on where she was prior to arriving at Petaluma Poultry the night of June 13, 2023 to steal chickens; the precarious timing of the thefts the same week as a DxE Animal Liberation Conference; and contradicting statements from Rosenberg and another defense witness, Raven Deerbrook, on where they stayed the night of the break-ins and who was ultimately behind a series of coordinated break-ins to Petaluma Poultry’s processing facility.

“Zoe Rosenberg has admitted to theft, admitted to burglary, and admitted to being part of a broader conspiracy targeting Petaluma Poultry,” said Jennifer Beretta, a spokesperson for the Sonoma County Family Farmers Alliance who is also part of a multi-generational organic farming family. “The level of coordination to pull off the series of break-ins – GPS tracking devices, fake badges, disguises, computer hacking, the illegal transmittal of records, and the theft of chickens – can only be achieved through a well-orchestrated conspiracy. The People have made a strong case – next week, I hope the people on the jury agree and come together to support a conviction on all counts in this case.”

Poultry is part of DxE’s ongoing intimidation campaign to eliminate animal agriculture in Sonoma County. The defendant’s reckless actions include:

• Breaking into chicken houses under cover of darkness to steal livestock, recklessly jeopardizing biosecurity and animal health.

• Accessing company data and privileged information through private computer systems.

• Harassing associates and their families at private residences.

• Disrupting businesses and restaurants across Northern California.

Petaluma Poultry is a recognized leader in free-range and organic poultry, with farms and facilities subject to rigorous audits and government oversight. The company remains united with its associates and neighbors against these illegal tactics and will continue to defend the region’s food supply, the importance of local agriculture, and the future of responsible animal farming.

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Media Contact: rob@muelrathpublicaffairs.com