Activist or criminal? Jury hears opening arguments in East Bay woman's trial over poultry farm break-ins

"Opening statements began Monday in the Sonoma County trial of animal activist Zoe Rosenberg, whose defense hinges on whether jurors see her actions as a moral rescue or a criminal conspiracy. Rosenberg, 23, faces one felony conspiracy count and three misdemeanors stemming from a series of incursions at a Petaluma Poultry facility between April and June 2023. Her case, overseen by Judge Kenneth Gnoss, is expected to last much of October and has drawn national attention because of her ties to Direct Action Everywhere, or DxE, an animal rights group known for aggressive demonstrations at farms and grocery stores."

"Deputy District Attorney Jessalee Mills told jurors the case will show "activism that crosses the line into criminal conduct." "This case is not about what Miss Rosenberg believes; it's about what she did," Mills said. "And what she did was illegal.""

"Prosecutors allege she entered the facility on Lakeville Highway late at night, accessed computers and records, and placed GPS trackers on 12 delivery trucks. On June 13, they say, she removed four birds from a trailer while about 50 DxE members rallied outside before several drove away with the animals in a rented SUV."

Opening statements began in the Sonoma County trial of 23-year-old Zoe Rosenberg, charged with one felony conspiracy count and three misdemeanors after incursions at a Petaluma Poultry facility between April and June 2023. Prosecutors allege nighttime entry, access to computers and records, placement of GPS trackers on 12 delivery trucks, and removal of four birds during a June rally when several participants drove away with the animals in a rented SUV. The prosecution frames the acts as criminal conduct and disruption of a lawful business. The defense says Rosenberg documented alleged cruelty, contacted law enforcement, and removed suffering birds as a rescue. The trial is overseen by Judge Kenneth Gnoss and is expected to last much of October, drawing national attention due to ties with Direct Action Everywhere (DxE).

Read at The Mercury News