Jury deliberates fate of Berkeley activist accused of raiding Petaluma poultry plant, taking 4 chickens

"A Sonoma County jury began deliberations Tuesday in the case of a Berkeley animal activist accused of trespassing at a Petaluma poultry facility and taking four chickens during a series of incursions two years ago. Attorneys for 23-year-old Zoe Rosenberg and prosecutors from the Sonoma County District Attorney's Office delivered closing arguments after a three-week trial that centered on Rosenberg's intent during the June 13, 2023, incident at Petaluma Poultry."

"Prosecutors said Rosenberg's goal was to promote her organization, Direct Action Everywhere, or DxE, rather than rescue suffering animals. Her attorneys countered that she sincerely believed the chickens were being mistreated and acted out of compassion, not publicity. "This is about Zoe Rosenberg's sincere belief birds were suffering at a slaughterhouse," defense attorney Chris Carraway told jurors. Rosenberg faces one felony conspiracy charge and three misdemeanors tied to multiple trespassing incidents at the facility between April and June 2023."

"Prosecutors allege Rosenberg entered Petaluma Poultry on May 21 and June 13, searched company files, and attached GPS tracking devices to vehicles before taking four birds. In his closing argument, Deputy District Attorney Matthew Hobson questioned Rosenberg's claims that the chickens were in distress, noting her defense team offered little evidence beyond testimony from fellow DxE members. "There was no neutral party in this process. None," Hobson said, arguing any injuries to the birds were likely caused by their sudden removal."

A Sonoma County jury began deliberations in the case of 23-year-old Zoe Rosenberg, accused of trespassing and taking four chickens from Petaluma Poultry during multiple incursions between April and June 2023. Prosecutors allege Rosenberg entered the facility, searched company files, attached GPS tracking devices to vehicles and removed birds, arguing the actions aimed to promote Direct Action Everywhere and coincided with the group's annual conference. Defense attorneys maintain Rosenberg sincerely believed the chickens were mistreated and acted out of compassion rather than for publicity. Rosenberg faces one felony conspiracy charge and three misdemeanor trespass counts; intent was central to closing arguments.

Read at The Mercury News