The credibility of a defense witness was called into question Monday during the fifth day of testimony in the trial of animal rights activist Zoe Rosenberg, whose case has drawn national attention for its ties to the group Direct Action Everywhere, or DxE.
Carla Cabral, an animal caretaker who examined four chickens taken from a Petaluma Poultry facility in 2023, testified that the birds were in poor health — suffering from diarrhea, lethargy and a bacterial infection — after Rosenberg delivered them to her. Some, she said, were missing feathers, unable to stand and smelled strongly of feces.
“it’s not normal,” Cabral testified.
But much of Monday’s proceedings in Sonoma County Superior Court focused less on the condition of the chickens and more on whether Cabral could be considered an unbiased witness.
Prosecutors rested their case Friday, and Cabral was the defense’s only witness to testify Monday. Deputy District Attorney Matt Hobson began cross-examination by presenting social media images linking Cabral and Rosenberg to prior DxE demonstrations and posts supporting veganism. Defense attorneys objected, arguing they had not received adequate notice that the images would be used and that Cabral could incriminate herself.
Judge Kenneth Gnoss allowed Hobson to show a limited number of posts and proceedings concluded with him giving Cabral the chance to consult an attorney before resuming Tuesday afternoon.
During roughly 45 minutes of questioning, Hobson pressed Cabral on her relationship with Rosenberg and shared activism. One image from a 2022 state Agricultural Committee meeting where Cabral glued her hand to a desk as part of a DxE protest. Hobson said Rosenberg was also present at the demonstration.
He asked whether she was an impartial witness.
“You’re not a completely unbiased witness, are you?” Hobson said.
“I would agree with you,” Cabral replied.
Cabral testified she had been staying at a local vacation rental at Rosenberg’s request to prepare a space in case chickens were delivered.
Rosenberg, who faces a felony conspiracy charge, is accused of entering the Petaluma Poultry facility late at night June 13, 2023, accessing computers and records, and placing GPS trackers on 12 delivery trucks. Prosecutors allege she removed four birds from a trailer while about 50 DxE members rallied outside before several people drove away with the animals in a rented SUV.
Defense attorneys say Rosenberg was attempting to expose animal cruelty at the facility after unsuccessfully trying to report her findings to local law enforcement. They said the four birds appeared to be suffering and have since recovered.
Rosenberg was arrested outside the courthouse in November 2023, shortly after DxE co-founder Wayne Hsiung was sentenced to 90 days in jail and two years’ probation in a similar case involving trespassing and conspiracy. If convicted as charged, she could face a sentence ranging from probation to five years in jail.
DxE ramped up its presence in Sonoma County following Rosenberg’s arrest, backing a ballot measure that sought to ban large-scale poultry and livestock operations — a measure voters overwhelmingly rejected in the November 2024 election. Throughout last year, the group staged demonstrations, blocked delivery trucks, and protested outside grocery stores such as Trader Joe’s to discourage the sale of Petaluma Poultry products.
Cabral is expected to continue her testimony Tuesday afternoon.