Then, the prosecution presented all their evidence. They called just three witnesses: one Sheriff's Deputy and two Perdue employees. Their main evidence was the very video of the rescue that Zoe and DxE posted openly online.
But the most striking part of their testimony wasn’t what they showed — it was what they refused to say.
Perdue’s witnesses were careful to avoid calling things what they are:
- They said birds are “processed” instead of slaughtered.
- They described the pile of discarded organs and other chicken parts that the slaughterhouse churns out as processing water plus material not for human consumption.
- One Perdue witness even stated when pressed, “I cannot call it slaughter.”
This was surprising given that Perdue’s business is built on slaughtering animals. Petaluma Poultry alone slaughters over 10 million animals each year. The refusal of Perdue employees to use the word “slaughter” reveals a deep discomfort with the reality of what happens inside these facilities.
Another surprise was that the prosecution subpoenaed three DxE organizers, including me, to try to force us to testify as rebuttal witnesses after Zoe testifies. Days later, they abruptly dropped my subpoena, underscoring the seeming uncertainty of their case.
On Monday, the defense will begin presenting its case. This case isn’t just about defending Zoe’s compassionate act. It’s about exposing the truth that powerful corporations would rather keep hidden.
