Man Charged in Road Rage Killing to Appear in Court

A Livermore man charged with a road rage killing is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing at 2 p.m. today at Department 703 of the Gale-Schenone Hall of Justice in Pleasanton.

Cort Holbrook, 42, is being held at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin in lieu of a $3 million bail. He is charged in the slaying of of Fremont.

Holbrook and Ziesmer, 48, were involved in a . The defense says the slaying was done in self defense.

Holbrook's lawyer, Eric Schweitzer, previously told Livermore Patch that he suspected Ziesmer may have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol during the fight.

had a criminal history of in several East Bay cities, including Pleasanton, Newark and Hayward, according to court records obtained by Livermore Patch.

In a with Livermore Patch during visiting hours at Santa Jail in Dublin, Holbrook said he is a software programmer, married and a father of two children. He also said he recently graduated from the police citizen's academy.

Alameda County Deputy District Attorney Chris Lamiero previously described Holbrook as "the kind of guy who likes to think of himself as a tough guy."

The incident began on First Street in Springtown.

Holbrook, who was driving his 2003 Chevy Silverado pickup, told police that Ziesmer started the incident by drifting into his lane several times and nearly colliding with him, according to a filed in court by the .

Ziesmer was driving a 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier owned by his girlfriend, of Newark, who was in the passenger seat.

Her account differs.

Morgan said in an with Livermore Patch that Ziesmer merged into a lane on First Street when Holbrook, who was driving behind them, blared his vehicle's horn.

Holbrook and Ziesmer eventually pulled into a downtown parking lot on Old First Street near the and .

During the fight in the parking lot, Ziesmer punched Holbrook in the face, knocking him to the ground, according to the probable cause statement.

After this Ziesmer walked away because he was done proving his point, Lamiero said.

Holbrook then pulled himself off the ground. He reached for his cell phone and attempted to take a picture of Ziesmer to assist police, Schweitzer said.

After Holbrook pulled out his cell phone, Ziesmer charged back toward Holbrook, Schweitzer said.

As the confrontation continued, Holbrook reached into his driver's door compartment, retrieved a dagger and stabbed Ziesmer in the upper chest, according to court records.