Jury trials set for couple accused of armed robberies

Victoria Asta appears in 1st District Court for a pretrial conference, Tuesday in Logan, Utah. Asta is being charged with aggravated robbery and burglary as well as other charges after she led police on a high speed chase.

LOGAN — A judge has scheduled two separate jury trials for a couple suspected in at least eight burglaries throughout Cache County last year.

Douglas L. Birkinbine and Victoria Asta each made separate appearances in 1st District Court Tuesday morning. Birkinbine has been charged with 39 felonies and 13 misdemeanors, while Asta faces four felonies and three misdemeanors. The offenses range from aggravated robbery and burglary, assaulting a police officer, failing to stop at the command of police and other charges.

Birkinbine appeared first. His public defender, Shannon Demler told the court, they had been unable to work out a resolution with prosecutors and asked for a week long jury trial.

Asta appeared second. Her attorney, Kyler Ovard told the court they also had not been able to work out a complete resolution. He asked for a three-day jury trial to be scheduled after Birkinbine’s.

Birkinbine and Asta are suspected of robbing a home in Paradise at gun point and later leading deputies on a high speed chase that ended in Logan on November 17. Both of them remain in the Cache County Jail without bail.

Judge Cannell set Birkinbine’s trial to begin August 8 and Asta’s to begin August 31.

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