The attorney of a woman charged as an accomplice in a robbery of a Gilby, N.D., bank wants his client to receive a trial separate from one of the men accused of actually holding up the bank.
Prosecutors say Debra Jensen bought a shotgun at Wal-Mart in Grand Forks on May 25, the day before the robbery, and gave it to William Collins, who used it to threaten a teller during the heist, which netted more than $50,000.
In a court filing, Jensen's attorney, Robert Hoy, argues the indictment in the case does not allege a scheme that includes all the defendants and that trying them together will make it more difficult for Jensen to be acquitted.
Jensen, 47, Grand Forks, and Collins, 47, Nashville, Tenn., are set for trial Aug. 24 in Grand Forks' federal courthouse.
Prosecutors estimate the trial would last four to five days and expect to call about 35 witnesses to testify and show surveillance videos.
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A federal judge ruled that Collins' alleged partner in the robbery, Clifton Patterson, is incompetent to stand trial. Patterson has been ordered to receive mental-health treatment after which his prognosis is to be re-evaluated.
