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HEBER CITY, Utah (AP) -- A trial is under way in the case of a 23-year-old Utah man who prosecutors say ordered the murder of a 21-year-old woman he thought might be a police informant.
Joshua Binkerd is charged with aggravated murder in the death of Ashley Sparks
Jordanelle State Park officials found Sparks shot four times and near death on Dec. 26, 2008. She died soon after.
Christopher Alvey pleaded guilty to aggravated murder in the case in April 2009. He was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison with the possibility of parole.
Prosecutors said Tuesday that Binkerd told Alvey to kill Sparks.
Defense attorney Edward Jones, though, suggested another man may have actually ordered the killing.
------ Information from: Deseret News
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