LA GRANDE — The second suspect arrested in connection with a burglary and high-speed car chase in July out of Island City pleaded not guilty on Tuesday, Aug. 23, in Union County Circuit Court to all charges against her.

Jessica Spalinger, 31, of Walla Walla, was arrested on charges of first-degree assault, hit-and-run with injury, recklessly endangering and misdemeanor fleeing from police. The court appointed La Grande attorney James Schaeffer as her counsel.

A Union County grand jury indicted Spalinger and the charges against her changed to first-degree attempted burglary, third-degree assault, recklessly endangering another person, reckless driving and hit-and-run to an injured person. Under Oregon law, a county’s grand jury decides whether to bring criminal charges or an indictment against a potential defendant in cases of serious felonies.

Spalinger, Demus Montez, 36, of Hermiston, and Ashtin Romine, 26, of Clarkston, Washington, were arrested during July in connection to a burglary at Muzzleloader’s and More and subsequent car chase out of Island City. According to law enforcement, the trio fled from the parking lot in a car driven by Spalinger, injuring the business owner’s daughter, Randi Shafer. They were pursued in a high-speed chase where shots were fired at Oregon State Police. The chase ended in Elgin with all three suspects fleeing on foot into the underbrush near Indian Creek.

Earlier this month Montez also pleaded not guilty on all charges against him. He has been charged with attempted murder, first-degree attempted robbery, unlawful use of a weapon, possession of a firearm as a felon, criminal mischief, reckless endangering and misdemeanor fleeing.

The court appointed La Grande attorney J. Logan Joseph to represent Montez, who will be back in court on Sept. 14 for a status check.

Romine, who is represented by court appointed counsel Kathleen Dunn of Canyon City, has waived his right to have his case brought to trial within 60 days of arrest. The court moved his plea hearing from Aug. 24 to Sept. 7.

Romine was arrested for reckless endangering and for misdemeanor and felony fleeing. He was also indicted by the grand jury. His new charges are first-degree attempted burglary, reckless driving, and misdemeanor and felony fleeing

Spalinger will be back in court for a pretrial conference hearing on Sept. 6 and her trial is set to begin on Sept. 14.