People gather to mourn slain Iowa newborns

HUXLEY (AP) — About three dozen people gathered in central Iowa to mourn the deaths of two newborns. Police say the twin girls were killed by their mother.

Many of the mourners know Jackie Burkle, who has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder. Officers found the twins’ bodies Jan. 7 in the trunk of Burkle’s car in Huxley.

She remains in custody, pending bail of $1 million. Her lawyer has not returned calls seeking comment.

Amy and Scott Ashby drove an hour from Iowa Falls on Sunday to join the mourners in Huxley. They knew Burkle from their years in Alden, where all three had lived.

Amy Ashby says “the Jackie that we grew up with is not the Jackie that would have ever done this.”