DAKOTA CITY — A Dakota County jury of seven men and five women last Thursday determined there to be aggravating circumstances in the murders of four Laurel residents by Jason Jones on Aug. 4, 2022, making Jones eligible for the death penalty. The jury deliberated for less than an hour Thursday afternoon before determining the murders were aggravated.
As a result of the jury’s verdicts, District Judge Bryan Meismer will contact the Nebraska Supreme Court, which will appoint additional judges to accompany Meismer in presiding over future proceedings. The panel will determine whether Jones will be sentenced to death or life in prison following a hearing during which the defense will present mitigating evidence.
Jones’ trial was moved from Cedar County after Meismer determined earlier this year that Jones could not receive a fair trial there.
Jones broke into 503 Elm St. on the morning of Aug. 4, 2022, and shot Gene Twiford, 86, and his wife, Janet Twiford, 85; and their daughter, Dana Twiford, 55, before setting the Twiford home on fire. He also broke into the 209 Elm St. home of Michele Ebeling, 53, shot Ebeling and set her home ablaze.
Jones’ next court date won’t be scheduled until after the three-judge panel is assembled and has the chance to review evidence from the jury trial. It likely will be several months before Jones learns his sentence.
Jones' wife, Carrie Jones, 45, is charged with first-degree murder, tampering with evidence and being an accessory to murder. She is accused of pushing her husband to kill Gene Twiford because of sexually charged statements Twiford would direct toward Carrie Jones over a multiple-year period. Carrie Jones’ next hearing is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 25. A trial date has not yet been set in her case.
The defense attorneys in Carrie Jones’ case are also seeking to have her trial moved out of Cedar County.
