Jones murder trial is moved to Dakota County

HARTINGTON – The trial of a Laurel man charged with four counts of murder will be heard in Dakota County.

District Court Judge Bryan Meismer ruled the trial of Jason Jones, 44, Laurel, will change venue due to the amount of publicity in the case in relation to the size of the community involved.

Meismer cited a preliminary jury questionnaire which indicated the case remains fresh in the minds of residents even more than a year later.

Another factor the court considered is that Cedar County already held a jury trial for a major felony case this year which further complicates the task of accumulating a qualified jury pool.

Dakota County was chosen due to its reasonable distance from Cedar County and its similar population. Dakota County also has the appropriate facilities to seat the jury and conduct the trial set for September, Meismer said.

Meismer also ruled on other motions. More information will be coming in next week’s edition.

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against Jones in the deaths of Gene Twiford, Janet Twiford, Dana Twiford and Michele Shankles-Ebeling in Laurel on Aug. 4, 2022.

First responders were called to Shankles-Ebeling’s home around 3 a.m. Aug. 4, 2022, to the report of an explosion and house fire. About five hours later, local law enforcement on scene noticed smoke coming from the Twiford home just a few blocks away.

All of the victims were found to have gunshot wounds.