Guilty

Jury only needs six hours to decide verdict in Jones' murder trial

DAKOTA CITY — After deliberating for more than six hours, a Dakota County jury on Thursday morning found Jason Jones guilty of four counts of first-degree murder in connection to the Aug. 4, 2022, shooting deaths of four Laurel residents.

The jury was handed the case at 1:40 p.m., Wednesday, and deliberated until about 7:15 p.m., before returning to the Dakota County Courthouse around 7:30 a.m., Thursday. Court staff announced a verdict had been reached around 8:30 a.m., Thursday.

In addition to the four counts of first-degree murder, the jury found Jones, 44, guilty of four counts of use of a firearm to commit a felony and two counts of second-degree arson.

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.

The arson charges were reduced from first-degree arson — the jury determining that the fires were started after the victims were dead.

Later Thursday, the Twiford family provided the following statement: 'We are relieved by today’s conviction and appreciate the hard work of the legal team and law enforcement throughout this process. We would also like to convey our gratitude to the jury for their time and attention in this long process. While this is one step toward justice for our loved ones, we must respect the ongoing investigation and the legal proceedings in the second case (Carrie Jones).

'Our focus remains on healing and honoring our Mother/Grandma, Father/Grandpa and Sister/Aunt, while carrying their love and memories in our hearts every day.'

Prosecutors are pursuing the death penalty against Jones, meaning the jury was tasked with determining whether the murders entailed aggravating circumstances. The same jury listened to evidence Thursday to make their determination.

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.

It is also alleged that Carrie Jones harbored her husband after the killings and disposed of the clothes he was wearing at the time.