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HARTINGTON – The next trial in a Laurel murder case will likely be heard next summer.
Carrie Jones, 45, her attorneys, and the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office appeared for a court hearing remotely Monday morning and discussed progress in the case.
Jones is accused of first-degree murder, tampering with evidence and being an accessory to murder. Prosecutors say she pushed her husband, Jason Jones, to kill Gene Twiford because of sexually charged statements Twiford directed toward her over several years.
She is also accused of harboring her husband after the murders and disposing of the clothes he was wearing at the time.
Jason Jones was convicted of shooting Twiford, his wife, Janet, and their daughter Dana, along with another Laurel woman, Michele Ebeling, and setting their homes on fire on Aug. 4, 2022.
In September 2024, a jury found him guilty and the crimes aggravated, making him eligible for the death penalty.
His case was moved and tried in Dakota County. Carrie Jones’ lawyers, Nate and Doug Stratton, Norfolk, argued the motion to move her case out of Cedar County last month, citing a “deep and bitter prejudice” from potential juror questionnaires, and widespread media coverage as factors against her receiving a fair trial here.
Although Judge Bryan Meismer hasn’t officially made his ruling granting a change of venue, he’s been working behind the scenes to locate an open courtroom outside of Cedar County to hold the trial. At Monday’s hearing he indicated Carrie Jones’ threeweek trial would likely take place in Madison County in summer 2025.
Carrie Jones’ attorneys said they had depositions scheduled for January and are anticipating pre-trial motions to be heard in the spring.
Another pre-trial date was set for March and a date to hear pre-trial motions in April.
At Monday’s hearing, Carrie Jones waived her rights to a speedy trial.
