Judge orders defendant to appear on camera

HARTINGTON – A judge won’t make a ruling on whether or not a Laurel man suspected of murder can waive his appearance at his own trial until he can fully advise him of his rights.

In the latest court filing in Cedar County District Court, Jason Jones’ lawyer, Todd Lancaster of the Nebraska Commission on Public Advocacy, indicated Jones has surface burns on more than 40 percent of his body including the lower and upper extremities and his back, which have been covered with skin graphs.

Jones requires the assistance of a wheelchair and only able to walk short distances. Due to his injuries, it is difficult for Jones to sit upright for long periods of time and to concentrate, Lancaster said.

He has not appeared in person in Cedar County District Court for any of the proceedings, only appearing once through video conferencing. He has waived his right to appear for those instances.

He did not appear for a hearing through videoconference last week so Cedar County District Court Judge Bryan Meismer rescheduled the pretrial conference in the case for Monday, July 1. Jones must appear for that hearing from the Nebraska Department of Corrections via videoconference.

In his motion to waive appearance, Lancaster cited case law in which the defendant’s identity may be used in photographs at trial.

In those instances where a defendant does not appear personally, the jury should be informed not to draw any conclusions about the absence, Lancaster said. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against Jones in the deaths of his neighbors 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 in Laurel, 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.

Jones was apprehended at his home the morning after the murders with severe burns over his body and was treated at a Lincoln hospital for several weeks before being released to the Nebraska Department of Corrections.

Due to pre-trial publicity and other factors, Jones’ September trial has been moved to Dakota County.

At the 20-minute hearing last week, Prosecutor Corey O’Brien said he would supply the names of additional witnesses to be included in supplemental jury questionnaires.

The Dakota County District Court Clerk will send out 220 questionnaires with the hopes of returning 180 potential jurors for jury selection.

The parties briefly discussed other procedural matters, however, those items will be made into formal motions to be considered by the court at the July 1 hearing date.

Jones’ wife, Carrie, is also accused of the murder of Gene Twiford, tampering with evidence and being an accessory to a felony. She appeared in Cedar County District Court Monday.

While Jason Jones is considered the principal offender, under Nebraska statutes, Carrie Jones can be found guilty as well if she aided and encouraged him to carry out the killing, according to the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office.