Security system evidence is expected at Jones’ murder trial

HARTINGTON – Prosecutors trying a Laurel man in a quadruple murder case intends to use evidence from the victims’ security system.

Corey O’Brien of the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office filed court documents indicating he intends to use evidence from the security system operating in the Twiford residence during the September trial of 44-year-old Jason Jones.

The notice is required to give Jones’ lawyer, Todd Lancaster of the Nebraska Commission on Public Advocacy, a chance to challenge its trustworthiness.

Prosecutors also filed a motion to endorse another witness in the case - an intelligence analyst at the Nebraska Department of Corrections.

Jones is accused of shooting four Laurel residents — Michele Shankles-Ebeling, Gene Twiford, Janet Twiford and Dana Twiford — and then setting their houses on fire on Aug. 4, 2022.

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 his injuries which makes it hard for him to sit for long periods of time, Jones successfully waived his appearance at his trial.

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty in the case which was moved to Dakota County.

The trial is slated to start Sept. 8 and last about three weeks.