.jpg)
Jason Jones to learn his fate this week
HARTINGTON — Jason Jones will learn Friday whether he will spend the rest of his life in prison or be sentenced to death for the 2022 killings of four Laurel residents.
A three-judge panel — District Court Judges Bryan Meismer, Patrick Heng and Timothy Burns — is scheduled to meet at the Cedar County Courthouse Friday afternoon to determine Jones’ sentence for the Aug. 4, 2022, murders.
Under Nebraska law, the panel must be unanimous to impose the death penalty.
If the judges do not reach a unanimous decision, Jones will receive four life sentences without parole, along with up to 208 additional years for firearm and arson convictions. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 10.
Friday’s decision will close a long, gruesome chapter in Cedar County history.
Jones was convicted of killing Gene Twiford, 86; Janet Twiford, 85; Dana Twiford, 55; and Michele Ebeling, 53, during a series of attacks at two Laurel homes in the early-morning hours of Aug. 4. He then set fire to both homes after the shootings in an attempt to destroy evidence.
The judges heard evidence and arguments from both the prosecution and defense during sentencing proceedings last fall.
The case has also involved Jones’ wife, Carrie Jones, 46, who was convicted in August for aiding and abetting in the killing of Gene Twiford.
Prosecutors alleged she encouraged the killing following a series of alleged inappropriate comments made to her by Gene Twiford over several years.
She was sentenced in August to life in prison plus 21 to 30 years. Evidence presented at trial showed Carrie Jones sheltered her husband after the attacks while he was suffering from burns and initially did not disclose his involvement to law enforcement.
She also disposed of clothing and boots he had worn during the crimes, items investigators were never able to recover.
Testimony established the events began the afternoon of Aug. 3, 2022, following an argument at the Jones residence.
After Carrie Jones left for work, Jason Jones traveled to Sioux City, where he purchased fuel containers and other items before returning to Laurel.
He later filled the containers with gasoline.
Shortly after 3 a.m., on Aug. 4, Jones broke into the Twifords’ home on Elm Street and shot Gene, Janet and Dana Twiford. He then spread gasoline throughout the residence and set it on fire. During the process, Jones caught fire himself and fled outside before returning home.
Jones then retrieved another firearm from his residence and went to a second home on Elm Street belonging to Michele Ebeling. As he attempted to enter through the back door, Ebeling opened it. Jones shot her and then set the home on fire, again igniting himself on fire in the process.
Following the second fire, Jones left the scene and returned home as neighbors began to notice the blaze. Emergency responders were dispatched after a nearby resident reported what appeared to be an explosion at Ebeling’s home.
While authorities were still investigating that scene later in the morning, a passerby alerted Laurel Police Chief Ron Lundahl to smoke coming from the Twifords’ residence down the street.
First responders then discovered the three shooting victims inside.
Testimony also indicated Carrie Jones had expressed negative views about Ebeling and her fiancé prior to the killings. The fiancé was working and was not home at the time of the murders.
