$1 million settlement in civil suit

HARTINGTON – A Laurel woman has been awarded $1 million in damages as part of a wrongful death civil lawsuit involving the murder of her sister. Gail Curry, the personal representative and sister of Dana Twiford, filed the suit against Jason and Carrie Jones in July. Last week, Judge Bryan Meismer entered default judgment in the case. According to the Nebraska Supreme Court, being awarded a judgment does not guarantee collection. Trying to collect the money requires a separate court process, said Janet Wiechelman, Cedar County District Court Clerk, and can include garnishment of a bank account or wages, or execution which is a court order directing the sheriff to seize property for payment toward a debt.