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HARTINGTON — Cedar County District Court Judge Bryan Meismer signed three orders July 17 in connection with the July 28 trial of Carrie M. Jones.
The trial will be held in Madison County after a change of venue was granted in the case due to all of the pre-trial publicity the case has generated in Cedar County.
Jones faces four felony charges in connection with the August 2022 deaths of four Laurel residents.
Her husband, Jason Jones, was convicted last September of killing Gene Twiford, his wife, Janet, and their daughter, Dana, as well as Michelle Shankles-Ebeling.
Carrie Jones is accused of aiding and abetting, and tampering with evidence in the Aug. 4, 2022, murders. In the first order, the judge granted a motion allowing Jones to appear at all stages of her trial without handcuffs, leg irons, or other restraints and to wear civilian clothes rather than jail attire. This ensures the defendant will not appear before the jury in a way that might imply guilt.
The second order directed Cedar County Sheriff’s officials to transport Jason Jones Aug. 4 from the Reception and Treatment Center in Lincoln to the Madison County Courthouse to testify for the defense at her trial. After testifying, she is then to be returned to the Lincoln facility.
Finally, the court also approved the release of the jury list and completed juror questionnaires to the defense attorney representing Carrie Jones. This will allow her legal counsel to review potential jurors ahead of the trial.
