First legal defense bill is submitted in Laurel murder case
HARTINGTON — Attorneys for a Laurel woman accused of murder have filed their first invoice and request for reimbursement in the case.
Doug and Nate Stratton, father-son lawyers from Norfolk, requested $33,127.77 for their work so far defending Carrie Jones, 44, for her alleged involvement in a quadruple homicide in Laurel in August 2022.
Gene Twiford, Janet Twiford, Dana Twiford and Michele Shankles-Ebeling died Aug. 4, 2002. First responders were called to Shankles-Ebeling’s home at 209 Elm St., Laurel, around 3 a.m. 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. Although the presence of smoke didn’t appear for several hours, evidence suggests the Twiford fire actually started first.
All of the victims were found to have gunshot wounds.
Jason Jones, 43, Laurel, 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 Oct. 27, 2022, to the Nebraska Department of Corrections.
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty and he’s charged with four counts of murder and arson among other weapons charges.
His wife, Carrie Jones, was arrested in December and faces one murder charge for her alleged involvement in the death of Gene Twiford, as well as aiding and abetting, and tampering with evidence for her alleged role in the other murder cases.
The Strattons itemized their services and other expenses they’ve incurred since their appointment Dec. 19, 2022 in a 17page document filed last week in Cedar County District Court. Legal services such as appearing for hearings, meeting with Jones at the Antelope County Jail where she is being housed, and reviewing documents totaled $32,485.25. There were a handful of charges that were written off at a 100 percent discount that totaled $321.50.
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Other expenses incurred included searching court records and mileage, amounting to $642.52, to arrive at the total amount being requested of $33,127.77.
Judge Bryan Meismer approved a billable hourly rate at $145 per hour for Doug Stratton and $95 per hour for Nate Stratton.
The bill for legal services will put the tally of costs related to the murder cases at almost $200,000 so far.
The largest expense has been more than $124,000 paid to the security firm that guarded Jason Jones while he was at the hospital recovering from burn injuries.
Housing costs continue to be received by the sheriff’s office - $50 per day for Carrie Jones to be incarcerated in Antelope County and $90 per day for Jason Jones’ incarceration at the Nebraska Department of Corrections.
The county’s cost in the Jason Jones case will be minimized due to him being represented by Todd Lancaster of the Nebraska Commission on Public Advocacy. The commission, formed by statute in 1995, is funded entirely through court fees with no taxpayerfunded monies. The commission was created for the purpose of providing property tax relief to counties required to provide legal representation to indigent defendants charged with firstdegree murder and serious violent or drug-related felonies.
Both cases are being prosecuted by the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office.
Costs related to the Laurel murder cases will be paid through the county’s inheritance fund, said County Clerk Dave Dowling.