Prosecutors certify discovery in murder cases
HARTINGTON – Prosecutors have turned over documents as part of the discovery process in the Laurel quadruple homicide cases.
The Nebraska Attorney General’s Office filed notice last week that they have complied with discovery and listed documents provided to defense council for Jason Jones and his wife, Carrie Jones. The Joneses are accused of murder and other charges in the deaths of Gene Twiford, Janet Twiford, Dana Twiford and Michele Shankles-Ebeling in August 2022.
The list of discovery items include investigative reports, images, lab reports, ballistic evaluation reports, among others.
The state also motioned the court to endorse additional Nebraska State Patrol witnesses in Jason’s case. That motion will be heard before Judge Bryan Meismer at the next court date in January.
Carrie’s case will be taken up by the court next week for a pre-trial conference.
First responders were called to Shankles-Ebeling’s home at 209 Elm St., Laurel, around 3 a.m. Aug. 4, 2022, 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 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 2022 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.
In other court news: – A warrant was issued for Ross Wiebelhaus, 26, Sturgis, S.D., on suspicion of possession of a deadly weapon by a felon and operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest after he was initially confronted about entering the South Shore Area of Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area without a park permit. Wiebelhaus, who had an outstanding warrant for absconding parole in South Dakota, fled in a vehicle and law enforcement pursued him. At times during the chase, Wiebelhaus’ speed reached more than 100 mph, according to court documents, and forced other traffic to take evasive actions to avoid being struck by the vehicle. After about 15 minutes of being pursued, Wiebelhaus’ vehicle went into a ditch and became stalled on a mound of dirt. At that time, he fled from he vehicle on foot. A loaded 12-gauge flare gun was found in a search of the vehicle.
– County Court Judge Sara Bauer found enough probable cause to bound a case against Joseph Grant, 30, Concord, over to Cedar County District Court. A preliminary hearing was held earlier this month. Grant is accused of multiple felonies after he allegedly threatened a Laurel man with a knife and exhibited stalking behavior toward a woman.