Quadruple murder case in Laurel heads to Cedar County District Court

HARTINGTON, Neb. -- Monday kicked off the first day of pre-trials for both Jason and Carrie Jones. 

The Laurel couple is being charged with quadruple homicide. Carrie is being charged in the shooting death of 86-year-old Dene Twiford in Laurel in August of last year. Carrie Jones’ husband, Jason Jones, is charged with killing Twiford and three others. 

Because both of these cases remained separate, the court decided to start with Jason Jones. Jason Jones waived his right to an appearance Monday as he was represented by his attorney during the pre-trial. 

Jason Jones’ defense planned to file a couple of motions that are planning to be reviewed during the next court date. These motions are in regard to a potential change of venue as well as lack of evidence in certain areas of the case.

They plan to use their next scheduled court date to take up whatever is pending from the previous motions. Jason Jones has waived his right to appear as he is still currently lodged in Lancaster County Jail. 

The next hearing was for Carrie Jones shortly after. Carrie Jones’ defense said they plan to file similar motions as to Jason’s in the two motions listed above. 

Unlike her husband, Jones appeared in Cedar County Court on Monday. The state raised a concern regarding the closeness of the two cases and how the investigations should be handled separately. 

Honorable Judge Bryan Meismer reassured the defense the state of both of these cases, along with their exhibits will be examined individually. Meismer gave the defense 21 days to file all the motions they want for the case. 

A jury trial date has not yet been set, but both Carrie and Jason Jones are scheduled back in Wayne County District Court scheduled for Mar. 28 at 10:30a.m. There, they will review the final motions and begin to aim for a trial date.