MADISON COUNTY, Neb. (Aug. 6) – The trial of Carrie Jones took a dramatic turn with the testimony of Jason Jones, leaving observers to wonder if his words will save Carrie or seal her fate.

Jason Jones spent over two hours detailing his life, his relationship with Carrie, and the events leading up to the quadruple homicide. The couple met online in 2012, marrying within months while living in Oklahoma. They moved between Nebraska and Oklahoma before settling in the Omaha area in 2016 for Carrie's job.

The couple moved to Laurel in 2019. Carrie, who had worked as a Cedar County dispatcher from September 2020 to February 2022, took a break from trucking to do a truck route for Performance Foods. Jason's over-the-road trucking meant he was often gone for weeks. In August 2022, financial struggles due to nearly $30,000 in truck repairs strained their marriage. Jason testified that Carrie was frustrated with Gene Twiford's behavior and blamed him for his absence.

Jason described Carrie as complicated with a temper, but he said he didn't take her behavior seriously, even when she pointed a gun at him. He admitted to breaking into the Twiford home at 3:02 a.m. on Aug. 4, shooting the Twifords with his Ruger 57 pistol, and setting the house on fire. He was surprised to find Janet and Dana Twiford there, as he thought Gene lived alone.

Afterward, he went to Ebeling's house, forced his way inside, and shot her. He then set her house on fire. Neighbors approached, and Jason contemplated suicide before Carrie arrived home from work. The couple went home, and a neighbor called 911 after seeing an explosion at Ebeling’s house.

Jason testified that Carrie never told him to kill anyone or burn any houses. When asked if he had any regrets, Jason said, "I do. It was extreme, and I wish I could take it back."

Jason Jones is expected to stand trial for the murders and arson in late November.

His testimony could significantly impact whether he receives the death penalty or life in prison.

Jurors are expected to hear closing arguments and begin deliberations on Thursday (August 7.) If found guilty, Carrie Jones would face life in prison plus up to 70 years.