Trial begins for man accused of quadruple homicide in Laurel

The trial for a Nebraska man accused of quadruple homicide in Laurel in 2022 began inside a Dakota County courtroom Thursday.

After three days of jury selection, the state and defense each made their case as to whether defendant Jason Jones should be found guilty of first-degree murder, first-degree arson and the use of a firearm to commit a felony.

Jones has pled not guilty to each of his charges.

The first three rows of the courtroom were packed with family members of the victims, which include Gene, Janet and Dana Twiford, as well as Michele Ebeling.

Jones did not make an appearance Thursday and defense attorney Todd Lancaster said he is unlikely to appear throughout the remainder of the trial.

Corey O’Brien, the chief prosecutor for the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office, showed the jury a slideshow of several dozen items, including receipts, lighters, and gas cans, connecting Jones with the killings of his four neighbors.

“The state of Nebraska intends to produce evidence for you that consists of over a thousand exhibits of photographs, physical exhibits, videos and other items,” O'Brien said.

Defense attorney Matthew McDonald said the state only shared half of the story and argued that Jones had a mental breakdown and intended to kill himself the night of the four homicides.

He encouraged the jury to find Jones guilty of a charge less serious than first-degree murder.

“Jason Jones did kill the Twiford family," McDonald said. "That’s never been in dispute. But the rest of the story is what’s important. He is not guilty of first-degree, pre-meditated murder.”

The trial is scheduled to continue through Sept. 27.