Nebraska woman who helped husband murder 4 people gets life in prison

A woman whose husband murdered four people in the small northeast Nebraska town of Laurel will spend the rest of her life in prison.

Cedar County District Court Judge Bryan Meismer on Thursday sentenced Carrie Jones to life in prison on counts of first-degree murder, evidence tampering and being an accessory.

In August, Jones was convicted of the crimes related to four murders committed by her husband, Jason Jones, in August 2022.

On Aug. 4 of that year, Jason Jones went to the home of 86-year-old Gene Twiford and shot and killed him along with his wife, Janet, and their adult daughter, Dana. The same night, Jones also shot and killed a neighbor, Michele Ebeling. Jones set their homes on fire. He set himself on fire in the process, causing critical burns over much of his body.

Jason Jones was convicted last year of four counts of first-degree murder and faces the death penalty.

Carrie Jones’ murder conviction stemmed from her efforts to encourage her husband to kill Gene Twiford because she was angry over what she said were inappropriate public comments the man had made to her. She also aided him after the fact, caring for him and attempting to conceal evidence.

Later Thursday, in the same courtroom where Carrie Jones was sentenced, a three-judge panel heard arguments for why Jason Jones should receive the death penalty. TV station KTIV reported that a ruling on that is expected by April.