Judge rules statements to law enforcement are admissible
HARTINGTON – All of the statements a Laurel woman made to police will be admissible at her murder trial.
Judge Bryan Meismer issued an order denying Carrie Jones’ motion to suppress statements she made during the investigation into a quadruple murder in Laurel on Aug. 4, 2022. Those statements were part of a threehour hearing in June in Cedar County District Court.
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against her husband, Jason Jones, in the deaths of his neighbors, Gene Twiford, Janet Twiford, Dana Twiford and Michele Shankles-Ebeling. Carrie Jones is accused of the murder of Gene Twiford, tampering with evidence and being an accessory to a felony.
While Jason Jones is considered the principal offender, under Nebraska statutes, Carrie Jones can be found guilty as well if she aided and encouraged him to carry out the killing, according to the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office.
At the June hearing, four officers with the Nebraska State Patrol and Laurel Police Chief Ron Lundahl testified Carrie Jones was cooperative and responsive throughout several different interviews and was infor med of her right to leave at any time. She didn’t appear to be under the influence and responded rationally throughout. Law enforcement didn’t use any threats, promises or inducements to get Jones to talk to them, they said.
She was recorded without her knowledge in an interview with Investigators Tim Doggett and Brad Higgins Aug. 16 and Dec. 8, 2022, but the court notes consent or knowledge of the recording is not required in Nebraska. In fact, the recording of contact between law enforcement and the public is becoming more prevalent and accepted, Meismer said.
“Keeping a record of these contacts is certainly benefi cial to both officer safety and protecting the liberties of individuals who come in contact with law enforcement,” Meismer wrote.
In his ruling, Meismer detailed each of her contacts with law enforcement, addressing the matters of law and then denying the motion to suppress each statement, making each statement admissible at trial.
Carrie Jones’ next court date was set for Aug. 26. Last week, her lawyers Doug Stratton and Nate Stratton, Norfolk, requested more than $21,000 in legal fees and expenses incurred in her defense.
She remains incarcerated at the Boone County Jail.