Jurors review communications in murder trial

DAKOTA CITY – Jurors heard a one-minute extract from a phone call between Jason Jones and his mother in which he seems to justify his actions.

“They weren’t innocent,” he said in the recorded phone call from the Nebraska Department of Corrections. “That guy (Gene Twiford) was banned from half the businesses in town for his stalking, sick sexual behavior, and other people did other things, so, it wasn’t just me going homicidal maniac on innocent people.”

A variety of communications were entered into evidence in Jones’ trial Friday including the portion of the phone call to his mother from Nov. 3, 2023; a digital note Jones purportedly wrote to his wife, Carrie, the night before and morning of the murders; and greeting cards Carrie wrote to Jason.

Jason Jones is accused of first-degree murder in the deaths of Michele Ebeling, Gene Twiford, Janet Twiford, and Dana Twiford; related weapons charges; and two counts of arson for allegedly setting their homes on fire after shooting them on Aug. 4, 2002, in Laurel.

Jones’ trial was moved to Dakota County due to extensive media coverage, among other issues. The trial has been ongoing for the last two weeks.

During Friday’s proceedings, many questions and connections were made regarding two greeting cards found in a tool bag located on Ebeling’s kitchen table. One card was a birthday card and the other, an anniversary card. One of the cards was signed “Love Always, Carrie.”

Along with the greeting cards, the bag processed by Investigator Tyler Mann of the Nebraska State Patrol contained a photograph of a posed Jason Jones with his wife; lighter fluid; a lighter; engraved stones; a book; a pair of men’s underwear; and a pair of doll underwear. A doll was also found on Ebeling’s table.

When Investigator Tyler Mann of the Nebraska State Patrol conducted a search warrant on the Jones’ home, another greeting card was located in one of the closets. The handwriting on the card from the Jones’ home and the cards in the bag at Ebeling’s home appear to match, Mann said.

All three cards used a sort of pet name, “Meuters,” but it wasn’t entirely clear if Carrie or Jason was being called by the pet name, or they both called each other the name. No explanation was provided as to a meaning behind the name.

The pet name appears again in a digital note from Jason Jones’ cellphone data, purportedly written to his wife the night before and morning of the murders.

As read by Mann, it said:

“Until we meet again, my Meuters. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I do appreciate it. I’m sorry I let you down so much through the years. I’m sorry that I tried to do for us just made it worse. I hope you can find some sense of peace one day. The last I could do was take with me the douchebags. I did what I could, last recon, but the guy’s down the street not at home, I got his hider-hole at least. Yes, I went with them, setting up my own Greek funeral pyre, Ala Darth Vader, took my tools with me, too. I know you think I’m a straight out liar all the way but all I did was trying to do for us. I love you.”

Mann also detailed the collection of evidence at the Jones’ home including a number of electronics, and weapons including guns, knifes and swords. Some of the knifes’ sheathes contained biological matter or burnt material, he said.

There were also a number of clothing items that contained feces as the cloth appeared to be fashioned into diapers with duct tape to close it. Mann agreed with defense attorney Matt McDonald that people who are dying often lose control of their bowels and Jones was in a state of dying when apprehended by law enforcement on Aug. 5, 2022.

Others who testified Friday included:

Misty Miranda, employee of Cubby’s in Laurel

- Interacted with Gene Twiford at Cubby’s almost daily as he would purchase a chocolate old-fashioned donut and a cup of coffee. When asked how he was doing, Twiford would reply with, “I’m still kicking. Don’t bend over.”

“We laughed it off,” Miranda said, describing Gene Twiford as an older gentleman who liked to joke around.

- At least one other Cubby’s employee didn’t find the comment funny and instead took offense, making a complaint to Laurel Police Chief Ron Lundahl.

- Twiford was never banned from the store but after Lundahl talked to him about his offensive comment, he was “walking on eggshells” around certain people while in Cubby’s.

Jennifer Schaible, former employee at Dollar General in Laurel

- Assisted Gene Twiford in finding items from his shopping list.

- Said Twiford had made the same “Don’t bend over,” comment to her.

“It didn’t make me feel unsafe. It was more in a joking manner,” she said.

- Twiford was never banned from the store and no customers or employees made complaints.

Kevin Miserez, West Point gunshop owner

- Explained forms required and the process for purchasing a firearm from his store.

- Provided information to law enforcement at their request including documentation of a firearm purchased by Jason Jones with serial numbers matching a gun involved in the murders.

Jared Irvine, Omaha gunshop employee

- Provided documentation of a firearm purchased by Jason Jones in 2021 with serial numbers matching a gun involved in the murders.

Trevor Maloy, technology provider at the Nebraska Department of Corrections

- Explained inmate access to technology including making telephone calls

- Gave general procedures about how inmate phone calls are pre-approved and recorded.

- Shared how recorded phone calls are stored and retrieved.

Investigator Michael Maseth, Nebraska Attorney General’s Office

- Described his work in retrieving phone calls made by Jason Jones and how he was able to provide a portion of phone calls as entered into evidence.