A three-judge panel in Nebraska has sentenced Jason Jones to death for the 2022 murders of four neighbors in Laurel. The killings followed complaints from his wife about harassment by one victim. Jones was convicted in 2024, while his wife received life imprisonment last year.
On Friday, District Judges Bryan Meismer of Dakota City, Timothy Burns of Omaha, and Patrick Heng of McCook unanimously imposed the death penalty on Jason Jones, 46, making him the 12th person on Nebraska's death row. Jones was convicted in September 2024 of 10 felony charges, including first-degree murders and arson, for the deaths of 86-year-old Gene Twiford, his wife Janet Twiford, 85, their daughter Dana Twiford, 55, and neighbor Michele Ebeling, 53. The panel cited the loss of four lives and efforts to conceal the crimes as key factors in the decision, with Meismer describing the acts as 'terrible, despicable and unforgiving murders.' Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers praised the ruling, stating the panel detailed the 'horrific' events and justified the sentence in a 'thorough and well-reasoned order.'