Motion to change venue filed for Carrie Jones’ trial

HARTINGTON, Neb. (KCAU) — The attorney for Carrie Jones, who is charged in the 2022 quadruple homicide case in Laurel, Nebraska, has filed a motion to change the venue of her trial.

Court documents indicate that Jones wants her trial to be moved out of Cedar County, where Laurel is located, to another county. Jones’ attorney argues that an impartial jury cannot be seated in Cedar County.

One of the arguments for the motion is that in supplemental juror questionnaires to 200 possible jurors, 113 of them said they believe that Jones is guilty. Another reason is the media’s ongoing pretrial coverage of Jones and the murder trial of her husband, Jason Jones .

According to Carrie Jones’ attorney, there is an “attitude of deep and bitter prejudice” against her among potential jurors. This includes alleged comments such as “Mrs. Jones is a devil worshipper,” “Build the gallows,” and “She pushed her husband to murder.”

Carrie Jones’ husband, Jason Jones, is accused of killing four people at two homes in Laurel on Aug. 4, 2022 , and then setting fire to the homes. The victims were identified as Michele Ebeling, 53, Gene Twiford, 86, Janet Twiford, 85, and Dana Twiford, 55. He was found guilty on four counts of first-degree murder on Sept. 26.

Carrie Jones herself was charged with the murder of one of the victims, along with tampering with physical evidence and accessory to a felony. She pleaded not guilty in May 2023.

A hearing for the attorney’s motion has been set for Oct. 28.

To view KCAU 9’s previous coverage of this case, click here .

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