MADISON, Neb. — A jury has been selected in the high-stakes first-degree murder trial of Carrie Jones, who stands accused in connection with the 2022 quadruple homicide that rocked the small community of Laurel.

Jones has entered a plea of not guilty to charges that include first-degree murder in the death of Gene Twiford, along with counts of evidence tampering and accessory to a felony.

During Tuesday's opening statements, Assistant Attorney General Sandra Allen addressed the jurors, stating, "Make no mistake, Carrie Jones did not pull the trigger that killed Gene Twiford. But she pulled the strings that led to his death," setting the stage for a trial centered on influence and intent.

Prosecutors allege that Carrie Jones expressed dissatisfaction with her husband, Jason, claiming that Gene Twiford had sexually harassed her and that Jason was not properly addressing the situation.

Court records reveal that Carrie and Jason Jones engaged in a heated 40-minute argument that escalated to violence. During the altercation, Carrie allegedly held a knife to her husband’s neck and pointed a loaded handgun in his direction. Shortly after this exchange, Jason Jones committed the murders of Gene and Janet Twiford, their daughter Dana Twiford, and Michelle Ebeling, and then set their houses ablaze.

Jason Jones was convicted on four counts of first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree arson in September of the previous year. He is currently awaiting a decision from a panel of judges regarding whether he will face the death penalty or spend his life in prison.

As Carrie Jones's trial unfolds, her defense team is urging the court to concentrate on her direct actions, rather than assumptions or interpretations. Witnesses have been called to recount the events of the day the victims died, including a neighbor who described a shocking explosion at the Twiford residence.

Royce Fairley, a neighbor of both Carrie Jones and the Twifords, testified, "The inside was just like, boom, you could hear it. And there was a big orange flash... it just went off in there." He further stated that as he approached the house, he saw Carrie and a "black silhouette" running toward the Jones's residence.

Fairley's testimony also included details of Carrie approaching him, seemingly bewildered about the commotion. Fairley recalls Carrie saying, "Oh, my gosh, what happened? She said, I just got home from work. What's going on and is that House on Fire or stuff like that.”

Fairley's 911 call, made amidst the chaos, led to the arrival of police and firefighters, who discovered potential evidence at the scene.

Andrew Gothier, a volunteer firefighter with Laurel Fire and Rescue, reported finding "a white plastic lawn chair lying in the driveway with a leg broken off, a flashlight that was still on, a lighter, and blood on it.”

Due to concerns about finding an impartial jury in Cedar County, where the murders occurred, Carrie’s trial is being held in Madison, Nebraska. Testimony is scheduled to resume Thursday morning.