OH - Pike Co - 8 in Rhoden Family Murdered - 4 Wagner Family Members Arrested #87

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https://twitter.com/x/status/1630716847535407104
.#BillyWagner will be back in Pike County Common Pleas Court @ 2 p.m. on March 15 for a status hearing. A defendant and the alleged mastermind of the 2016 Rhoden family homicides got a new judge on his case Monday. R. Alan Corbin added the hearing to Wagner's docket today. 1/3.

No filing for a change of venue so far. Billy Wagner's attorneys last month said they would seek one after a visiting judge was appointed to their client's case. Corbin retired as Brown County Common Pleas Court judge in 2009. 2/3.

Planning @Enquirer coverage now. Will need to confer with other media to determine whether a live feed will be available. Wagner pictured above at a January 2023 with retiring Pike County Common Pleas Judge Randy Deering. (Photo by
@AlbertCesare @Enquirer) 3/3
 

This will be Billy Wagner's second trip to Pike County Common Pleas Court this year. In January, he appeared briefly after lawyers met with retiring Judge Randy Deering. Deering has now been replaced with a visiting judge from Brown County, R. Alan Corbin.

Wagner's team expects to discuss "pre-trial issues including venue" on Wednesday, attorney Thomas Hayes said via email. In January, fellow attorney Mark Collins said "there's probably not even a chance to get a fair jury" in Pike County given the prominence of the case.


https://twitter.com/x/status/1635632241006252034
 
https://twitter.com/x/status/1635632242889314306
. @Enquirer photog @ldufour and I will be on hand for any developments. In the meantime, here's a new(ish) overview of the case from podcast "Crime Junkie." I narrate some of the action in the episode.

.#BillyWagner will be back in court tomorrow for a scheduling hearing in his #PikeCountyMassacre case. Wagner is the father of the family tied to the 2016 homicides of Pike County's Rhoden family. (Photo by @AlbertCesare @Enquirer)

https://twitter.com/x/status/1635632235830206464
 
I shall shorten this up a bit....

Wednesday, March 15th:
*Status Conference Hearing (@ 2pm ET) - OH - Pike County 8 people dead: Christopher Rhoden, Sr. (40), his ex-wife, Dana Manley Rhoden (37), their three children, Clarence "Frankie" Rhoden (20), Christopher Jr. (16), Hanna Mae (19); Frankie's fiancée, Hannah Hazel Gilley (20), Christopher Rhoden Sr.'s brother, Kenneth Rhoden (44), & a cousin, Gary Rhoden (37). Hanna Rhoden's baby girl (5 days old), another baby (6 mos.) and a young child (3) were unharmed. (April 21-22, 2016, Pebbles) - *George Washington "Billy" Wagner III (47/now 51) (name changed (11/5/86) from William Emmanuel) (Jake’s father) indicted (11/12/18), arrested (11/13/18), charged (11/15/18) & arraigned (12/4/18) with 8 counts of aggravated murder, (plus gun specifications on each), 1 count of 1st degree conspiracy, 4 counts of 1st degree aggravated burglary, 1 count of 5th degree unlawful possession of dangerous ordnance, 3 counts of 3rd degree evidence tampering, 1 count of 5th degree forgery, 1 count of 5th degree unauthorized use of computer or telecommunications, 1 count of 4th degree interception of wire, oral or electronic communication, 1 count of 4th degree obstructing justice, 1 count of 1st degree engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. DA will seek the DP.
Trial was tentatively scheduled on 10/3/22 has been continued, no further dates available yet, but authorities believe it will not start until 2023. Presiding Judge R. Alan Corbin.
Number of shots fired at each victim (Det. Scheiderer: We know the three calibers of firearms that were used to commit these murders. a 22 caliber long rifle, a 40 caliber, and a 30 caliber) & court hearings from 12/4/18 thru 12/2/22 reference post #659 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...ner-family-members-arrested-87.648136/page-33
12/29/22 Update: Next pretrial hearing on 1/18/23 @ 1pm.
1/18/23 Update: Judge Deering talked about his retirement coming up 2/8/23. Rob Junk will be new judge, will ask Ohio Supreme Court for a new visiting judge. Will choose a successor judge. Michael Davis is new assistant prosecuting attorney. Andy Wilson appointed to a new state office, unable to participate. Will probably have one or two new people on the case. Because of necessity to appoint new people, no point in setting new dates for this case. Some time in February new dates can be set. Ask defense if its ok - they agree, are ok with it. Something about client wanting a change of venue. Will wait until later. Nothing from state, all ok. Asking Billy routine questions about meeting with his attorneys, all ok. Adjourn. Counsel for GW3 announced that it was their intention to file a supplementary motion for change of venue.
1/23/23 Update: Judge Deering is retiring on 2/9/23 so GW3 case has been put on indefinite hold. 1/24/23: Entry changing rate of compensation for special prosecutor Angela Canepa. Filed & mailed copies to Counsel. 1/25/23 Update: Journal entry: Pretrial hearing on 1/28/23; Counsel for the defendant announced to the Court that it was the intention of the defense to file a supplementary motion for change of venue; in view of the fact that the Judge currently presiding over this action is retiring, with his last day in office being 2/8/23 & that the Judge=Elect will succeed the current Judge in office is the County prosecuting attorney who has prosecuted this action. It was agreed by the parties that further hearings in this action, as well as the trial should be scheduled before a visiting Judge to be appointed by the Ohio Supreme Court. 1/27/23: Journal Entry: Order regarding protection & decorum of proceedings filed & mailed copies.
2/7/23: Motion for appointment of special prosecutor attorney filed by Robert Junk. Entry appointing Angela Canepa as special prosecutor filed. 2/9/23: On Thursday, the Pike County Commissioners appointed Michael A. Davis as the Interim Pike County Prosecutor to replace Junk in that office.
2/16/23: Journal entry of recusal. Rob Junk, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, Pike County recuses himself from presiding as Judge in this action for the reason that said Judge's impartiality might reasonably be questioned due to serving as prosecuting attorney & having direct involvement in the case.
2/27/23: Certificate of assignment. The Honorable R. Alan Corbin, a retired Judge of the Brown County Court of Common Pleas, general & domestic relations division, is assigned effective 2/7/23 to presiding in the Pike County Court of Common Pleas to hear this case. 2/28/23 Update: Next status conference hearing on 3/15/23 @ 2pm. Judge Brown has about 20 outstanding motions to decide following the retirement of Judge Deering, including possible change of venue. 2/28/23: Order: Scheduling status conference for 3/15/23 @ 2pm. Warrant for removal from Butler Co. Jail for status conference. 3/1/23: Amended warrant for removal from Butler Co. Jail on 3/15/23.
*George Washington Wagner IV (27/now 31) – Guilty of all charges on 11/30/22 & sentenced on 12/19/22 to 8 Life sentences without the possibility of parole to run consecutively for the murders plus 121 years on other charges. Appeal filed 1/26/23.
*Angela Jo Wagner (48/now 52) – 9/10/21: Plead guilty to a plea deal to Counts 9 thru 22; Counts 1-8 were dismissed. Will be sentenced to 30 years in prison with no early release & has to testify against others at trial.
*Edward Jacob “Jake” Wagner (26/now 29) – Plead guilty (4/22/21) to all charges & will testify at the trials & will be sentenced after GW3 trial.
*Rita Jo Newcomb (65/now 70) – Motion hearing on 12/2/19 entered a plea of guilty to all charges. Will testify at the trials.
*Fredericka Carol Wagner (76/now 80) – 6/26/19: Charges were dismissed without prejudice.
 
Niner said:
I shall shorten this up a bit....

Wednesday, March 15th:
*Status Conference Hearing (@ 2pm ET) - OH - Pike County 8 people dead: Christopher Rhoden, Sr. (40), his ex-wife, Dana Manley Rhoden (37), their three children, Clarence "Frankie" Rhoden (20), Christopher Jr. (16), Hanna Mae (19); Frankie's fiancée, Hannah Hazel Gilley (20), Christopher Rhoden Sr.'s brother, Kenneth Rhoden (44), & a cousin, Gary Rhoden (37). Hanna Rhoden's baby girl (5 days old), another baby (6 mos.) and a young child (3) were unharmed. (April 21-22, 2016, Pebbles) - *George Washington "Billy" Wagner III (47/now 51) (name changed (11/5/86) from William Emmanuel) (Jake’s father) indicted (11/12/18), arrested (11/13/18), charged (11/15/18) & arraigned (12/4/18) with 8 counts of aggravated murder, (plus gun specifications on each), 1 count of 1st degree conspiracy, 4 counts of 1st degree aggravated burglary, 1 count of 5th degree unlawful possession of dangerous ordnance, 3 counts of 3rd degree evidence tampering, 1 count of 5th degree forgery, 1 count of 5th degree unauthorized use of computer or telecommunications, 1 count of 4th degree interception of wire, oral or electronic communication, 1 count of 4th degree obstructing justice, 1 count of 1st degree engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. DA will seek the DP.
Trial was tentatively scheduled on 10/3/22 has been continued, no further dates available yet, but authorities believe it will not start until 2023. Presiding Judge R. Alan Corbin.
Number of shots fired at each victim (Det. Scheiderer: We know the three calibers of firearms that were used to commit these murders. a 22 caliber long rifle, a 40 caliber, and a 30 caliber) & court hearings from 12/4/18 thru 12/2/22 reference post #659 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...ner-family-members-arrested-87.648136/page-33
12/29/22 Update: Next pretrial hearing on 1/18/23 @ 1pm.
1/18/23 Update: Judge Deering talked about his retirement coming up 2/8/23. Rob Junk will be new judge, will ask Ohio Supreme Court for a new visiting judge. Will choose a successor judge. Michael Davis is new assistant prosecuting attorney. Andy Wilson appointed to a new state office, unable to participate. Will probably have one or two new people on the case. Because of necessity to appoint new people, no point in setting new dates for this case. Some time in February new dates can be set. Ask defense if its ok - they agree, are ok with it. Something about client wanting a change of venue. Will wait until later. Nothing from state, all ok. Asking Billy routine questions about meeting with his attorneys, all ok. Adjourn. Counsel for GW3 announced that it was their intention to file a supplementary motion for change of venue.
1/23/23 Update: Judge Deering is retiring on 2/9/23 so GW3 case has been put on indefinite hold. 1/24/23: Entry changing rate of compensation for special prosecutor Angela Canepa. Filed & mailed copies to Counsel. 1/25/23 Update: Journal entry: Pretrial hearing on 1/28/23; Counsel for the defendant announced to the Court that it was the intention of the defense to file a supplementary motion for change of venue; in view of the fact that the Judge currently presiding over this action is retiring, with his last day in office being 2/8/23 & that the Judge=Elect will succeed the current Judge in office is the County prosecuting attorney who has prosecuted this action. It was agreed by the parties that further hearings in this action, as well as the trial should be scheduled before a visiting Judge to be appointed by the Ohio Supreme Court. 1/27/23: Journal Entry: Order regarding protection & decorum of proceedings filed & mailed copies.
2/7/23: Motion for appointment of special prosecutor attorney filed by Robert Junk. Entry appointing Angela Canepa as special prosecutor filed. 2/9/23: On Thursday, the Pike County Commissioners appointed Michael A. Davis as the Interim Pike County Prosecutor to replace Junk in that office.
2/16/23: Journal entry of recusal. Rob Junk, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, Pike County recuses himself from presiding as Judge in this action for the reason that said Judge's impartiality might reasonably be questioned due to serving as prosecuting attorney & having direct involvement in the case.
2/27/23: Certificate of assignment. The Honorable R. Alan Corbin, a retired Judge of the Brown County Court of Common Pleas, general & domestic relations division, is assigned effective 2/7/23 to presiding in the Pike County Court of Common Pleas to hear this case. 2/28/23 Update: Next status conference hearing on 3/15/23 @ 2pm. Judge Brown has about 20 outstanding motions to decide following the retirement of Judge Deering, including possible change of venue. 2/28/23: Order: Scheduling status conference for 3/15/23 @ 2pm. Warrant for removal from Butler Co. Jail for status conference. 3/1/23: Amended warrant for removal from Butler Co. Jail on 3/15/23.
*George Washington Wagner IV (27/now 31) – Guilty of all charges on 11/30/22 & sentenced on 12/19/22 to 8 Life sentences without the possibility of parole to run consecutively for the murders plus 121 years on other charges. Appeal filed 1/26/23.
*Angela Jo Wagner (48/now 52) – 9/10/21: Plead guilty to a plea deal to Counts 9 thru 22; Counts 1-8 were dismissed. Will be sentenced to 30 years in prison with no early release & has to testify against others at trial.
*Edward Jacob “Jake” Wagner (26/now 29) – Plead guilty (4/22/21) to all charges & will testify at the trials & will be sentenced after GW3 trial.
*Rita Jo Newcomb (65/now 70) – Motion hearing on 12/2/19 entered a plea of guilty to all charges. Will testify at the trials.
*Fredericka Carol Wagner (76/now 80) – 6/26/19: Charges were dismissed without prejudice.
Click to expand...
Nice photo link in your post, a photo to tape on their cell wall. Wonder who took the photo?

1678864570490.png
 
gizmobtj said:
I was catching up on the podcasts and it looks like Jake claimed on the stand that Billy did shoot Frankie after Jake did, according to the reporting from the Piketon Massacre podcast

Click to expand...
FWIW, I remember hearing Jake say that while testifying during GW4's trial. There was a delayed reaction, then everyone realized that was different from what Jake had said before.
 
Wow, didn't expect this, Billy's Status Hearing being public - some of it anyway.

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arielilane said:
https://twitter.com/x/status/1636051458360586242
Click to expand...
Probably the closest to a smile as I have seen him.

I am very curious about defense strategy.

Obviously just saying he is innocent, Jake and Angie are liars, went to bed at midnight, didn't know about it, would have stopped it, etc... Doesn't convince a jury as George's defense team can attest.

He will definitely try the "I didn't live with them and only went over twice a week with doughnuts" defense.

Oh, and the 6th grade education he made sure to mention in his September 2016 parking lot first BCI interview.

2 Cents
 
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https://twitter.com/x/status/1636075545464037377


New judge Corbin now on the bench. Remember he was appointed after previous Judge Deering retired, and then former prosecutor and new Pike Co judge Rob Junk recused himself because of conflict issues.

Corbin says he has a lot to catch up on and get up to speed since he was just recently appointed.

Billy Wagner the last of the family to face justice. Youngest son Jake pleaded guilty as did Billy's wife Angela Wagner. Oldest son George IV was found guilty last year of all charges and got life without parole.

Judge points out Billy still faces death penalty - that's only off the table if and when Jake Wagner testifies against his father.

Corbin: "death is different" and would take much longer if death specs will remain.

Going to schedule hearings on three main motions - change of venue, "other acts" (criminal actions by Billy not associated with trial - they were allowed in George's) and whether Billy's interview at border can be played.

Talking about after September for the final two motions. He's going to tackle defense request to change venue first ... but not set date yet. Says it's going to take time to prepare - actual trial not until early 2024.

Still need to transcribe thousands of pages of transcripts for George's trial as well.

And that’s all after 15 minutes. Time in to @Local12 at 6 for the recap
 
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