OH - Pike Co - 8 in Rhoden Family Murdered - 4 Wagner Family Members Arrested #88

[Covert Operative]

Remember, what I said about him.

He is guilty, but I do not think they have nearly as much evidence on him. Without Angela and/or Jakes testimony his trial would be much different than George's, I feel. Perhaps when the judge has a few days to reflect he will see what issues this may cause if he were to sentence them before Billy's trial. He did relent somewhat on maybe sentencing Jake before Billy's trial. I feel they need Angela's testimony to back up Jakes testimony to a degree, but not sure they are gonna be able to get that.

 

[Betty P]

He is guilty, but I do not think they have nearly as much evidence on him. Without Angela and/or Jakes testimony his trial would be much different than George's, I feel. Perhaps when the judge has a few days to reflect he will see what issues this may cause if he were to sentence them before Billy's trial. He did relent somewhat on maybe sentencing Jake before Billy's trial. I feel they need Angela's testimony to back up Jakes testimony to a degree, but not sure they are gonna be able to get that.

The legal agreement has always been that Angie and Jake are not formally sentenced via their plea agreements until AFTER they testify in the trials of their co-defendants. That's SOP. Any exceptions would only come if the state makes a motion for those changes.

No one is asking the judge to make those decisions now. In fact, he's not supposed to sentence them now. He knows that, its in writing in the plea agreements. That he's suddenly saying that he has to sentence them now is very suspicious. That's just not true. In essence, that's what AC was saying the other day.

 

[arielilane]

What?


Judge did fine put George away for life no reason Billy will be any different than his 3 stoodges helping him to murder 8 people.

I expect Billy in prision in 2025. Jake, Rita, and Angie also get sentenced. George sits in the vermont hell hole last I heard.

2 cents

Iirc, GW4 moved to RI prison. When did he get moved to VT? TIA

 

[Niner]

Docket updates

Date Docket Text
11/20/2024 STATE'S APPLICATION TO APPOINT SPECIAL ASSISTANT PROSECUTOR FILED
Attorney: CANEPA, ANGELA R

11/20/2024 ENTRY APPOINTING RONALD J O'BRIEN, ATTORNEY AT LAW, AS SPECIAL PROSECUTOR FILED

11/20/2024 STATE'S SUPPLEMENTAL DISCOVERY AND NOTICE OF INTENTION TO USE EVIDENCE FILED
Attorney: CANEPA, ANGELA R

11/20/2024 STATE'S SUPPLEMENTAL EXHIBITS TO STATE'S MEMORANDUM CONTRA DEFENDANT'S AMENDED MOTION FOR CHANGE OF VENUE FILED
Attorney: CANEPA, ANGELA R

Hearings
Date Tppe Event Judge
11/20/2024 01:00 PM PRE-TRIAL JUNK, ROBERT

12/16/2024 01:00 PM PRE-TRIAL JUNK, ROBERT

01/03/2025 09:00 AM PRE-TRIAL JUNK, ROBERT

01/06/2025 09:00 AM JURY TRIAL JUNK, ROBERT

link: https://cpcourt.pikecounty.oh.gov/e...p2P1Y63nPwGKAHOKSaOCkn7KqaRaHkuXqvk4tVfJWqKLQ

 

[Cool Cats]

Iirc, GW4 moved to RI prison. When did he get moved to VT? TIA

I get those States mixed up

 

[Covert Operative]

Seems like the judge granted a change of venue in Billy's trial.

• 
  
  
  [td]11/25/2024[/td][td]DECISION - GRANTING MOTION FOR CHANGE OF VENUE FILED COPIES FILED EMAILED TO COUNSEL[/td]

 

[LMDlong]

Seems like the judge granted a change of venue in Billy's trial.

• 
  
  [td]11/25/2024[/td][td]DECISION - GRANTING MOTION FOR CHANGE OF VENUE FILED COPIES FILED EMAILED TO COUNSEL[/td]

What is with this judge !

 

[Betty P]

What is with this judge !

Maybe someone is trying to make this trial more expensive as a way of forcing the prosecution to let Billy off the hook or give him a slap on the wrist? IDK, it's Pike County. JMO

 

[Covert Operative]

Judge moves last Pike County massacre trial out of the county

George "Billy" Wagner III was to be tried in Pike County starting Jan. 6. With a change of venue order, the place and date are to be announced.

www.cincinnati.com

 

[Covert Operative]

Sentening for Angela and Jake on 12-17 if Judge Hein proceeds with it.
Angela-

[td]11/25/2024[/td][td]""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Judge: JUNK, ROBERT Event: SENTENCING Date: 12/17/2024 Time: 09:00 AM[/td]

Jake

[td]11/25/2024[/td][td]""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Judge: JUNK, ROBERT Event: SENTENCING Date: 12/17/2024 Time: 11:00 AM[/td]

 

[Betty P]

Sentening for Angela and Jake on 12-17 if Judge Hein proceeds with it.
Angela-

[td]11/25/2024[/td][td]""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Judge: JUNK, ROBERT Event: SENTENCING Date: 12/17/2024 Time: 09:00 AM[/td]

Jake

[td]11/25/2024[/td][td]""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Judge: JUNK, ROBERT Event: SENTENCING Date: 12/17/2024 Time: 11:00 AM[/td]

He can't do this until they've fulfilled the terms of their plea agreements. What is going on here? I've never seen anything like this before.

He also can't change the sentences offered in their plea agreements, at least not without having a good reason and without the consent of the prosecutor.

JMO, this is just a poorly crafted attempt to let Billy off scot-free as a "favor" to his mother. JMO

 

[Covert Operative]

He can't do this until they've fulfilled the terms of their plea agreements. What is going on here? I've never seen anything like this before.

He also can't change the sentences offered in their plea agreements, at least not without having a good reason and without the consent of the prosecutor.

JMO, this is just a poorly crafted attempt to let Billy off scot-free as a "favor" to his mother. JMO

If he does do it there is no recourse the prosecutor has to take against Jake once he is sentenced. State vs Gilbert ruling makes that clear. Jake's Plea agreement is attached to this motion. I have posted it before, but some may not have seen it before.

 

[Betty P]

According to the news media, it's Junk who is making these requests?

https://www.nbc4i.com/wagner-trials/billy-wagners-trial-will-not-take-place-in-pike-county-as-judge-grants-request/

Pike County court records show that Judge Robert Junk granted a request Monday to change the venue for the upcoming trial of George “Billy” Wagner III. The exact location for the trial has not been specified at this time.

Billy Wagner’s trial was originally slated to begin in May but was delayed to a Jan. 6 start after a request from defense attorney Mark Collins in March. Billy Wagner is the last member of the family to await trial for the 2016 massacre.

Judge grants motion to move Pike County massacre trial out of county

The start of Billy Wagner's murder trial in connection with the 2016 murders of eight members of the Rhoden family in Pike Co. is scheduled to start in early January.

www.wlwt.com

"The Court finds that the intense scope of media coverage in this case - and other closely related cases - was so pervasive that prejudice is presumed. The small population of Pike County and the intense media coverage leads the Court to conclude that no jury could truthfully answer that they have no prior knowledge of the horrendous facts of this case," the ruling states.

The change of venue was granted and until a new venue is specified, all pleadings filed and proceedings will be held in Pike County.

Judge grants motion to move Pike County massacre trial out of county

The start of Billy Wagner's murder trial in connection with the 2016 murders of eight members of the Rhoden family in Pike Co. is scheduled to start in early January.

www.wlwt.com

"The Court finds that making the venue decision well in advance of trial reduces delay and reduces implicit bias. Such benefits serve the State, the Defendant, the victims and the judicial process," the ruling states.

So far, I'm not finding any legitimate reason for Judge Hein to sentence Jake and Angela prior to Billy's trial. Anyone else find a reason given for this change?

 

[arielilane]

@jamespilcher

breaking: Visiting judge grants change of venue in Billy Wagner trial in Pike County massacre case. Looking at decision now - will update soonest



11:08 AM · Nov 25, 2024


Judge Hein did NOT indicate where the trial would be moved to - only that a suitable venue needs to be located and the judge needs to get that court's cooperation.



11:13 AM · Nov 25, 2024

Judge rules on change of venue motion in Billy Wagner trial

A visiting judge has granted the defense's motion to move Billy Wagner's trial out of Pike County.

www.local12.com

11/25/2024

 

[LMDlong]

Does anyone know if Jake is sentenced before Billy’s trial can Jake refuse to testify now that the DP is off the table?

 

[arielilane]

I am going to agree with AC, "why are you trying to sabotage this case right now?"

The acting judge is retired [overlooked by me], and I am not sure he can dismiss the death penalty… Isn’t he bound to the previous judge’s ruling? jmo

The poor families of the Pike County murder victims.

 

[Betty P]

Does anyone know if Jake is sentenced before Billy’s trial can Jake refuse to testify now that the DP is off the table?

I don't think there's any precedent for this. Yes, it has the potential to prevent Jake from testifying.

 

[LMDlong]

I don't think there's any precedent for this. Yes, it has the potential to prevent Jake from testifying.

I reread the info from when JW changed his plea. I don’t know if I’m understanding it correctly. If JW refuses to testify then all the charges dropped that were DP specifications would be added back on plus new charges .

 

[Covert Operative]

I reread the info from when JW changed his plea. I don’t know if I’m understanding it correctly. If JW refuses to testify then all the charges dropped that were DP specifications would be added back on plus new charges .

Not if he is senteced before Billy's trial. There is no remedy for that to my understanding.

 

[Covert Operative]

Filed today also. State opposing dismissal of DP for Billy.