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

[Cool Cats]

Thanks for posts everyone

What the heck is going on around here? It looks like Billy's DP was stopped but Jake was supposed to testify before Billy's DP was dropped. Will Jake and Angela testify against him? If they do not it would be harder to convict Billy.

I need to research this, I did not know there is change of venue. Same judge?

I don't even know what to think at this point. Billy needs LWOP in my opinion.

 

[LMDlong]

I just seen on court view that Rita is scheduled to be sentenced at 1pm the same day as Jake and Angela .
IMO I don’t think she will receive any additional jail time .

 

[LMDlong]

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]

And Rita .

 

[Betty P]

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

Excellent response from AC. Everyone should read it to understand what a series of mistakes the judge is making. He is rewarding Billy for refusing to negotiate a streamlining agreement.

The exhibit also shows that Billy is communicating with his mother, Fredericka Wagner, about all this. Not surprised.

Maybe this is something cooked up between Fredericka, Billy's attorneys and Junk.

 

[twall]

Not an attorney but I assume AC will be appealing the judges ruling on the sentencing and maybe cov. At least I hope she does, I have never seen anything like this. JMO

 

[Betty P]

Not an attorney but I assume AC will be appealing the judges ruling on the sentencing and maybe cov. At least I hope she does, I have never seen anything like this. JMO

I believe so. She’s probably had some high level discussions the last few days about this latest move.

As she points out, it’s not even a good decision on the judge’s part. His claim that he’s making these choices to speed along the trial don’t make sense because he’s actually rewarding Billy for resisting an agreement by giving him by dropping the DP and giving him a “ get out of jail free” card. It’s illogical.

JMO, he has no legitimate reason for sentencing Jake and his mother before the terms of their plea agreements have been met.

 

[twall]

I believe so. She’s probably had some high level discussions the last few days about this latest move.

As she points out, it’s not even a good decision on the judge’s part. His claim that he’s making these choices to speed along the trial don’t make sense because he’s actually rewarding Billy for resisting an agreement by giving him by dropping the DP and giving him a “ get out of jail free” card. It’s illogical.

Agree and if she appeals it will take even longer to get to trial.

 

[Niner]

for Newcomb - docket updates since the last post I did for her.

Docket Information
Date Docket Text
04/26/2022 MOTION TO CHANGE COMPENSATION RATE FOR SPECIAL PROSECUTOR FILED
Attorney: JUNK, PROSECUTING ATTORNEY, ROBERT

01/24/2023 ENTRY CHANGING RATE OF COMPENSATION FOR SPECIAL PROSECUTOR, ANGELA CANEPA
FILED AND MAILED COPIES TO COUNSEL

02/07/2023 MOTION FOR APPOINTMENT OF SPECIAL PROSECUTOR
Attorney: JUNK, PROSECUTING ATTORNEY, ROBERT

02/07/2023 ENTRY APPOINTING ANGELA CANEPA AS SPECIAL PROSECUTOR FILED

02/16/2023 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 AND HAVING DIRECT INVOLVEMENT IN THE ABOVE-MENTIONED CASE

02/27/2023 CERTIFICATE OF ASSIGNMENT -- THE HONORABLE R. ALAN CORBIN, A RETIRED JUDGE OF THE BROWN COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS, GENERAL AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS DIVISION, IS ASSIGNED EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 27, 2023 TO PRESIDE IN THE PIKE COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS, GENERAL AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS DIVISION, TO HEAR CASE 2018CR000158, STATE OF OHIO VS. RITA JO NEWCOMB AND TO CONCLUDE ANY PROCEEDINGS IN WHICH HE PARTICIPATED
COPIES FILED MAILED TO COUNSEL

06/06/2024 CERTIFICATE OF ASSIGNMENT -- JONATHAN P. HEIN, A RETIRED JUDGE OF THE DARKE COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS, GENERAL AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS DIVISION, IS ASSIGNED EFFECTIVE JUNE 4, 2024, TO PRESIDE IN THE PIKE COUNTY COMMON PLEAS TO HEAR CASE 2018CR000157, STATE OF OHIO V GEORGE WAGNER III AND TO CONCLUDE ANY PROCEEDINGS IN WHICH THE JUDGE PARTICIPATED

11/25/2024 """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Judge: JUNK, ROBERT
Event: SENTENCING
Date: 12/17/2024 Time: 01:00 PM

11/25/2024 COSTS FOR NOTICES MAILED

11/26/2024 """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Judge: JUNK, ROBERT
Event: SENTENCING
Date: 12/17/2024 Time: 11:00 AM


Events
Date / Time Type Event Judge Result
12/17/2024 11:00 AM SENTENCING JUNK, ROBERT

12/17/2024 01:00 PM SENTENCING JUNK, ROBERT RESCHEDULED
link: https://cpcourt.pikecounty.oh.gov/e...jAWLqfRXAuHSgZ*4aMxB4AmfyANXMvNCMvdw5JcIKAZqw

 

[Cool Cats]

Well a miracle.

I'm speechless

 

[Betty P]

Well a miracle.

I'm speechless

A miracle about Rita’s sentencing date or about Judge Hein trying to let Billy off the hook with some judicial sleight of hand?

The more I think about the judge’s attempts to tamper with the plea agreements and sentencing the confessed killers before they’ve testified, the more it seems this could end up in mistrials for all of the Wagners. Literally all 4 of them could end up being set free, even though two admitted they all murdered 8 innocent people as they slept.

I guess it’s time to start sending some emails and texts to the national news media.

ETA: It’s also interesting the judge is trying to do this just before Christmas, perhaps thinking the public won’t pay attention when it makes the news.

Anyone else thinking of going down there for the December 17 hearing?

 

[Covert Operative]

Wow the judge dismissed Billy's Death Penalty Specifications. That creates so many different scenarios in my thinking.

[td]11/27/2024[/td][td]JUDGMENT ENTRY - DISMISSING DEATH PENALTY SPECIFICATIONS FILED[/td]

 

[arielilane]

I get those States mixed up

Bringing you coffee w/half & half and doughnuts.

 

[arielilane]

@pattinewberry

Lots in play in Pike County with the final trial in those 2016 killings fast approaching. Here's a reminder on the crimes, the victims, the defendants and the overall case from @Enquirer .

https://twitter.com/x/status/1861774709962006970

Who's who in Pike County as final trial in 2016 killings approaches

With George "Billy" Wagner III soon on trial, here's a reminder of the events and figures in the 2016 Pike County massacre case.

www.cincinnati.com

@pattinewberry

BREAKING: #BillyWagner will not face the death penalty if convicted in his upcoming trial in the #PikeCountyMassacre case. Visiting Judge Jonathan Hein made it official with a ruling this morning, after indicating he would make the move during a hearing last week.


10:58 AM · Nov 27, 2024




@pattinewberry

Here's our updated coverage with Judge Hein's latest rulings:

https://cincinnati.com/story/news/2024/11/26/whos-who-in-pike-county-shootings-case-rhoden-wagner-family/76588979007/

https://twitter.com/x/status/1861812509604274678

 

[arielilane]

Judge rules Wagner patriarch's trial won't be held in Pike County

George "Billy" Wagner III won't go before a jury of his peers in Pike County when he faces trial for his alleged part in the murder of eight members of the Rhoden and Gilley families in 2016.

www.wcpo.com

11/25/2024



Edward "Jake" Wagner and his mother, Angela, will both be sentenced on December 17; Angela will officially be sentenced at 9 a.m. that day, while Jake will be sentenced at 11 a.m.

Jake, Angela Wagner scheduled to be sentenced before final Pike County murder trial begins

Two members of the Wagner family who took plea deals years ago will finally be sentenced, according to court records in Pike County.

www.wcpo.com

11/25/2024

 

[arielilane]

How about a change of ruling to sentence Angie to LWOP? Sounds more fitting. jmo

 

[rebelchild]

This whole situation just makes me feel sick for the victims and the prosecution .. I can't even believe a judge has that kind of power to do something like this to sabotage such a serious case. It just physically makes me ill.

 

[Cool Cats]

Bringing you coffee w/half & half and doughnuts.

Good.

I demand it!

 

[Cool Cats]

A miracle about Rita’s sentencing date or about Judge Hein trying to let Billy off the hook with some judicial sleight of hand?

The more I think about the judge’s attempts to tamper with the plea agreements and sentencing the confessed killers before they’ve testified, the more it seems this could end up in mistrials for all of the Wagners. Literally all 4 of them could end up being set free, even though two admitted they all murdered 8 innocent people as they slept.

I guess it’s time to start sending some emails and texts to the national news media.

ETA: It’s also interesting the judge is trying to do this just before Christmas, perhaps thinking the public won’t pay attention when it makes the news.

Anyone else thinking of going down there for the December 17 hearing?

I'm confused about the whole thing.

 

[Covert Operative]

I'm confused about the whole thing.

It will get really confusing and a tougher case to prosecute Billy if the judge also goes ahead and sentences Jake before Billy's trial, like he has planned at this time.

 

[Covert Operative]

How about a change of ruling to sentence Angie to LWOP? Sounds more fitting. jmo

He could go off script and not sentence Angela and Jake to what was agreed in their plea deal, I think. There has not been an indication tha the would but that does not mean anything. Surely he will at least relent and not sentence Jake beforehand.