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

[Betty P]

They normally are randomly chosen. Here is what Judge Hein said when asked that very question.

Judge Hein quote:

"How I ended up here is beyond me because you get a call from Columbus with an invitation to help a judge out. They don't even explain why. They just say we have a need - will you take the case."


This PDF explains it more thoroughly.

https://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/JCS/judgeAssignGuide.pdf

Kind of what I remembered, its like a lottery or something.

 

[LMDlong]

A few new motions filed on CourtView .
Billy
12/10/2024 Appointment of lead appellate counsel on T.R crime victims appeal of order granting change of venue filed.
12/11/2024 Defendant’s motion in liming to preclude the introduction of evidence of other crimes,wrongs or acts alleged of the defendant under evidence .
Angela and Jake
12/09/2024 Notice of appearance of counsel for T.R. A victim
Rita
12/06/2024
Sentencing rescheduled from 12/17 to 12/23 at 11am .

 

[Covert Operative]

A few new motions filed on CourtView .
Billy
12/10/2024 Appointment of lead appellate counsel on T.R crime victims appeal of order granting change of venue filed.
12/11/2024 Defendant’s motion in liming to preclude the introduction of evidence of other crimes,wrongs or acts alleged of the defendant under evidence .
Angela and Jake
12/09/2024 Notice of appearance of counsel for T.R. A victim
Rita
12/06/2024
Sentencing rescheduled from 12/17 to 12/23 at 11am .

Canepa filed with the supreme court to have Judge Hein removed from the case. There is a case number but I cannot seem to get it to pull up in the Supreme Courts site to post a link. It is interesting as to what has gone on behind the scenes.

 

[Betty P]

Canepa filed with the supreme court to have Judge Hein removed from the case. There is a case number but I cannot seem to get it to pull up in the Supreme Courts site to post a link. It is interesting as to what has gone on behind the scenes.

Very interesting. It's the current OH Supremes, right? I hope they get to make the decision. Don't know much about the newly elected members, but it doesn't sound good with them.

 

[LMDlong]

Canepa filed with the supreme court to have Judge Hein removed from the case. There is a case number but I cannot seem to get it to pull up in the Supreme Courts site to post a link. It is interesting as to what has gone on behind the scenes.

I hope the Supreme Court does something before next week.

 

[Covert Operative]

I hope the Supreme Court does something before next week.

Proceedings for 16th and 17th are cancelled now. Not sure who cancelled them but I assume the judge did.
12/12/2024JUDGMENT ENTRY - CANCELLING PROCEEDINGS FOR MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2024; PROCEEDINGS WILL BE RESCHEDULED AT A LATER DATE
12/12/2024JUDGMENT ENTRY - CANCELLING PROCEEDINGS FOR TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2024; PROCEEDINGS WILL BE RESCHEDULED AT A LATER DATE

 

[twall]

Canepa filed with the supreme court to have Judge Hein removed from the case. There is a case number but I cannot seem to get it to pull up in the Supreme Courts site to post a link. It is interesting as to what has gone on behind the scenes.

Good for her! I will find and read when I get to my laptop.

 

[Niner]

Proceedings for 16th and 17th are cancelled now. Not sure who cancelled them but I assume the judge did.
12/12/2024JUDGMENT ENTRY - CANCELLING PROCEEDINGS FOR MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2024; PROCEEDINGS WILL BE RESCHEDULED AT A LATER DATE
12/12/2024JUDGMENT ENTRY - CANCELLING PROCEEDINGS FOR TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2024; PROCEEDINGS WILL BE RESCHEDULED AT A LATER DATE

Probably the 12/23 Rita's sentencing was also cancelling - she is probably included in the 12/17 ones....

 

[Caylee Advocate]

Chaos in Pike County: Filings likely to delay final massacre trial

Just weeks before the final trial in the 2016 Pike County massacre case is set to start, a flurry of filings has virtually assured its delay.

www.fox19.com

 

[Puzzles8]

Chaos in Pike County: Filings likely to delay final massacre trial

Just weeks before the final trial in the 2016 Pike County massacre case is set to start, a flurry of filings has virtually assured its delay.

www.fox19.com

No, tell me it is not so!
Good thing I only marked the trial date in pencil on my January 2025 calendar.

JMO

 

[Caylee Advocate]

Posted wrong link before but here ya' go.... AGAIN

Legal battles could delay trial of Billy Wagner in Piketon Massacre case - Scioto Valley Guardian

PIKETON, Ohio – The trial of George "Billy" Wagner III, accused in the Piketon Massacre, may face significant delays due to ongoing legal disputes. Visiting Judge Jonathan Hein granted a defense motion in November to relocate the trial outside Pike County, citing concerns about finding an...

sciotovalleyguardian.com

 

[arielilane]

@pattinewberry

Lots of moving parts in the Pike County case, even with Billy Wagner still scheduled to be tried on murder charges starting Jan. 6.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1866891333631103318

@pattinewberry

From today's online Enquirer (and in print on Sunday): Meet Billy Wagner, patriarch of southern Ohio's Wagner family, soon to be tried in the 2016 Pike County massacre.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1867161312272511154

 

[arielilane]

@jamespilcher

BREAKING: Visiting Judge Hein cancels Monday hearing for George "Billy" Wagner III on Monday and sentencing for his son Jake and Angela on Tuesday - this comes after prosecution and victims advocates file for appeal on recent decisions. No dates rescheduled yet.



11:54 AM · Dec 12, 2024

https://twitter.com/x/status/1867251712286711925

 

[Caylee Advocate]

Oooh, AC glaring at someone using her mean girl look.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1863983824675176899

 

[LMDlong]

I was reading about Judge Hein . One case stuck out to me . In August of 2024 David Myers was released without bail after serving nearly 30 years behind bars for the murder of Amanda Maher granting him a new trial .

 

[Seattle1]

I was reading about Judge Hein . One case stuck out to me . In August of 2024 David Myers was released without bail after serving nearly 30 years behind bars for the murder of Amanda Maher granting him a new trial .

I'm not familiar with this case but Myers was also released on house arrest and on GPS monitor.

Prosecution is reportedly appealing both his release and decision to grant him a new trial. Not to get in the weeds but given he was previously sentenced to death -- the evidence granting him a new trial after 30+ years must be pretty compelling. They also dropped the charges in 1991 before recharging him years later. I dunno-- seems the case has been iffy from the beginning. He could very well be innocent!

To be clear, doesn't excuse Judge Hein's rulings on this case and the best news I've heard all day is AC going to the Supreme Court seeking to remove him from this case!

MOO

https://www.wdtn.com/as-seen-on-2-news/railroad-spike-murder-suspect-released-on-house-arrest/

 

[Niner]

Do not know IF this was posted yet - from the court site on Billy's Appeal being filed.

2024CA000931 STATE OF OHIO VS. WAGNER, III, GEORGE WASHINGTON
Case Type: COURT OF APPEALS
Case Status: Open
File Date 12/02/2024
Action: COURT OF APPEALS
Case Judge:
Next Event:

Docket Information
Date Docket Text Image Avail.
12/02/2024 COURT OF APPEALS FILING FEE
12/02/2024 NOTICE OF APPEAL
COPY TO ATTY 4 TO COURT OF APPEALS
12/02/2024 CRIMINAL DOCKET STATEMENT AND ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR
12/02/2024 STATEMENT, PRAECIPE AND NOTICE TO COURT REPORTER
12/02/2024 COPIES FILED FAXED TO COURT OF APPEALS AND MAILED TO COUNSEL FOR DEFENDANT

12/06/2024 MOTION FOR STAY - EXPEDITED CONSIDERATION REQUESTED
Attorney: CANEPA, ANGELA R

12/13/2024 DEFENDANT-APPELLEE'S RESPONSE TO STATE'S MOTION FOR STAY FILED
Attorney: GATTERDAM, KORT W
Attorney: COLLINS, MARK C
Attorney: HAYES, THOMAS F
12/13/2024 NOTICE OF APPEARANCE
Attorney: GATTERDAM, KORT W

link: https://cpcourt.pikecounty.oh.gov/eservices/searchresults.page?x=Lk1Ie-9T3gUcP0M2izBEmw


and the I "thought" I clicked on GW4's appeal - but there is another one for Billy: ??



2024CA000932 STATE OF OHIO VS. WAGNER, III, GEORGE WASHINGTON
Case Type: COURT OF APPEALS
Case Status: Open
File Date 12/09/2024
Action: COURT OF APPEALS
Case Judge:
Next Event:

Docket Information
Date Docket Text Image Avail.
12/09/2024 COURT OF APPEALS FILING FEE Receipt: 42285 Date: 12/09/2024
12/09/2024 COURT OF APPEALS DEPOSIT Receipt: 42285 Date: 12/09/2024
12/09/2024 NOTICE OF APPEAL
COPY TO ATTY 4 TO COURT OF APPEALS, EMAILED TO ALL COUNSEL
12/09/2024 CRIMINAL DOCKET STATEMENT FILED
12/09/2024 STATEMENT, PRAECIPE, AND NOTICE TO THE COURT REPORTER
COPY EMAILED TO REPORTER

same link as above. And nothing new on GW4's appeal.

and for Rita - looks like her sentencing is still on...

Events:
Date Type Event Judge Result
12/17/2024 01:00 PM SENTENCING JUNK, ROBERT RESCHEDULED

12/23/2024 11:00 AM SENTENCING JUNK, ROBERT
CourtView Justice Solutions Inc. an equivant company, Copyright 2024 v1.42.00

Docket
Date Docket Text
12/06/2024 """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Judge: JUNK, ROBERT
Event: SENTENCING
Date: 12/23/2024 Time: 11:00 AM

12/06/2024 ENTRY GRANTING CONTINUANCE OF SENTENCING HEARING FROM DECEMBER 17, 2024 TO DECEMBER 23, 2024 AT 11:00AM; DEFENDANTS PERIOD OF SPEEDY TRIAL TIME IS TOLLED THROUGHOUT PERIOD OF SUCH CONTINUANCE

same link as above..

 

[Niner]

I am going to go ahead & post this - so I can shorten it up a bit.

Monday, Dec. 16th:
*Pretrial Hearing-CANCELLED! (@ 1pm 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 53) (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, [Dismissed 11/27/24: (plus gun specifications on each)], (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. Was permanently moved (9/13/24) to the Pickaway County Jail in Circleville, *Pike County
Trial set to begin on 1/6/25. (should last 8 weeks).
Presiding Judge Jonathan P. Hein replaced (on 5/29/24) Judge R. Alan Corbin [health reasons]. Prosecutor Angela R. Canepa & defense attorneys Mark C. Collins & Thomas F, Hayes.
Case & court information from 12/4/18 thru 11/4/24 reference post #845 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/...ner-family-members-arrested-88.674961/page-43
11/5/24 Docket update: Motion to continue pretrial hearing set for 11/6/24. Entry granting joint request for continuance of pretrial from 11/6/24 to 11/20/24 @ 1pm. Entry-Warrant for removal issued 11/4/24 is withdrawn. Warrant for removal from Pickaway County jail on 11/20/24.
11/20/24 Docket update: State's application to appoint Special Assistant Prosecution filed by Angela Canepa. Entry appointing Robert J. O'Brien, attorney at law, as Special Prosecutor filed. State's supplemental discovery & Notice of intention to use evidence filed by Canepa. State's supplemental exhibits to State's memorandum contra defendant's amended motion for change of venue filed by Canepa.
11/20/24 Update: Visiting Judge Hein says pretrial hearing off record meetings in chambers are not happening anymore. Says he wants Wagner involved in all steps from here on out. Lots of discussion on discovery & whittling down witness lists - the prosecution has 357 possible names. But defense is going to stipulate to a lot more than the previous trial of Jake Wagner. Judge Hein says he has answer to change of venue on his desk but not quite ready to file it. Now arguing over death penalty specifications arguments. Death penalty would be waived if Jake & Angela Wagner testify against Billy to prosecution's satisfaction. Two sides trying to craft an agreement to be entered before trial. Correction on previous only Jake had that agreement not Angela. By Judge Hein - death penalty is now gone from this trial. Go ahead & sentence Angela Wagner. Canepa objects strongly. Says can't dismiss death specs without motion of state. Says will delay Jan 3 start date. "no legal basis to do this”. Hein says he is going to schedule sentencing of Angela & Jake ahead of trials. This is about seeking finality he says. This can't keep going if not going. Leaves door open for an agreement before he files his ruling. In the end, Hein issued a bench ruling about death penalty specs & sentencing Jake & Angela but not official yet. Gave two sides until Monday, 11/25/24 to get final agreement that would lift it but also force Jake to testify. Next pretrial hearing on 12/16/24 @ 1pm.
11/25/24 Docket update: DECISION: Granting Motion for Change of Venue filed. emailed to Counsel. 11/25/24 Docket update: Memorandum of State of Ohio opposing Dismissal of Capital specifications filed by Angela Canepa. See post #900, page 45 for more info.
11/27/24 Docket update: Judgment entry-Dismissing Death Penalty Specifications by Judge Jonathan P. Hein. For more info see post #911 here: https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...ner-family-members-arrested-88.674961/page-46 11/27/24 Docket update: Judgment entry-Dismissing various pending motions by defendant filed.
11/29/24 Docket update: Judge Jonathan P. Hein has filed a Notice: Invitation for Further Argument re death penalty dismissal. Court will hear arguments on the 12/16/24 hearing.
12/2/24 Docket update: Court of Appeals #2024CA000931. Court of Appeals filing fee. Notice of appeal/copy to attorney & 4 to Court of Appeals. Criminal docket statement & assignments of error. Statement, praecipe & notice to court reporter. Copies filed faxed to Court of Appeals & mailed to Counsel for defendant.
12/2/24 Docket updates: Entry-Notice of invitation for further argument filed by Judge Hein. Motion for Stay [& to have Judge Hein removed from case] filed by Angela Canepa. Notice of Appeal filed-see Case #2024CA000911. 12/3/24 Docket updates: Notice of appearance of co-counsel for the State, attorney Ronald J. O'Brien Judgment entry-Denying in part the State's Motion for Stay. copies emailed to counsel by assignment commissioner.
12/10/24 Docket update: Appointment of lead appellate counsel on T.R crime victims appeal of order granting change of venue filed. 12/11/24 Docket update: Defendant’s motion in liming to preclude the introduction of evidence of other crimes, wrongs or acts alleged of the defendant under evidence.
12/12/24 Docket update: Judgment entry: Cancelling proceedings for 12/16/24; proceedings will be rescheduled at a later date.
Appeal case #2024CA000931 State of Ohio vs. Wagner, III, George Washington. Case Status: Open File Date 12/2/24. Action: Court of Appeals.
12/2/24 Docket updates: Court of Appeals filing fee. Notice of Appeal. Copy to attorney & 4 to Court of Appeals. Criminal docket statement & assignments of error. Statement, praecipe & notice to court reporter. Copies filed faxed to Court of Appeals & mailed to counsel for defendant. 12/6/24 Docket update: Motion for Stay-expedited consideration requested filed by attorney Angela R. Canepa. 12/13/24 Docket updates: Defendant appellee's response to State's Motion for Stay filed by attorneys Kurt W. Gatterdam, Mark C. Collins, Thomas F. Hayes. Notice of appearance of Kurt W. Gatterdam.
Appeal Case #2024CA000932 State of Ohio vs. Wagner, III, George Washington. Court of Appeals. Case Status: Open on 12/9/24. Action: Court of Appeals.
12/9/24 Docket updates: Court of Appeals filing fee; receipt: 42285 on 12/9/24, Court of Appeals deposit. Notice of Appeal. Copy to attorney & 4 to court of appeals, emailed to all counsel. Criminal docket statement filed. Statement, praecipe & notice to the court reporter. Copy emailed to Reporter.

 

[Covert Operative]

[td]12/13/2024[/td][td]ENTRY ON AFFIDAVIT OF DISQUALIFICATION OF HON. JONATHAN HEIN FILED 12-10-2024 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF OHIO[/td]

I have tried to post the Affidavit of Disqualification filed on 12-10 with the Supreme Court but it will not upload. I am not sure why.

 

[Betty P]

[td]12/13/2024[/td][td]ENTRY ON AFFIDAVIT OF DISQUALIFICATION OF HON. JONATHAN HEIN FILED 12-10-2024 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF OHIO[/td]

I have tried to post the Affidavit of Disqualification filed on 12-10 with the Supreme Court but it will not upload. I am not sure why.

It worked ok for me. Drastic measure and certainly unflattering for the judge, but he was heading in the wrong direction, so to speak.

Filed Dec. 13 with Pike County clerk

OH Chief Justice of Supreme Court orders Judge Hein to respond, in detail to each allegation. Upon receipt of Judge Hein's response, the court will review and render a decision.