Thursday, April 30th:
*Oral Arguments Hearing (
both Appeals) (@ 10am 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 (38). Hanna Rhoden's baby girl (5 days old), another baby (6 mos.) and a young child (3) were unharmed. (April 21-22, 2016, Pebbles) -
*Edward Jacob "Jake" Wagner (26/now 33) (former boyfriend of Hanna) indicted (11/12/18), arrested (11/13/18),
charged (11/15/18) & arraigned (11/27/18) with 8 counts aggravated murder, 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 5th degree obstructing justice, 1 count of 1st degree engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity & 1 count of 4th degree unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. (He’s accused of engaging in sexual contact with Hanna Rhoden when she was 15 & he was 20). Plead not guilty. Held without bond. DA will seek the DP. Judge Hein dismissed (11/27/24) DP specifications. Pike County Transferred (8/15/24} to Ohio’s Gallia County, located on the West Virginia border of 8/16/24. Wagner was transferred from Toledo Correction Institution [was there since mid-February, 2025 since his sentencing on 1/3/25]. The transfer took place on 4/1/25. The offender is now in the custody of another facility. The Correctional Reception Center (CRC) in Orient, Ohio. Jake has been moved to Wisconsin Detention Center, an undisclosed location.
Trial was set to begin on 8/30/21. Plead guilty (4/22/21) to all charges.
Judge Jonathan P. Hein presiding over sentencing hearing on 1/3/25. Appeal: Special prosecutor attorneys Steven L. Taylor & Seth L. Gilbert
Case & Court hearings from 11/27/18 thru 12/27/24 reference post #76 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...gner-family-members-arrested-89.732618/page-4
1/2/25 Docket update: Entry on Affidavit of Disqualification of Hon. Jonathan Hein filed 12/30/24 in the Supreme Court of Ohio. The Ohio Supreme Court has cleared the way for Friday hearings in the Pike County massacre case, denying a second attempt to unseat the judge on the case. Sentencing hearing on 1/3/25 @ 10am.
1/3/25 Update: Prosecutor Angela Canepa up first to address sentencing recommendations. Judge Hein just told co-counsel Ron O'Brien to be ready to step in, telling Canepa not to rehash earlier matters. If she doesn't, he will take disciplinary action, he said. Angela Canepa recommended that Jake Wagner be sentenced to the earlier agreed-on terms: max of eight consecutive sentences & 160 more years. Also asks court to go along with joint recommendation for Jake. That he receive maximum consecutive sentences. First victim statement to come from Andrea Shoemaker, mother of victim Hannah Hazel Gilley. Angela Canepa read two statements next. Bobby Jo Manley's is first. Canepa read statement of Gary Rhoden's step mother. Canepa also read a letter from Luke Rhoden, son of victim Kenneth Rhoden, asking for justice. A niece named Liese Wiegel read a letter on behalf of the Rhoden family called the Wagner family "master manipulators." To Jake, she said: "We are no longer family. You will be an afterthought to our family." Kirk McVay, attorney for Wagner, spoke about his earlier agreed-on sentence: max of eight consecutive life sentences without parole, with 160 more years. "Mr. Wagner entered his pleas knowingly.” McVay continued: Jake knows he cannot appeal his sentence. He has worked with Jake for six years & noted his cooperation with the prosecution. He asked the court to acknowledge days already served. Jake addressed the victims' family. He knows full well the weight of his crimes is bad enough that there's nothing he can do or say to end the hate & anger they feel. Two or 3 weeks later, he felt the full weight of his guilt over what he did. Judge Hein asked Wagner to wrap up his remarks then gave him two minutes to finish. "Forgiveness is a powerful thing," he said. He ended with this: "Jesus has a cost" but committing to him will transform their lives. "I do pray for you all." Hein told Wagner he doesn't consider religious beliefs in sentencing. Judge is going to reduce Jake's sentence. He's making Angela Wagner the bad guy in the whole thing. He's blaming it on the prosecution saying they should have sentenced him when Judge Deering was still on the bench. Judge is NOT signing the deal that was agreed on earlier. Hein issues sentence 8 life terms for aggravated murder. Max sentences for other charges including conspiracy for murder, aggravated burglary, corrupt acts. Instead, he is giving Wagner 32 years, with chance for parole after that. More detail: 12 years on the gun charges for Wagner, 20 years (concurrent) for the eight aggravated murders.
1/13/25 Update: Jake Wagner was admitted to the Correctional Reception Center in Orient on Monday.
2/12/25 Update: Wagner was transferred to another Department of Rehabilitation & Correction facility. The offender is now located at Toledo Correction Institution. The transfer took place on 2/12/25. 1/28/25 Docket update: Notice of appeal copy to attorney & 4 to Court of Appeals. 2/18/25 Docket update: Judgment entry-Notice of appeal is dismissed; appellant & his counsel indicate that this appeal was filed without his knowledge or authorization. Copes filed & emailed to counsel & 4 mailed to Court of Appeals.
Appeal #2025CA000935 filed 2/3/25 & Appeal #2025CA000939 filed 3/13/25.
Defense attorney Kathleen Evans. Special prosecutor attorneys Steven L. Taylor & Seth L. Gilbert
2/28/25 Docket update: Appellant, State of Ohio filed a Motion for Leave to Appeal & upon consideration, the motion is granted; the record shall be transmitted within 40 days of the journalization of this entry. Copes filed & emailed to Counsel & 4 to Court of Appeals.
4/1/25 Update: Wagner was transferred from Toledo Correction Institution. The transfer took place on 4/1/25. The offender is now in the custody of another facility. The Correctional Reception Center (CRC) in Orient, Ohio.
Appeal #2025CA000935 updates:
4/2/25 Docket update: Notice of transmission of record to Court of Appeals. 4/21/25 Docket update: entry granting application for reconsideration & granting in part & denying in part the State's motion for leave to appeal. 4/22/25 Docket update: Brief of plaintiff appellant State of Ohio filed. 4/25/25 Docket update: Motion to strike appellant State of Ohio's 4th assignment of error filed. 4/29/25 Docket update: Memorandum of plaintiff-Appellant State of Ohio opposing Defendant appellee's motion to strike 4th assignment of error filed.
5/6/25 Docket update: Motion for extension of time to file merit brief filed. 5/19/25 Docket update: Magistrate's Order-Appellee's motion for extension of time to file brief is granted; appellee shall file a brief within 20 days of the journalization of this Order. 5/23/25 Docket update: Entry-Appellee's motion to strike is granted' any reference to the 4th assignment of error in appellant's brief are stricken & shall be disregarded.
6/3/25 Docket update: Notice of State's memorandum in support of jurisdiction & motion to stay briefing filed. 6/5/25 Docket update: Notice of appeal to the Supreme Court of Ohio filed. 6/20/25 Docket update: Entry-Appellee's motion to stay is granted; all briefing deadlines are stayed until a decision of the Supreme Court of Ohio is issued; appellee's brief shall be due within 20 days of the filing of that decision.
8/26/25 Docket updates: Motion for extension of time to file merit brief filed by Kathleen Evans & Cassandra Goodpaster (with Fax). Motion for extension of time to file merit brief filed (Original) by Evans & Goodpaster.
9/3/25 Docket updates: Supplemental brief of plaintiff-appellant State of Ohio filed. 9/8/25 Docket update: Entry-the Supreme Court of Ohio declines to accept jurisdiction of the Appeal on this case. 9/17/25 Docket update: Motion for extension of time to file supplemental brief filed. 9/26/25 Docket update: Magistrate's Order-appellee's motion for extension of time to file brief is granted; appellee shall file a brief on or before 10/6/25.
10/9/25 Docket update: Merit brief & supplemental brief of appellee Wagner filed. Attorneys Kathleen Evans & Cassandra Goodpaster. Copies filed & returned to counsel by mail, 4 mailed to Court of Appeals. 10/16/25 Docket update: Reply Brief & Supplemental reply brief of plaintiff-appellant State of Ohio filed. Copies filed, returned to Counsel & 4 mailed to Court of Appeals.
12/17/25 Docket update: Motion to withdraw as Co-Counsel filed by Cassandra Goodpaster. 12/29/25 Docket Update: Magistrate's Order=Attorney Cassandra Goodpaster is granted leave to withdraw as co-Counsel; filed by attorney Kathleen Evans. Remains of record to represent appellee. Copies filed emailed to counsel & 4 mailed to the Court of Appeals.
4/1/26 Docket update: Magistrate's Order-The parties in this matter requested oral argument; upon consideration this matter is scheduled for oral arguments on Thursday, 4/30/26 @ 10am at the Ross County Courthouse; no continuance of oral argument will be granted unless a written motion establishing exceptional circumstances & good cause for the continuance is filed not later than 7 days after the journalization of this Order copies filed emailed/mailed to counsel & 4 mailed to Court of Appeals. 4/8/26 Docket updates: State's application to appoint special appellate prosecutors fil. Copies filed, returned to counsel by email & 4 mailed to Court of Appeals. Case hand delivered to Court of Appeals.
Appeal ##2025CA000939 updates:
4/10/25 Docket update: Motion to dismiss the State's appeal & response to the State's motion for leave to appeal filed. 4/21/25 Docket update: Memorandum of plaintiff-appellant State of Ohio opposing motion to dismiss filed.
6/4/25 Docket update: Entry-Granting in part & denying in part the State's motion for leave to appeal; entry denying Wagner's motion to dismiss & consolidation Order filed. 6/20/25 Docket update: Entry-Appellee's motion to stay is granted; all briefing deadlines are stayed until a decision of the Supreme Court of Ohio is issued; appellee's brief shall be due within 20 days of the filing of that decision.
8/26/25 Docket update: Motion for extension of time to file merit brief (via Fax) filed by Kathleen Evans & Cassdandra Goodpaster.
9/3/25 Docket update: Supplemental brief of plaintiff-appellant State of Ohio filed. 9/15/25 Docket update: Magistrate's Order-Appellee's 2nd motion for extension of time to file his brief is granted; appellee shall filed a brief within 20 days of the journalization of this Order. 9/17/25 Docket update: Motion for extension of time to file supplemental brief filed.
10/9/25 Docket update: Merit brief & supplemental brief of appellee Wagner filed. Attorneys Kathleen Evans & Cassandra Goodpaster. Copies filed & returned to counsel by mail, 4 mailed to Court of Appeals. See post #1003, page 51, thread #89. 10/14/25 Docket update: Reply Brief & Supplemental reply brief of plaintiff-appellant State of Ohio filed. Copies filed, returned to Counsel & 4 mailed to Court of Appeals. Jake has been moved to Wisconsin Detention Center, an undisclosed location.
12/17/25 Docket update: Motion to withdraw as Co-Counsel filed by Cassandra Goodpaster. 12/29/25 Docket Update: Magistrate's Order-Attorney Cassandra Goodpaster is granted leave to withdraw as co-Counsel; filed by attorney Kathleen Evans. Remains of record to represent appellee. Copies filed emailed to counsel & 4 mailed to the Court of Appeals.
4/1/26 Docket update: Magistrate's Order-The parties in this matter requested oral argument; upon consideration this matter is scheduled for oral arguments on Thursday, 4/30/26 @ 10am at the Ross County Courthouse; no continuance of oral argument will be granted unless a written motion establishing exceptional circumstances & good cause for the continuance is filed not later than 7 days after the journalization of this Order copies filed emailed/mailed to counsel & 4 mailed to Court of Appeals. The State wants to have those sentences overturned until after Billy's trial. See post #1133, page 57, thread #89.
4/8/26 Docket updates: State's application to appoint special appellate prosecutors fil. Copies filed, returned to counsel by email & 4 mailed to Court of Appeals. Case hand delivered to Court of Appeals.
4/20/26 Docket updates: Entry-Appellant's motion to appoint Special prosecutors to assist in the appeal is granted; Attorneys Steven L. Taylor & Seth L. Gilbert are appointed to assist the appellant. Copies filed/emailed to Counsel & 4 mailed to COA. Notice of appearance for Seth L. Gilbert & Steven L. Taylor.
