OH - Pike Co - 8 in Rhoden Family Murdered - 4 Wagner Family Members Arrested #89

[joe jones]

To me this may have started to unravel when JW suddenly out of the blue made the statement (during GW trial) that BW took his gun and shot FR, seems JW was still helping LE, and ensuring BW may not want to go to trial now JW was alledging BW shot more victims,
And as for the judge being opposed to LWOP I didn't think that, he seems to say GW deserves LWOP for choosing to go to trial and all the time and expense of that when he should have cooperated like JW and AW

 

[Betty P]

The deep pockets of FW go way beyond we even suspected…JMO

And her pockets probably aren't that deep. It would surprise many to know how little it can cost to buy influence in government. JMO

 

[arielilane]

@jamespilcher


We're in recess. But family not talking to media as of now. Judge Hein also gave Jake credit for time served, meaning he would be eligible for parole in 2051. Angela's lawyer says she is ready to testify against Billy. Not able to talk to Jake's lawyer yet to confirm



12:27 PM · Jan 3, 2025

 

[MTW2011]

This won’t be popular but I’m just trying to understand Canepa a bit more. Apparently the Judge gave her the opportunity to submit her objections in writing (and she didn’t?) and instead objected multiple times today and the Judge was not having it.

It’s completely understandable why feelings and tensions are high, she’s fighting for justice and for the victims, but by now hasn’t she seen how the Judge acts and reacts to her? She knows his conduct well, that’s why she’s trying to get him removed from the case no? Seems to me that doing what the Judge asked, in this instance, would be like “a little goes a long way” with him. It’s hard to see this because it feels like it’s ultimately getting the Proseuctor away from the very goal she’s trying to reach but JMOO.

 

[LMDlong]

I won’t be surprised if Billy gets 30 years .
I feel for the families. Judge Hein basically slapped them in the face.
Not going to to say more now because I will probably get kicked out of this group.

 

[joe jones]

I don't think there is anything nefarious, as the judge said AC could have had a sentencing hearing pre Judge Deering leaving and had JW and AW sentences, they could have put in there plea deals that if they did not testify against BW their deals would be voided and they would go to trial with the DP as possible punishment, I am no lawyer but even I could have worded a plea agreement that allowed for them to be sentenced with enough threat that they testify against BW
All this mess is on the state, they have had years to get JW and AW sentenced and chose not too
It is very hard to change a plea agreement once sentencing has happened

 

[Betty P]

So sad watching the replay of Jake's sermon to the Rhoden and Gilley family members, with the family bent over, sobbing. Pure evil in that court room today.

 

[rescuemom]

I don't know this guys's background but he sure has a problem with WOMEN. CANEPA, VICTIM ADVOCATE, TALKING DOWN TO RIATA AND AW. Jake got 32 years with possiblility of pareole. I won't be here to see that. What a sh*t show!!!!!! IMO

 

[Betty P]

I don't think there is anything nefarious, as the judge said AC could have had a sentencing hearing pre Judge Deering leaving and had JW and AW sentences, they could have put in there plea deals that if they did not testify against BW their deals would be voided and they would go to trial with the DP as possible punishment, I am no lawyer but even I could have worded a plea agreement that allowed for them to be sentenced with enough threat that they testify against BW
All this mess is on the state, they have had years to get JW and AW sentenced and chose not too
It is very hard to change a plea agreement once sentencing has happened

The problem with that argument. Part of the terms of their plea agreement is that they testify against the other two defendants in their trials. They couldn't sentence them before the end of Billy's trial because they needed them to testify in his trial, too.

Because Judge Hein sentenced them prematurely, they don't have to testify in Billy's trial. That's likely the plan that defense and FW cooked up to get Billy acquitted. That was the goal, JMO

 

[rescuemom]

I would think that both JW and AW will testify only to keep their cooperation on the record. At this rate BW should take a plea given that GW because he went to trial got LWOP.

 

[arielilane]

@ToddDykesWLWT


I’m back in Pike Co., OH, today, covering the sentencing hearings for confessed killer Angela Wagner & her son, Jake. She helped plot the deaths of 8 members of the Rhoden family in 2016 & he was one of the murderers. The courtroom is filled w/ loved ones of the victims.



Upon entering the courtroom, prosecutor Angela Canepa hugged Tony Rhoden, who lost his brother Chris and 7 other loved ones in the middle of a single night, execution-style.


The first person to be sentenced today in connex to the 2016 #PikeCountyMassacre case will be Rita Newcomb, Angela Wagner’s mother. Ms. Newcomb pleaded guilty to forging documents related to the murders.


Deputies just led Jake Wagner into the courtroom. He will witness his grandmother, Ms. Newcomb, be sentenced.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1875200506630721681

Angela Wagner is now in the courtroom, sitting about 20 feet away from her mother, Ms. Newcomb. The victims’ loved ones are holding strong. They’re in the presence of people who plotted & killed 8 family members.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1875201020713898184

Pretty chilling to see Angela & Jake Wagner sitting just a few feet from each other. The mother and son have not exchanged many glances, if any.


Andrea Shoemaker, the mother of murder victim Hannah Gilley, is blasting Rita Newcomb, Angela Wagner and Jake Wagner during this sentencing hearing.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1875206406451982339

Ms. Shoemaker called Jake Wagner and his convicted killer brother George Wagner Jr. spawns of satan.. She called the father of the two men, Billy Wagner (who’s yet to go on trial), satan himself.


During her sentencing, Rita Newcomb just said “I’m sorry.” She testified for the State during the murder trial of her grandson George Wagner Jr.


The judge sentenced Ms Newcomb to 5 years of adult supervision. Sentencing for her daughter, Angela Wagner, is now underway. I’ll be watching closely to see if she has any words for members of the Rhoden family.


Jake Wagner is looking at his mother, Angela, while her attorney shares his thoughts with Judge Jonathan Hein. The attorney is not asking for a different sentence that was agreed to (in principle) when Angela confessed in 2020 - a sentence of 30 years in prison.


Angela Wagner is speaking. She says she knows the pain the Rhodens feel must be “unbearable.” She cited her personal brokenness for letting her get swept up in the murderous scheme.


Angela Wagner’s mother, Rita Newcomb, is still in the courtroom - to find out her daughter’s official sentence. I’m sitting about 4 feet away from her in the gallery.


The mutually recommended sentence for Angela Wagner is 30 years. Judge Hein just agreed to the 30 years, though he switched up some of already agreed upon time frames for certain criminal counts.

 

[joe jones]

The problem with that argument. Part of the terms of their plea agreement is that they testify against the other two defendants in their trials. They couldn't sentence them before the end of Billy's trial because they needed them to testify in his trial, too.

They could very easily have been sentenced, as per my post you put conditions on the plea deal, and if they don't do those conditions ie testify then the plea deal with the favourable sentence gets voided and they get made to go to trial,
If that is not legal I would still have sentenced them post GW, as my favourite new expression AC FAAFO today, she had no idea what judge she would get so she took huge risks and it has backfired, the families must be distraught

 

[arielilane]

It’s now Jake Wagner’s turn to be sentenced.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1875216685344669916

The mutually agree upon sentence in Jake Wagner’s case - after he confessed - is 8 consecutive sentences of life in prison w/ out parole. The defendant’s attorney is speaking to Judge Hein right now. Watch: #WLWT



Jake Wagner is addressing members of the Rhoden family. 1/2

x.com

x.com

2/2 Jake Wagner says he’s not asking for forgiveness but says “hate will not hear your heart.” He says Jesus made him get caught.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1875220175211131336

Several members of the Rhoden family just walked out of the courtroom. Jake Wagner is still speaking. He just referenced the “superficial faith” he says he once had. Watch: #WLWT


Confessed killer Jake Wagner spoke for nearly 15 minutes. Afterward, Judge Hein gave him the opportunity of parole b/c Mr. Wagner cooperated w/ investigators. So life in prison - but now w/ a chance for parole (in 32 years).


After the judge sentenced Jake Wagner, the niece of three murder victims, was overcome with emotion.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1875226581544923317

Judge Hein changed the sentence both the prosecution and defense agreed to after Jake Wagner confessed b/c he said his Jake’s brother got life w/out parole after going to trial. He then cited the 30 yr sentence Jake and George Jr’s mom got. Unexpected development, for sure.

 

[KentuckyMama]

Can anything be done legally at this point to deal with the mess this judge is making? Is there any option now to remove him from this case? What a horrible career choice for a person with no empathy or respect towards the law or victims.

I just don't understand how the only one (GW4) that apparently didn't plan or kill gets a longer sentence than those that did. Insanity.

 

[arielilane]

@jamespilcher


Hein says sentences were a case of "gender bias" given that Angela was involved in everything except pulling trigger and could have stopped it and got good deal.


I just spoke to Jake's lawyer - who says Jake still bound by original plea deal to testify against father Billy in his upcoming trial. But that he hasn't specifically asked Jake if he will do that.
@local12


12:47 PM · Jan 3, 2025

 

[Betty P]

They could very easily have been sentenced, as per my post you put conditions on the plea deal, and if they don't do those conditions ie testify then the plea deal with the favourable sentence gets voided and they get made to go to trial,
If that is not legal I would still have sentenced them post GW, as my favourite new expression AC FAAFO today, she had no idea what judge she would get so she took huge risks and it has backfired, the families must be distraught

AC had no control over the choice of the judge. She knew a long time ago that he was bad. She went to the Ohio Supreme Court twice to get him removed. She was betrayed, probably by Junk and others, possibly also the Ohio AG, who didn't like the case at all.

Gov. DeWine should have stepped in to keep these creeps from getting such light sentences.

 

[justtrish]

From his remarks it seems there were issues with the plea agreements, and this judge was bought in to fix the problems, it may have been that not giving JW and AW more for there cooperation needed addressing as LE always wants people to cooperate,
But the system is completely unfair if a person uses there constitutional rights to go to trial and gets LWOP but hasn't murdered anybody but a 5 time admitted murderer gets 32 years minus the approximate 6 years pre trial taken off, GW gets no relief for those 6 years, JW will not even be 60 when he becomes parole eligible

I'd say Jakes deal was not getting put to death.. he cooperated because he wanted to live and he wanted his family to live.. that was the deal and I don't see how this judge can do this.. it makes no sense. If you kill 8 people and are facing death, I'd say cooperating for LWOP is a great compromise. Nobody killing 8 people should ever expect a deal to include parole.. I mean come on.. this was not a single murder committed in the heat of the moment, they planned it for months and months and hit it and covered up their crimes and were free for 2 years.

 

[arielilane]

The judge sent a wrong message today, imo.

 

[Betty P]

@jamespilcher


Hein says sentences were a case of "gender bias" given that Angela was involved in everything except pulling trigger and could have stopped it and got good deal.


I just spoke to Jake's lawyer - who says Jake still bound by original plea deal to testify against father Billy in his upcoming trial. But that he hasn't specifically asked Jake if he will do that.
@local12


12:47 PM · Jan 3, 2025

Sounds like he's talking out of both sides of his mouth. Jake is either bound by the plea deal or he isn't. If he is still bound, there's no point in asking him if he will do that. He will, whether he wants to or not.

Personally, I don't believe anything that any of these defense attorneys say.

 

[joe jones]

Can anything be done legally at this point to deal with the mess this judge is making? Is there any option now to remove him from this case? What a horrible career choice for a person with no empathy or respect towards the law or victims.

I think he was fully respectful towards the law, and as he kept saying he doesn't take into account the victim impact statements or the statements of the defendants, he is there to apply the law, and I doubt he went out on a limb to change the plea agreements on his own, he is retired so he was chosen to sentence AW and JW, plus try BW,
His record will be known to those who selected him, so they would have had a good idea of what he may do, they could have selected a judge who would have kept the pleas as they were
So to me he in that Judicial circuit was not the only one who saw issues with the plea agreements, he was possibly not the only Judge who felt they needed ammending