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

[MTW2011]

Based on Jake’s comments today, I think people should be prepared for him to possibly act in a similar way when he is set to testify/uphold his part of the plea deal. Whether or not (if he defies his agreement with the State) that will open another can of worms and possibly affect his sentence, I’m not sure; but I sure hope the State is prepared for that possibility. JMOO

 

[abeaman02]

It sounds like the Judge has the same opinion of women the Wagners had. The victims are nothing to him and he is applauding Jake for being "a man" for testifying, almost saying it was an honorable thing to do. He is disgusting, and I am so ssorry for the victims family's. I do fear BW may walk or get time served.

 

[sunshineray]

This is where I heard him saying Jake will get the opportunity to get parole in 20 years. It's pretty clear. Later he says 32 years, so I'd like for him to clarify that. I'm very uncomfortable with the way he throws around his comments, often vague, sometimes inaccurate. That's not how judges are supposed to talk in court, JMO. He seemed so inappropriately friendly towards Jake and happy to share with him how quickly he can try for parole. He seemed very pleased with himself for having reduced the sentence of a cold blooded mass murderer.

Contrast that with the way he shouted at the surviving family members and prosecution witnesses at the beginning of the trial, threatening to throw them out of court before they even had a chance to testify, before they said a word.

I'm spitting nails, watched Andrea and then EJW saying everyone else's sins are as bad as his, you can't say his are worse...preaching to the victim's family members about THEIR sins!!??

THEN this...judge?...demolishes EJW's "ancient" plea agreement!!!?? This monster can be considered for parole after 20 years, for planning and killing eight people in cold blood while they slept, some with their babies in their arms.

Who IS this so-called judge? What gives him the right to change his sentence so dramatically, with such disregard for the victims this monster slaughtered!?

I'm beyond disgusted and hope the State of Ohio AG challenges this all the way to the State Supremes if necessary. 20 or 32 years for 8 lives!? I think BW should now be up against the DP too, since EJW reneged on the deal. That was the deal wasn't it? Did this <modsnip - namecalling> judge mention that at all?

Just cannot fathom this at all. Above is AJMO

 

[sunshineray]

I’m *NOT* at all saying I agree with the Judge, but I do believe that the State did not help their own cause (and thereby it also affected the victims’ families) today. Whether or not some of his decisions were based more on feelings than (legal) factual findings, who knows, but it’s been very obvious the tensions btwn him and Canepa.

Hate to be a broken record here but I’m just struggling to understand why Canepa still chose to act in ways that (the Judge made this clear) bothered him. I’m also NOT saying she acted inappropriately in any way, but when the Judge said she could’ve filed written objections, it would’ve helped her case (IMOO) if she could’ve said “we did that”. If when he told her to stop interrupting him, she remained silent, that may have helped her case. If one of the other state attorneys handled more of today, that may have helped getting the State more of what they wanted. This does NOT excuse how the Judge has been acted or the decisions he’s making, but I think if you know he is setting the rules, it would probably help to try your best to appease him and follow those - no matter how frustrating and downright ridiculous they may seem/are.

I can’t imagine being in her position, but I think some of her feelings are really getting into this mix of things and it’s helping no one (except those who were sentenced today). I’m sorry, this is just my opinion.

Sounds to me like this judge should be looked into. He doesn't get to be downright ridiculous about anything. He's suppose to be judicious. MO

 

[sunshineray]

I am just flabbergasted at JW's sentence. Judge Hein thought AW got a lean sentence when she could have prevented everything by picking up the phone? Yet the one with the gun, who shot the woman nursing his baby (not to mention others) was slighted and being treated harsher (and with gender bias), so he fixed that??

I don't mean to impugn the judge but holy moly, I can't follow that logic. And thinking it was proper that the one who got LWOP, who didn't shoot anyone, was justified in getting that sentence because he went to trial? Oh how can a judge think that way?

I don't post much on this case but I have always thought it was JW and AW, and only them who committed these horrendous murders, master manipulators the both, and got a deal with the devil to throw brother/son and father/husband under the semi truck.

George and Billy are no saints in my mind, far from it, but I don't think they played the role in these crimes that JW and AW would have everyone think, I just don't.

I can't fathom what this judge did nor his reasoning, AT ALL. As far as BW goes, he as guilty as the rest of them. He was there and I don't believe for a minute that he didn't fire his weapon into a living person. MO

 

[MTW2011]

I can't fathom what this judge did nor his reasoning, AT ALL. As far as BW goes, he as guilty as the rest of them. He was there and I don't believe for a minute that he didn't fire his weapon into a living person. MO

Just a few of his decisions in previous years:

Judge Hein grants new trial for death row inmate l

Person plead guilty to involuntary manslaughter, Judge Hein sentenced him to 4 years

Man found guilty of killing his wife, State sought life in prison without parole possibility, Judge Hein sentenced him to life with parole possibility after 20

Man facing charges of felonious assault, a felony of the second degree, and count two of domestic violence, a misdemeanor of the first degree and was facing 6 months in jail, Judge Hein gave him 24 months of community service instead.

These are just a very small sample of his sentencing decisions on other cases, but I’m going to keep searching more. I’m interested in seeing how often he may have departed downwards from the recommendations from prosecutors and/or the law.

 

[Betty P]

take a look at this letter Judge Hein once wrote to the House Finance Subcommittee on his support for what he called “TCAP” or “Targeted Community Alternatives to Prison”. It explains some of his thought process on sentencing for certain lower level crimes; I think it’s interesting in light of the comments and sentences he imposed today. You can read it at the link below.

https://search-prod.lis.state.oh.us/api/v2/general_assembly_132/committees/cmte_h_transportation_sub_1/meetings/cmte_h_transportation_sub_1_2017-03-21-0130_292/testimony/1135/uploaded-doc/

It depends on how you define “low level offender” for these kinds of programs. Too often judges only look at the level of the offense, but not at whether the convict has a history of violence, sex offenses or stalking. Those offenders don’t belong in those types of programs. The public has a right to be protected from them.

Imagine what will happen when Jake is paroled? He’ll probably start plotting revenge against the people who testified against him. He’ll go after members of the Rhoden family, etc. Guys like him are psychopaths who will likely never be normal.

 

[Seattle1]

Imagine what will happen when Jake is paroled?

^^rsbm

Fortunately, I don't doubt the twelve members of the Parole Board will have better judgement than the Court (i.e., Hein) in the matter of deciding public safety when it comes to reviewing release of an 8x murderer, and more importantly, eligibility does NOT equate to parole suitability.

https://drc.ohio.gov/systems-and-services/1-parole/ohio-parole-board

PAROLE

Parole in Ohio is subject to the absolute discretion of the Board. Discretion, by its very nature, is subject to the changing norms and context in which it is exercised. The Board is vested with the responsibility to determine when an incarcerated adult is suitable for release. Under Ohio law, an incarcerated adult has neither the constitutional nor inherent right to be conditionally released on parole before the expiration of the maximum term of their sentence. [..]

GENERAL PAROLE DECISION MAKING CONSIDERATIONS

• The following general principles are supported by research and are inherent in the parole decision making process:

• Parole eligibility does not equate to parole suitability. Parole is a conditional release involving a demonstration of suitability after the incarcerated adult has become eligible for release pursuant to the applicable statutes and policies. Parole suitability involves a balance between public safety and incarcerated adult rehabilitation. Parole involves the determination of a change in the incarcerated adult regarding rehabilitation and an understanding that release will not unduly place the community at risk.... [..]

https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/drc.ohio.gov/Forms/SysServ_Parole%20Board%20Handbook.pdf

 

[Niner]

So - did they give any dates for Billy's next hearing? Did not see that in any of the posts... or I missed them... ??

The only docket update so far.

Billy
Appeal #2024CA000932

Date Docket Text
01/03/2025 VICTIM-APPELLANT T.R.'S MERIT BRIEF - ORAL ARGUMENT REQUESTED
COPIES FILED RTD TO COUNSEL 4 TO COURT OF APPEALS

link: https://cpcourt.pikecounty.oh.gov/eservices/searchresults.page?x=Z-OVmZo*pHYOuTgth7*wgg

 

[Covert Operative]

So - did they give any dates for Billy's next hearing? Did not see that in any of the posts... or I missed them... ??

The only docket update so far.

Billy
Appeal #2024CA000932

Date Docket Text
01/03/2025 VICTIM-APPELLANT T.R.'S MERIT BRIEF - ORAL ARGUMENT REQUESTED
COPIES FILED RTD TO COUNSEL 4 TO COURT OF APPEALS

link: https://cpcourt.pikecounty.oh.gov/eservices/searchresults.page?x=Z-OVmZo*pHYOuTgth7*wgg

They were discussing a date off the record after Billy's hearing ended. One has not been entered in courtview yet or announced.

 

[sunshineray]

It depends on how you define “low level offender” for these kinds of programs. Too often judges only look at the level of the offense, but not at whether the convict has a history of violence, sex offenses or stalking. Those offenders don’t belong in those types of programs. The public has a right to be protected from them.

Imagine what will happen when Jake is paroled? He’ll probably start plotting revenge against the people who testified against him. He’ll go after members of the Rhoden family, etc. Guys like him are psychopaths who will likely never be normal.

The planned murders of 8 lives equals 20 to 32 years!? What Twilight Zone is he living in? I think the community should be calling for his resignation! MO

 

[Nanasteele]

My heart breaks for the Rhoden and Gilley family! I have watched this from day one. I am just without words over this judge!

 

[Nanasteele]

My heart breaks for the Rhoden and Gilley family! I have watched this from day one. I am just without words over this judge!

 

[sunshineray]

<modsnip - quoted post was removed>
Letting a confessed killer preach to the victim's family in a court of law about THEIR sins!! Gobsmacked...there are no words for such a thing. As soon as EJW opened his mouth with that the judge should have been outraged and shut him down. Instead he happily reduced his sentence in a way that clearly labels the elimination of 8 lives as mere robberies, not cold-blooded, calculated slaughter. Just despicable, MO

 

[Niner]

They were discussing a date off the record after Billy's hearing ended. One has not been entered in courtview yet or announced.

Thank you! And yeah - I saw there was nothing on the docket this morning.

 

[rescuemom]

I'm not sure I believe the judge when he says he was brought in to take care of "problem" plea agreements. They were fine. Nothing wrong with them. Judge Hein will need to provide some evidence that it was his "mandate" to destroy the agreements and give the killers reduced sentences while not requiring they testify. JMO

Judge Hein will need to provide some evidence that it was his "mandate" to destroy the agreements and give the killers reduced sentences while not requiring they testify

Provide to who??? At this point what can be done with it?? Just sick about it!!

 

[imstilla.grandma]

“Each generation has its own people who can prove the depths of depravity of human nature, and that’s what this case did,” the judge said before handing down the sentences in a Waverly courtroom, about 80 miles (129 kilometers) south of Columbus. “It showed the boundless depravity of people who have no respect for others, only their own self-interest in mind.”

“I asked God, I said, ‘Put me and my family back on the straight and narrow path, by any means necessary,” he said. “I can tell you today I am not sorry that I got caught. I am sorry for what I’ve done, but I’m glad I got caught. I 100% believe that it was Jesus who made me get caught to answer my prayer.”

Mother and son given lengthy prison terms for their roles in the killings of 8 Ohio family members

Two family members convicted in the killings of eight members of an Ohio family have received lengthy prison terms for their roles in the 2016 shootings.

apnews.com

 

[Betty P]

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the state’s case (just the facts and evidence). I think there’s a heck of a lot “wrong” with how Canepa has been presenting it to this Judge and continuing to act in ways that seem only to anger him….I think we all saw what can happen as a result. Precisely that is what I think is most unfortunate, is that it appears feelings have gotten entangled into a lot of this.

Do I think the Judge would’ve sentenced them differently (in some big way) if the State acted differently? I’m honestly not sure. But I am pretty sure that if/when this judge is threatening to have a prosecutor removed from the building for their conduct in court, *that* judge is likely not in a good mood and isn’t bending over backwards to go with all of the State’s arguments/requests. That’s all I was trying to say.

I'm still not seeing any evidence of that. AC appealed the judge's decisions. She had good reason to do that. Reducing Jake's sentence and making him eligible for parole is a legitimate concern, considering he murdered 5 or 6 people in cold blood.

The state did nothing to justify the judge's actions in sabotaging the plea agreements and greatly reducing the confessed mass murderer's sentence. That sounds like "victim blaming". We saw quite a bit of evidence of that yesterday during the hearing, with the judge's unwarranted hostility and threats towards the victims family members. Where is that coming from?

 

[Betty P]

Judge Hein will need to provide some evidence that it was his "mandate" to destroy the agreements and give the killers reduced sentences while not requiring they testify

Provide to who??? At this point what can be done with it?? Just sick about it!!

He needs to provide it to the public, put it on record. Agree, its a terrible situation, but he needs to be held accountable.

 

[Betty P]

Based on Jake’s comments today, I think people should be prepared for him to possibly act in a similar way when he is set to testify/uphold his part of the plea deal. Whether or not (if he defies his agreement with the State) that will open another can of worms and possibly affect his sentence, I’m not sure; but I sure hope the State is prepared for that possibility. JMOO

We should get one of our WS attorneys to weigh in on this, but I don't see how Jake's old plea deal is still valid. I think he will refuse to testify against Billy and, JMO, Judge Hein will allow him that refusal.