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

[sunshineray]

No wonder HG's Mom went off on her. "It" was a "rash" decision!!? Relating her "unbearable pain" at being separated from her family!!? I had to stop listening after that.

 

[StrangeOccurance]

Only a matter of time

 

[Covert Operative]

If we dig deep enough, chances are lots of these players would have things not so great about their past.

Canepa, when she was leading the Sex crimes unit, took over a case where she learned there was no physical evidence and major issues with the credibility of the alleged victim….instead of dismissing the case she forged ahead and man was convicted. After doing his sentenced she worked to have his probation revoked and him sent back to prison because he “didn’t complete” the sex offender classes because he did not and would not admit that he had actually committed a sexual offense or that he had a victim at all. Again, there was major issues with the victim’s changing story and no physical evidence of the crime. The original judge pushed for Canepa to either dismiss the charges entirely or lower them to misdemeanors - none of which she offered. None of this came to light until it all came overflowing out on appeals. Turns out telling the Judge you would work with the defense to try and reach an agreement with the defense - and then actually doing nothing - is not a good look. Not a good look for the prosecutor, not a good look for justice. (Again, this thread is about the Wagner’s so I should probably refrain from sharing the name of the individual in this case but it’s easily found online).

My only point is that Judge Hein sure has some history that doesn’t look great….and same goes for the State. If you look hard enough, I’m sure you can find stuff on all of the main players in this trial. Whether or not a prosecutor proceeding with a weak case and revoking probation because someone won’t admit to something the state can’t even prove is “worse” than what Hein did, obviously that’s up to the individual to decide for themselves.

The state did try to work with the defense but they cannot make Billy agree to something if he will not agree, which he has to. His lawyer said in a pretrial that Billy did not like anything that was presented to him. There are filings that quote Billy's phone calls with his mother where he states to his mother he is not signing shi-.

I do agree that there are probably things about all involved that are not a great look. Giving someone a chance at parole that is responsible for these type murders is a really bad look.

 

[Covert Operative]

We know that JW, AW have remained in incarcerated in county jails whereas GW4 was soon shipped out of state by DOC after he was sentenced-- allegedly for security reasons.

I wonder what long-term housing looks like for JW and AW? Have either complained about threats since their arrests? If GW4 had security issues, I can't imagine JW will be welcome in Ohio general pop... JMO.

ANGELA JO WAGNER​

Custody Record
Age 54
Gender Female
Race White

Custody Status Date Jan 03, 2025 12:47 PM EST
Custody Status In Custody
Custody Detail Scioto County Sheriff's Office
Book Date Jan 03, 2025 12:12 AM EST

Location
Scioto County Sheriff's Office
1025 Sixteenth Street
Portsmouth, OH 45662

VINELink

vinelink.vineapps.com

EDWARD JACOB WAGNER​

Custody Record
Age 32
Gender Male
Race White

OH: Gallia County Sheriff's Office
ID Number23**
Custody Status In Custody
Custody Detail Gallia County Jail

VINELink

vinelink.vineapps.com

I can't imagine they would have any of them housed in an Ohio prison.

 

[Covert Operative]

^^rsbm

I have to say I'm perplexed by the State's reaction as well for a couple of reasons. First, the state did not act to dismiss the death penalty specifications for GW4 when he went to trial but only after the verdict (after AW/JW testified), and second, knowing the dismissal of the DP was so important to the plea agreement with JW, and only one co-defendant remaining, it doesn't follow that Special Prosecutor AC would still need to be "thinking about how to dismiss the DP" in conjunction with JW's plea agreement that was negotiated in 2022.

During the Nov 20 hearing when Judge Hein announced his decision to dismiss the death penalty specifications-- he noted he wasn't blaming the parties but that they ran out of time.

“‘We’re getting there, we’re getting there’ - it was like somebody played a record today,’” the judge told Canepa. “I’m telling you we’re not going forward with trial on a death penalty specification when the defense isn’t ready because the state is not ready. I’m not assigning fault, I’m saying the clock ran out.”

Whether or not Hein had the authority to take this action remains to be seen as the State has appealed this action by the trial court Judge.

I dunno -- maybe it's just me but I believe I would have wanted a working draft given the "unusual circumstances" cited by AC as the reason for the State's delay just as soon as I was finished prosecuting GW4! (We know the Court had been asking for the same going on four months with no results).

I just hope we don't find this next trial a situation where the State simply became too reliant on the testimony of JW for the State's case against Billy Wagner instead of using JW's evidence to support the State's own case.

What do we know about Special Prosecutor Ron O’Brien? If he's experienced with high profile, death penalty cases, perhaps he needs to to step up his role at trial given Hein's demonstrated animosity towards AC. MOO

I hope family and friends of the victims feel the warmth and support we continue to feel for them.

Pike County Massacre: Death penalty ‘dismissed’ for Billy Wagner’s upcoming trial

'I'm done waiting,' the judge said

www.fox19.com

I don't think there is any legal reason that the judge had to dismiss the DP or sentence Angela and Jake before Billy's trial, he just chose to do so. I think there was pressure put on the prosecutor to try to come to an agreement with Billy/defense concerning the DP. Billy has to agree to any agreement that involves him and they could not come to terms on one.
I do think the State is reliant on Angela and Jakes testimony and that is one reason that Angela only got 30 years, they needed it to backup Jake's testimony. I am still unsure if Jake's proffer can be used in Billy's trial or that any evidence that was obtained due to Jake's confession can still be used or brought in without his testimony or his proffer.
If Jake's religion continues to hold then surely he will feel the right and just thing to do is to testify against Billy, but things have a way of changing.

 

[Covert Operative]

It is stunning that a man can plan and carryout the murder of 8 people, a family, including the mother of his child, solely for selfish reasons of custody, executions in cold blood, and get a sentence that gives him an opportunity for parole. This man showed no remorse. And some day victim's family will have to go to a parole hearing to try to keep him in prison? That is disgusting.

Can Jake's proffer and evidence obtained due to his confession be brought into Billy's trial if Jake does not testify?

 

[Cool Cats]

All 4 need life without parole. Period.

If these murderers were in my state they all get LWOP even though we do not have the DP.

We are a tough state on murder and we do not need the DP to be tough.

Ethan Crumbly only 15 years old gets no parole. I am talking about MI. I am moving to TX so we will see what that is like. Texas is tough with their DP.

Jake getting just a chance at parole after shooting 6 people is sick.

2 Cents

 

[Covert Operative]

All 4 need life without parole. Period.

If these murderers were in my state they all get LWOP even though we do not have the DP.

We are a tough state on murder and we do not need the DP to be tough.

Ethan Crumbly only 15 years old gets no parole. I am talking about MI. I am moving to TX so we will see what that is like. Texas is tough with their DP.

Jake getting just a chance at parole after shooting 6 people is sick.

2 Cents

I think he claimed to have shot/killed 5 but he certainly helped to carry out the murder of 8, all of them helped to kill 8 people regardless if they actually pulled a trigger. I may need some of your stomach meds. ha.. keep them handy.

 

[Cool Cats]

I think he claimed to have shot/killed 5 but he certainly helped to carry out the murder of 8, all of them helped to kill 8 people regardless if they actually pulled a trigger. I may need some of your stomach meds. ha.. keep them handy.

That ¥£€><%# Jake claimed he killed 5 shooting them in the head and claimed he shot Chris Sr in the arm when George wouldn’t do it. Jake claims the arm was not a kill shot. Chris could have bled out from the arm shot and yes they all killed 8.

My nursing home can take me to Jake’s parole hearing.

 

[PrairieWind]

Can Jake's proffer and evidence obtained due to his confession be brought into Billy's trial if Jake does not testify?

Jake's statements would be hearsay, but there may be some exceptions that could apply to get it admitted.

 

[sunshineray]

^^rsbm

I have to say I'm perplexed by the State's reaction as well for a couple of reasons. First, the state did not act to dismiss the death penalty specifications for GW4 when he went to trial but only after the verdict (after AW/JW testified), and second, knowing the dismissal of the DP was so important to the plea agreement with JW, and only one co-defendant remaining, it doesn't follow that Special Prosecutor AC would still need to be "thinking about how to dismiss the DP" in conjunction with JW's plea agreement that was negotiated in 2022.

During the Nov 20 hearing when Judge Hein announced his decision to dismiss the death penalty specifications-- he noted he wasn't blaming the parties but that they ran out of time.

“‘We’re getting there, we’re getting there’ - it was like somebody played a record today,’” the judge told Canepa. “I’m telling you we’re not going forward with trial on a death penalty specification when the defense isn’t ready because the state is not ready. I’m not assigning fault, I’m saying the clock ran out.”

Whether or not Hein had the authority to take this action remains to be seen as the State has appealed this action by the trial court Judge.

I dunno -- maybe it's just me but I believe I would have wanted a working draft given the "unusual circumstances" cited by AC as the reason for the State's delay just as soon as I was finished prosecuting GW4! (We know the Court had been asking for the same going on four months with no results).

I just hope we don't find this next trial a situation where the State simply became too reliant on the testimony of JW for the State's case against Billy Wagner instead of using JW's evidence to support the State's own case.

What do we know about Special Prosecutor Ron O’Brien? If he's experienced with high profile, death penalty cases, perhaps he needs to to step up his role at trial given Hein's demonstrated animosity towards AC. MOO

I hope family and friends of the victims feel the warmth and support we continue to feel for them.

Pike County Massacre: Death penalty ‘dismissed’ for Billy Wagner’s upcoming trial

'I'm done waiting,' the judge said

www.fox19.com

Why has it taken so long for BW to come to trial?
In what way have his lawyers held it off that's different than GWIV's attorneys? I really can't understand the extra long delay in BW's case.

 

[Cool Cats]

Why has it taken so long for BW to come to trial?
In what way have his lawyers held it off that's different than GWIV's attorneys? I really can't understand the extra long delay in BW's case.

Did they delay his trial again? I thought it was supposed to be now in January 2025.

This case is making me too pissed off I am so sick of this •¥£€><

 

[sunshineray]

It has been said that Judge Hein was know as “ No Time Hein”. I continue to state that Judge Hein … a retired Judge….was specifically selected for this case. His history and outspoken view on prison rehabilitation was known by those who placed him on this case. IMO this is on the State of Ohio.

Governor DeWine issued a statement after GW’s sentencing “George Wagner IV will never live another day outside of prison - a sentence that’s another step towards Justice for the Rhoden’s, Gilley’s, & Manley’s. I spoke with family members this morning, commending them for their courage & their patience as they waited 6+ years for this day.” Interestingly, Governor DeWine has not made a public statement or responded to requests since the sentencing of JW & AW.

Is this Ohio’s new courtroom? Traveling retired judges with zero accountability. Judges who clearly sabotage the States case (BW- by sentencing AW & JW who had plea agreements contingent upon BW’s trial). The complete disregard for the law enforcement who worked diligently to solve this crime.

JW planned & participated in 8 m*rders… it is an outrageous miscarriage of justice. It doesn’t matter the appalling reasons Judge Heins gave -this will undoubtedly have severe repercussions for the trust & belief in Ohio’s Judicial system.

So Judge Hein was retired, were there no sitting judges active to preside over BW's case? Why give it to a retired judge, lack of personnel? I know the justice system is clogged with cases but the Rhoden/Gilley Family murders are and will always be an extremely high-profile case. Did nobody active want BW's case? If this judge is known for such leniency with violent offenders that he's earned a nickname for it, they would seem such an obvious stay-away-from choice when trying an 8 homicide premeditated massacre assailant. Do you know, who in the State decided to give him the case? TIA if you know.

 

[sunshineray]

Did they delay his trial again? I thought it was supposed to be now in January 2025.

This case is making me too pissed off I am so sick of this •¥£€><

From what I can tell, since his January 6th trial date has come and gone, the late filing for a change of venue granted by Judge Hein has put a stop to his trial once again. The State is appealinging the change of venue.

What I don't understand is didn't Judge Deering already rule against a change of venue long ago?

 

[Covert Operative]

Did they delay his trial again? I thought it was supposed to be now in January 2025.

This case is making me too pissed off I am so sick of this •¥£€><

There are two outstanding issues that have to be resolved before his case can go to trial. There is an outstanding appeal on the DP and and outstanding appeal on venue.

 

[Covert Operative]

From what I can tell, since his January 6th trial date has come and gone, the late filing for a change of venue granted by Judge Hein has put a stop to his trial once again. The State is appealinging the change of venue.

What I don't understand is didn't Judge Deering already rule against a change of venue long ago?

Victim T.R. filed an appeal on the venue change. The state has appealed the DP decision.
There was a decision not to change venue by the previous judge but as we all know and have been told numerous times by Judge Hein he does not have to abide by anything the other judges did or agreed to.

 

[Covert Operative]

So Judge Hein was retired, were there no sitting judges active to preside over BW's case? Why give it to a retired judge, lack of personnel? I know the justice system is clogged with cases but the Rhoden/Gilley Family murders are and will always be an extremely high-profile case. Did nobody active want BW's case? If this judge is known for such leniency with violent offenders that he's earned a nickname for it, they would seem such an obvious stay-away-from choice when trying an 8 homicide premeditated massacre assailant. Do you know, who in the State decided to give him the case? TIA if you know.

I think retired judges are assigned randomly to cases, but I am not sure who does it or how it specifically gets done.

 

[sunshineray]

Victim T.R. filed an appeal on the venue change. The state has appealed the DP decision.
There was a decision not to change venue by the previous judge but as we all know and have been told numerous times by Judge Hein he does not have to abide by anything the other judges did or agreed to.

So he, the judge, says too much time has gone by I'm sentencing them, no matter any plea agreements, then he also changes the venue and takes away the DP charges to further delay the trial date!? I totally agree with the appeals to these rulings and it's in no way the fault of the State. It's the fault of whatever person or State enity who thought handing the last leg of these horrific crimes to a judge with a track record of coddling violent criminals was an appropriate course. Honestly, I now fear that BW is going to walk away a free man/ monster. The people of Pike County must be be outraged. AJMO

 

[PrairieWind]

So Judge Hein was retired, were there no sitting judges active to preside over BW's case? Why give it to a retired judge, lack of personnel? I know the justice system is clogged with cases but the Rhoden/Gilley Family murders are and will always be an extremely high-profile case. Did nobody active want BW's case? If this judge is known for such leniency with violent offenders that he's earned a nickname for it, they would seem such an obvious stay-away-from choice when trying an 8 homicide premeditated massacre assailant. Do you know, who in the State decided to give him the case? TIA if you know.

I can't speak for Ohio. In the states that I have practiced, if a case is reassigned to a new judge, there is a panel of judges that decides who gets it. That panel is appointed by the Supreme Court. They typically take into account in assigning a new judge, first, a judge that isn't also precluded, qualified, and available due to case load issues. It is common for judges to retire from the bench but still be available as fill ins, magistrates, etc.

 

[arielilane]

Iirc, this was an execution-style killing of eight innocent people while they were sleeping. Babies sleeping next to them, a 16 year old executed and silly boy JW gets the opportunity for parole. Nevermind about first -degree murder when someone intentionally and unjustifiably kills another person deliberately and w/premeditated malice. JW showed no remorse nor did he apologize, he preached to the victims’ families. Talk about an injustice. And it was GW4’s right to go to trial. moo