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

[Betty P]

New here, but have followed this case since the murders occurred. GW would have to request a bench trial. He's not facing the DP (last I read), and jury trials are easier to appeal upon conviction, and he's already told the court that he wants a jury trial.

Billy Wagner indicates he wants to go to trial instead of possibly taking a plea deal

His delayed trial was supposed to have started weeks ago, but Billy Wagner will return to the Pike County courthouse for pre-trial hearing.

abc6onyourside.com

That’s true, he has requested a jury trial all along. Thus far he has always been defiant and refused to negotiate a plea deal, in spite of the evidence against him. His wife and son have already testified to his complicity in the murders.

 

[Cool Cats]

Pike County murder trial: Jake Wagner 'could not bear to think' or speak about his crimes after the murders

Jake Wagner continued testifying against his brother, who is on trial for the murder of eight people in Pike County in 2016.

www.wcpo.com

Earlier in the trial, Manley testified

Liz Dufour/Liz Dufour/Cincinnati Enquirer
A photo presented by the prosecution of the cement containers that anchored the goose house Jake Wagner made that would be anchored by four cement containers with pieces of the firearms that were used in the eight Rhoden homicides on April 21-22, 2016. The box was placed in the large pond at the Flying W farm owned by Fredericka Wagner, their grandmother. Jake Wagner, 29, was testifying in the trial of his brother, George Wagner IV in the Pike County Common Pleas Court in Waverly, Ohio, Tuesday Oct. 25, 2022. Jake testified George and their dad, Billy Wagner, were together at all four locations, but George didn’t fire a weapon. Jake and his mom, Angela Wagner, have already pleaded guilty. George’s dad, George “Billy” Wagner III will go on trial in 2023.

Liz Dufour/Liz Dufour/Cincinnati Enquirer
A photo presented by the prosecution of a goose house Jake Wagner made that would be anchored by four cement containers with pieces of the firearms that were used in the eight Rhoden homicides on April 21-22, 2016. The box was placed in the large pond at the Flying W farm owned by Fredericka Wagner, their grandmother. Jake Wagner, 29, was testifying in the trial of his brother, George Wagner IV in the Pike County Common Pleas Court in Waverly, Ohio, Tuesday Oct. 25, 2022. Jake testified George and their dad, Billy Wagner, were together at all four locations, but George didn’t fire a weapon. Jake and his mom,
Angela Wagner, have already pleaded guilty. George’s dad, George “Billy” Wagner III will go on trial in 2023.

Questioning pivoted to Tabitha

Her name is now Elizabeth Armer, and she testified Friday

You can read recaps of each day of the trial in our coverage below:

• 'I felt I had no other choice than to kill Hanna,' Jake Wagner told jury
• 'I was afraid they were going to kill me,' Jake's ex-wife testifies
• Texts between Hanna Rhoden and Jake Wagner detail ongoing custody argument
• Witnesses describe intertwined Wagner finances and a device found inside a well
• Clandestine recordings made by Jake, Wagner family finances presented
• Wire taps played for jury as court enters sixth week of testimony
• George Wagner IV's grandmother testifies
• Interview with Angela played for jury, Angela's half brother takes stand
• Texts highlight Wagner family dynamic, purchases for possible silencer
• Dozens of guns collected in search of Flying W Farm, but no murder weapons
• Jury shown evidence collected from Wagner belongings
• Evidence collected on Wagner property presented
• BCI agents testified to evidence
• Ex-wife of George Wagner IV describes 'strange and controlling' Wagner home
• Jury hears from George Wagner IV's ex-wife as fourth week of testimony begins
• Family members tearfully describe the day of the homicides
• Bloody shoe prints, cell phone records are focus
• Experts testify about ballistics, shoeprint evidence
• Third week of trial moves on to Kenneth Rhoden's home
• Evidence presented from third crime scene
• Scene where Dana, Chris. Jr and Hanna May Rhoden were killed is focus
• Testimony focuses on second of four crime scenes
• Coroner describes two of eight victims autopsied
• Forensic testimony continues into Monday
• Forensic evidence takes center stage
• Testimony centers on Kenneth Rhoden, final victim discovered
• Emergency responders testify about chaotic scenes
• Witnesses describe discovering their family members' bodies
• Opening statements detail grisly moments in the six-year-old murder case
• Read a full timeline of the Pike County murder investigation

 

[rescuemom]

Just a thought, IMHO, does anyone else think that AC will become intimidated by Hein and not bring her A game?? I do not doubt her talent, intelligence, etc., but she has to be worn out with this case. I don't know the gentleman to her right that I saw in the last video of Hein when he tried to put her and the victim families in their place but he didn't seem as informed. Is there any addiditional new talent for the prosecutuion on board??

 

[Covert Operative]

Billy seems too entitled and stubborn to accept that he has to pay for planning the murders of 8 innocent people, killing one or two in their sleep. He’s such a hardened criminal that he’s able to easily convince himself he didn’t do anything wrong. He has no conscience. It’s why it’s so difficult for him to agree to any plea deal.

I pray the judge doesn’t acquiesce with a bench trial. Billy will definitely kill again, JMO.

In several pretrials when a plea is mentioned he sits there and shakes his head no, as if to indicate I did not do anything so I am not taking a deal or that is how I take it. ugh

 

[Covert Operative]

Just a thought, IMHO, does anyone else think that AC will become intimidated by Hein and not bring her A game?? I do not doubt her talent, intelligence, etc., but she has to be worn out with this case. I don't know the gentleman to her right that I saw in the last video of Hein when he tried to put her and the victim families in their place but he didn't seem as informed. Is there any addiditional new talent for the prosecutuion on board??

I think she will be more cautious with the judge and I think her trial has been made a lot harder by his actions he has taken. I think his name is McBride? and he is now assisting her with the case. I wish Dewine would loan Wilson back to help during the trial.

 

[Covert Operative]

Pike County murder trial: Jake Wagner 'could not bear to think' or speak about his crimes after the murders

Jake Wagner continued testifying against his brother, who is on trial for the murder of eight people in Pike County in 2016.

www.wcpo.com

View attachment 560624

Earlier in the trial, Manley testified

Liz Dufour/Liz Dufour/Cincinnati Enquirer
A photo presented by the prosecution of the cement containers that anchored the goose house Jake Wagner made that would be anchored by four cement containers with pieces of the firearms that were used in the eight Rhoden homicides on April 21-22, 2016. The box was placed in the large pond at the Flying W farm owned by Fredericka Wagner, their grandmother. Jake Wagner, 29, was testifying in the trial of his brother, George Wagner IV in the Pike County Common Pleas Court in Waverly, Ohio, Tuesday Oct. 25, 2022. Jake testified George and their dad, Billy Wagner, were together at all four locations, but George didn’t fire a weapon. Jake and his mom, Angela Wagner, have already pleaded guilty. George’s dad, George “Billy” Wagner III will go on trial in 2023.

Liz Dufour/Liz Dufour/Cincinnati Enquirer
A photo presented by the prosecution of a goose house Jake Wagner made that would be anchored by four cement containers with pieces of the firearms that were used in the eight Rhoden homicides on April 21-22, 2016. The box was placed in the large pond at the Flying W farm owned by Fredericka Wagner, their grandmother. Jake Wagner, 29, was testifying in the trial of his brother, George Wagner IV in the Pike County Common Pleas Court in Waverly, Ohio, Tuesday Oct. 25, 2022. Jake testified George and their dad, Billy Wagner, were together at all four locations, but George didn’t fire a weapon. Jake and his mom,
Angela Wagner, have already pleaded guilty. George’s dad, George “Billy” Wagner III will go on trial in 2023.

Questioning pivoted to Tabitha

Her name is now Elizabeth Armer, and she testified Friday

You can read recaps of each day of the trial in our coverage below:

• 'I felt I had no other choice than to kill Hanna,' Jake Wagner told jury
• 'I was afraid they were going to kill me,' Jake's ex-wife testifies
• Texts between Hanna Rhoden and Jake Wagner detail ongoing custody argument
• Witnesses describe intertwined Wagner finances and a device found inside a well
• Clandestine recordings made by Jake, Wagner family finances presented
• Wire taps played for jury as court enters sixth week of testimony
• George Wagner IV's grandmother testifies
• Interview with Angela played for jury, Angela's half brother takes stand
• Texts highlight Wagner family dynamic, purchases for possible silencer
• Dozens of guns collected in search of Flying W Farm, but no murder weapons
• Jury shown evidence collected from Wagner belongings
• Evidence collected on Wagner property presented
• BCI agents testified to evidence
• Ex-wife of George Wagner IV describes 'strange and controlling' Wagner home
• Jury hears from George Wagner IV's ex-wife as fourth week of testimony begins
• Family members tearfully describe the day of the homicides
• Bloody shoe prints, cell phone records are focus
• Experts testify about ballistics, shoeprint evidence
• Third week of trial moves on to Kenneth Rhoden's home
• Evidence presented from third crime scene
• Scene where Dana, Chris. Jr and Hanna May Rhoden were killed is focus
• Testimony focuses on second of four crime scenes
• Coroner describes two of eight victims autopsied
• Forensic testimony continues into Monday
• Forensic evidence takes center stage
• Testimony centers on Kenneth Rhoden, final victim discovered
• Emergency responders testify about chaotic scenes
• Witnesses describe discovering their family members' bodies
• Opening statements detail grisly moments in the six-year-old murder case
• Read a full timeline of the Pike County murder investigation

I believe Jake's ex wife joined the military. That is not any important fact but when I saw her name it made me think of it. That is just my opinion.

 

[Covert Operative]

I'm putting my faith in a jury. The jury will care about 8 murders.

I have faith in the jury, just not the judge when he sentences Billy.

 

[tuesdaysgone]

Just a thought, IMHO, does anyone else think that AC will become intimidated by Hein and not bring her A game?? I do not doubt her talent, intelligence, etc., but she has to be worn out with this case. I don't know the gentleman to her right that I saw in the last video of Hein when he tried to put her and the victim families in their place but he didn't seem as informed. Is there any addiditional new talent for the prosecutuion on board??

I don’t think she will feel intimidated. If anything she will feel disappointed and discouraged. It seems that Judge Hein has already made his decision. I have never seen a judge act like he cares more for the m*rderer than the victims and their families. I support the right to a fair trial. IMO judge Hein is acting more like Billy Wagner’s GAL. Why?! Judge Hein is smug and rude to the procecution. Why!! Is he being vindictive because AC challenged him? When AC tried to clarify if he would support a plea agreement he blatantly said it doesn’t matter what you come up with I’m the judge. I’m going to decide. So, intimidated no… but wishing she could walk away from the circus that has become Judge Hein’s courtroom… you bet!
Way to go Ohio…. You are setting some standards that I hope you can live with…
still no comment Governor DeWine??

 

[tuesdaysgone]

I have faith in the jury, just not the judge when he sentences Billy.

I don’t believe the jury in this case will matter. It seems clear that Judge Hein has an agenda and he has clearly made his decision.
I’ve never seen anything like it.

 

[tuesdaysgone]

In several pretrials when a plea is mentioned he sits there and shakes his head no, as if to indicate I did not do anything so I am not taking a deal or that is how I take it. ugh

Did you hear Judge Hein praise BW for his behavior in the courtroom?
I was waiting for him to offer a sticker/sucker… smh
BW shows zero remorse. It appears that he still believes they did the right thing.

 

[MTW2011]

I don’t think she will feel intimidated. If anything she will feel disappointed and discouraged. It seems that Judge Hein has already made his decision. I have never seen a judge act like he cares more for the m*rderer than the victims and their families. I support the right to a fair trial. IMO judge Hein is acting more like Billy Wagner’s GAL. Why?! Judge Hein is smug and rude to the procecution. Why!! Is he being vindictive because AC challenged him? When AC tried to clarify if he would support a plea agreement he blatantly said it doesn’t matter what you come up with I’m the judge. I’m going to decide. So, intimidated no… but wishing she could walk away from the circus that has become Judge Hein’s courtroom… you bet!
Way to go Ohio…. You are setting some standards that I hope you can live with…
still no comment Governor DeWine??

I’m not supporting how the Judge has acted towards her and what he’s said, but I would (respectfully) point out, if we take what he said as true, then she’s done several things that have frustrated him and in his mind/opinion he’s given her several opportunities to correct course and she’s done none of that.

Two quick examples that the Judge has said - believing that discussions about removing the death penalty & conversations that he believed were happening, based on her representations to the court over *multiple* hearings over *multiple* months. Only to find out recently that wasn’t entirely true. Second that she’s (as he said) “months” where she could’ve filed an amended charge/info in regards to the different County/crime scene issue, and she seemingly left that to the last minute to drop on him and the defense. I’m *not* saying she’s doing anything wrong, just trying to play devil’s advocate here. If we try to believe the Judge’s own words, then feeling “misled” over several months + believing you’re getting closer to moving the case to trial only to find out last minute that’s not true = the unhappy and frustrated Judge we see. Is it warranted? Right? I don’t know the answer to those questions but IMOO he’s not responding this way just because she “challenged” him on something.

And not for nothing but I’ve yet to see a legal rationale for why she waited this long to bring up the change of County for one of the crime scenes in relation to the charges and the information….it’s not as if the state just found that issue and worked to correct it ASAP. they’ve known about that so I’m not sure why it was only just coming out now. JMOO, sorry

 

[Betty P]

I don’t think she will feel intimidated. If anything she will feel disappointed and discouraged. It seems that Judge Hein has already made his decision. I have never seen a judge act like he cares more for the m*rderer than the victims and their families. I support the right to a fair trial. IMO judge Hein is acting more like Billy Wagner’s GAL. Why?! Judge Hein is smug and rude to the procecution. Why!! Is he being vindictive because AC challenged him? When AC tried to clarify if he would support a plea agreement he blatantly said it doesn’t matter what you come up with I’m the judge. I’m going to decide. So, intimidated no… but wishing she could walk away from the circus that has become Judge Hein’s courtroom… you bet!
Way to go Ohio…. You are setting some standards that I hope you can live with…
still no comment Governor DeWine??

Ohio has very low standards these days. Anything goes.

Judge Hein apparently thinks he has both options covered. He’s trying to force the state to accept what’s likely a very favorable plea agreement to a killer who is refusing to take it.

If Billy Wagner continues to insist on going to trial, the judge will swing things in his favor, possibly by ruling to drop the most serious charges against him. Based on some of the comments made in court about ignoring the wishes of the victims families, it might involve a much shorter sentence with early parole.

I assume the families concerns the judge dismissed dealt with the difficulty of attending regular parole hearings for many years to come.

ETA: Judge Hein’s petty and possibly exaggerated criticism of Prosecutor Canepa may be motivated by a desire to falsely blame her when he ultimately gives Billy a big break.

 

[Niner]

Since I was reading this thread - I decided to look at the docket - and this came up??


Name Search
Site All Sites
Locality All Localities
Last Name Wagner
First Name George
Case Type All Cases
Case Status Absconder from Supervision
Party Type All Party Types
No Records Found


link: https://cpcourt.pikecounty.oh.gov/eservices/searchresults.page

so - I looked up "Absconder from Supervision" -

Absconding probation is when you leave the jurisdiction of the court overseeing your probation and do so without the court's or probation officer's permission. 1. In absconding cases, the court essentially does not know your whereabouts. There are several reasons why a person may abscond.

????

Edited - his court case came up - don't know what happened there ^^ - will post anything that is new.

edited again - nothing new!

 

[Covert Operative]

Did you hear Judge Hein praise BW for his behavior in the courtroom?
I was waiting for him to offer a sticker/sucker… smh
BW shows zero remorse. It appears that he still believes they did the right thing.

Yes, I sure did, I was expecting him to take Billy to lunch before they took him back to jail.

 

[Covert Operative]

I’m not supporting how the Judge has acted towards her and what he’s said, but I would (respectfully) point out, if we take what he said as true, then she’s done several things that have frustrated him and in his mind/opinion he’s given her several opportunities to correct course and she’s done none of that.

Two quick examples that the Judge has said - believing that discussions about removing the death penalty & conversations that he believed were happening, based on her representations to the court over *multiple* hearings over *multiple* months. Only to find out recently that wasn’t entirely true. Second that she’s (as he said) “months” where she could’ve filed an amended charge/info in regards to the different County/crime scene issue, and she seemingly left that to the last minute to drop on him and the defense. I’m *not* saying she’s doing anything wrong, just trying to play devil’s advocate here. If we try to believe the Judge’s own words, then feeling “misled” over several months + believing you’re getting closer to moving the case to trial only to find out last minute that’s not true = the unhappy and frustrated Judge we see. Is it warranted? Right? I don’t know the answer to those questions but IMOO he’s not responding this way just because she “challenged” him on something.

And not for nothing but I’ve yet to see a legal rationale for why she waited this long to bring up the change of County for one of the crime scenes in relation to the charges and the information….it’s not as if the state just found that issue and worked to correct it ASAP. they’ve known about that so I’m not sure why it was only just coming out now. JMOO, sorry

I believe conversations were happening but Billy would not agree to any of the offers and his own lawyer told the judge that in a pretrial. She can't make Billy agree to a plea deal. The judge also tried to act like he was shocked in the last pretrial that the family had an issue with the venue change and he wished he had been told about it. In my opinion he would not have cared if they did have an issue he would change the venue. He was trying again to make himself look like the victim in the courtroom and to make himself look better.

I do agree that the county issue could have and probably should have been corrected before now but the county being incorrect does not have any bearing on the case from how I understand it. She probably feels with this judge it needs to be corrected anyway.

Jake had already been rewarded for his cooperation with the DP being removed for him and his family if he testified in the trials. The judge decided to reward him a second time with a possibility of parole, but he rewarded him the 2nd time without bothering to see if Jake follows through with his cooperation in Billy's trial. Jakes cooperation was not complete yet. There was no legal reason that I can see that he needed to remove Billy's DP or sentence Angela and Jake before Billy's trial.

 

[MTW2011]

I believe conversations were happening but Billy would not agree to any of the offers and his own lawyer told the judge that in a pretrial. She can't make Billy agree to a plea deal. The judge also tried to act like he was shocked in the last pretrial that the family had an issue with the venue change and he wished he had been told about it. In my opinion he would not have cared if they did have an issue he would change the venue. He was trying again to make himself look like the victim in the courtroom and to make himself look better.

I do agree that the county issue could have and probably should have been corrected before now but the county being incorrect does not have any bearing on the case from how I understand it. She probably feels with this judge it needs to be corrected anyway.

Jake had already been rewarded for his cooperation with the DP being removed for him and his family if he testified in the trials. The judge decided to reward him a second time with a possibility of parole, but he rewarded him the 2nd time without bothering to see if Jake follows through with his cooperation in Billy's trial. Jakes cooperation was not complete yet. There was no legal reason that I can see that he needed to remove Billy's DP or sentence Angela and Jake before Billy's trial.

The County/change in charges issue very much has a bearing on the case because it directly relates to some of the charges and the question of whether or not testimony is even allowed in on certain topics if the alleged conduct occurred in different counties than originally charged. From the Judge’s perspective it can a huge ripple effect on this trial…

Change(s) in charging information > possible severance of charges > possible changes for lilting or excluding certain testimony, witnesses, and/or evidence that the jury can hear. And if charges are severed out, when’s the next trial scheduled for those? It’s very possible to cause a huge ripple effect.

And this was not something new that the State just found out. I’m truly not defending the Judge here but there was no reason for this to come up so late - especially after other trials have already occurred for the other defendants. IMOO it’s just disappointing to see how that Canepa’s decisions are undermining what she very clearly is striving for - true and lasting justice for the victims. JMOO

 

[Covert Operative]

Ohio has very low standards these days. Anything goes.

Judge Hein apparently thinks he has both options covered. He’s trying to force the state to accept what’s likely a very favorable plea agreement to a killer who is refusing to take it.

If Billy Wagner continues to insist on going to trial, the judge will swing things in his favor, possibly by ruling to drop the most serious charges against him. Based on some of the comments made in court about ignoring the wishes of the victims families, it might involve a much shorter sentence with early parole.

I assume the families concerns the judge dismissed dealt with the difficulty of attending regular parole hearings for many years to come.

ETA: Judge Hein’s petty and possibly exaggerated criticism of Prosecutor Canepa may be motivated by a desire to falsely blame her when he ultimately gives Billy a big break.

The County/change in charges issue very much has a bearing on the case because it directly relates to some of the charges and the question of whether or not testimony is even allowed in on certain topics if the alleged conduct occurred in different counties than originally charged. From the Judge’s perspective it can a huge ripple effect on this trial…

Change(s) in charging information > possible severance of charges > possible changes for lilting or excluding certain testimony, witnesses, and/or evidence that the jury can hear. And if charges are severed out, when’s the next trial scheduled for those? It’s very possible to cause a huge ripple effect.

And this was not something new that the State just found out. I’m truly not defending the Judge here but there was no reason for this to come up so late - especially after other trials have already occurred for the other defendants. IMOO it’s just disappointing to see how that Canepa’s decisions are undermining what she very clearly is striving for - true and lasting justice for the victims. JMOO

In the pretrial he asked the defense how did this damage their case in anyway, basically. The ones that he wants to sever anyway regardless of what county is listed for them are the ones that occurred in the other counties is how I understand it and Billy was not directly involved in those that were mentioned. That severing is something he wants and it's not related to the county being listed incorrectly I believe. The judge is undermining her is what I see. He clearly goes to extreme measures when it's not necessary or legally required, like the DP and the sentencing.
He also wants to go by State vs Beatty to reduce Billy's gun specifications/years. He is helping Billy in every way possible.

 

[Covert Operative]

The County/change in charges issue very much has a bearing on the case because it directly relates to some of the charges and the question of whether or not testimony is even allowed in on certain topics if the alleged conduct occurred in different counties than originally charged. From the Judge’s perspective it can a huge ripple effect on this trial…

Change(s) in charging information > possible severance of charges > possible changes for lilting or excluding certain testimony, witnesses, and/or evidence that the jury can hear. And if charges are severed out, when’s the next trial scheduled for those? It’s very possible to cause a huge ripple effect.

And this was not something new that the State just found out. I’m truly not defending the Judge here but there was no reason for this to come up so late - especially after other trials have already occurred for the other defendants. IMOO it’s just disappointing to see how that Canepa’s decisions are undermining what she very clearly is striving for - true and lasting justice for the victims. JMOO

The County/change in charges issue very much has a bearing on the case because it directly relates to some of the charges and the question of whether or not testimony is even allowed in on certain topics if the alleged conduct occurred in different counties than originally charged. From the Judge’s perspective it can a huge ripple effect on this trial…

Change(s) in charging information > possible severance of charges > possible changes for lilting or excluding certain testimony, witnesses, and/or evidence that the jury can hear. And if charges are severed out, when’s the next trial scheduled for those? It’s very possible to cause a huge ripple effect.

And this was not something new that the State just found out. I’m truly not defending the Judge here but there was no reason for this to come up so late - especially after other trials have already occurred for the other defendants. IMOO it’s just disappointing to see how that Canepa’s decisions are undermining what she very clearly is striving for - true and lasting justice for the victims. JMOO

In the pretrial he asked the defense how did this damage their case in anyway, basically. The ones that he wants to sever anyway regardless of what county is listed for them are the ones that occurred in the other counties is how I understand it and Billy was not directly involved in those that were mentioned. That severing is something he wants and it's not related to the county being listed incorrectly I believe. The judge is undermining her is what I see. He clearly goes to extreme measures when it's not necessary or legally required, like the DP and the sentencing.
He also wants to go by State vs Beatty to reduce Billy's gun specifications/years. He is helping Billy in every way possible. He must miss being a lawyer and is acting as Billy's lawyer. He brings up things constantly to the defense that they have not even mentioned or filed a motion in reference to.

 

[Covert Operative]

In the pretrial he asked the defense how did this damage their case in anyway, basically. The ones that he wants to sever anyway regardless of what county is listed for them are the ones that occurred in the other counties is how I understand it and Billy was not directly involved in those that were mentioned. That severing is something he wants and it's not related to the county being listed incorrectly I believe. The judge is undermining her is what I see. He clearly goes to extreme measures when it's not necessary or legally required, like the DP and the sentencing.
He also wants to go by State vs Beatty to reduce Billy's gun specifications/years. He is helping Billy in every way possible. He must miss being a lawyer and is acting as Billy's lawyer. He brings up things constantly to the defense that they have not even mentioned or filed a motion in reference to.

That ruling for State vs Beatty happened in Dec 2024 I believe, so it is a new ruling that will also help Billy in his sentencing. It basically will reduce the sentence for gun charges in half or that is how I understand.

State Law Limits Imposition of Consecutive Sentences for Firearm Violations

www.courtnewsohio.gov

 

[MTW2011]

In the pretrial he asked the defense how did this damage their case in anyway, basically. The ones that he wants to sever anyway regardless of what county is listed for them are the ones that occurred in the other counties is how I understand it and Billy was not directly involved in those that were mentioned. That severing is something he wants and it's not related to the county being listed incorrectly I believe. The judge is undermining her is what I see. He clearly goes to extreme measures when it's not necessary or legally required, like the DP and the sentencing.
He also wants to go by State vs Beatty to reduce Billy's gun specifications/years. He is helping Billy in every way possible. He must miss being a lawyer and is acting as Billy's lawyer. He brings up things constantly to the defense that they have not even mentioned or filed a motion in reference to.

Respectfully, I see what you are saying, despite as others have claimed, I think none of that of that changes just how significantly severing charges changes the next steps in *this* trial.

Again - just seeing it from the Judge’s perspective. He’s trying to schedule *one* trial right now. He’s waiting on the higher Courts to make some rulings that could affect scheduling and details on how this *one* trial proceeds. Now he’s hearing about potential severing of charges, and State hasn’t formulated a full response yet…now he’s thinking ahead if this happens what evidence does he need to exclude from this *one* trial? What motions and additional hearings for those motions will he need to schedule? How will the affect scheduling of this *one* trial?

And now that charges are severed, when will he need to schedule the one for the other charges? Can he even schedule that now? I just think it’s a big can of worms and those criticizing him for seemingly acting willy nilly aren’t seeing just how much (from his perspective, and arguably not I can see it) of a downstream effect it can and would have. And if this Judge truly is concerned about “thinking ahead” as he says he is…..then I can really see why “last minute” things like this are frustrating to him. But of course JMOO.