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

[justtrish]

BTW, we all knew Billy would walk. Money, money, money.

Also, I lost hubby last June. I like to think he is up there having coffee with Lenny. Hi to Betty, CC, RSD and Dudley if they are still on here.

JMO

I am so sorry to hear about your husband @RAISINISBACK It's good to see you here. I hope you are well.

 

[Betty P]

BTW, we all knew Billy would walk. Money, money, money.

Also, I lost hubby last June. I like to think he is up there having coffee with Lenny. Hi to Betty, CC, RSD and Dudley if they are still on here.

JMO

Hi Raize! So good to hear from you. We missed you. Very, very sad to hear about your husband. He was a great guy. I hope you are doing well.

 

[RAISINISBACK]

I am so sorry to hear about your husband @RAISINISBACK It's good to see you here. I hope you are well.

Just biding my time until it's time. Maybe i will see the end of Billy's trial. Of course he will get nothing even though he pulled the trigger on at least 2 and maybe more of the R"s

JMO

 

[Covert Operative]

d

 

[RAISINISBACK]

Hi Raize! So good to hear from you. We missed you. Very, very sad to hear about your husband. He was a great guy. I hope you are doing well.

Hi Betty. Great to see you. He was a great man. I'm doing okay. Got my affairs in order and I'm ready to go. My one hope was to see all 4 W's trials and sentencing. I might make it to that. But i got a bad feeling about Billy from what I am following about the case. Of them all I feel like he should not be the one who walks. But then, there is mama.

JMO

 

[RAISINISBACK]

delete

I am sorry to hear about Dudley. He had a great mind.

Raize
JMO

 

[Fight4justice]

I got off this thread because my opinion was not the popular one. I was on this thread for years and my opinion was respected, valued even. No one wanted all four of them to get the DP more than I did. But as a leopard cannot change its spots, I cannot be unfair in judgement. So, it ended when my logical mind could not accept convicting a man without any evidence. No wanted to consider that Jake and Angie, known liars, lied on the stand.

I knew from almost day one Jake did it. Go back in the threads. I yelled first and yelled the loudest. I debated on here until my fingers had blisters trying to convince everyone the W's were guilty. I ruled out everything thrown on this board from drugs to cartels to stolen cars. I convinced everyone the W's did it so Jake could get custody. I believed Lenny when he said it was over custody. I even convinced CC that even though Angie was a woman she was in on it. I knew Jake was guilty. Control, jealousy, abuse, and custody. Those were Jake's motivations. As common as rain in the springtime. I could see Angie's motivation. Control and custody. I could see Billy's motivation. He loved Angie and did everything Angie wanted him to.

But I never could see why George would risk his son he had full custody of for his brother. He just didn't fit. During George's trial there was reasonable doubt all over the place. I could not have voted guilty on him. Years later, no matter how many times I watch his trial I still can't come to a guilty verdict. I get a sick feeling in my heart every time I hear that guilty verdict.

I remember FW and RW coming to only George's hearings and speaking to him. They never went to Jake or Angie's. Why did they show up for George but not for Angie or Jake? I did a good job convincing everyone that the W's did it. Too good, I think.

I don't believe the judge is biased. I think he is just a logical fair-minded person. I wish George would have gotten him as the judge in his trial.

But once more I will venture MY OPINION ONLY.

Jake- death penalty
Angie- LWOP
George- 20 years eligible for parole in 10
Billy - LWOP or 20 years, no parole.

Since I haven't been on here for years, I may have broken some WS rules. If so, I apologize to the hardworking Moderators.

JMO

I always had doubts about George as well. If he was there, I believe he was somewhat forced and threatened. He was always giving them instructions, as, don’t talk on the phone, we need to have emergency family meeting, as if he was outside the box looking in. As in saying, this is what you guys are doing wrong because he wasn’t involved he could look at it differently and give advice. I do believe he helped hide and destroy evidence. The reason I think that if he was there, that’s why he didn’t shoot, because he was being forced. But my opinions and gut feelings have been wrong before.

 

[Seattle1]

The jury was unanimous here -- based on the evidence, they didn't believe GW IV was void of any knowledge of his family's murder plan, and what they intended to do. Under both Ohio's felony murder and conspiracy laws, little chance he'd not be convicted.

I think most agree that it's difficult to see Jake with a lesser sentence but perhaps GW IV should have been the first to talk and testify against his family with the hope of a chance at parole. Even better if GW IV warned the Rhodens and saved their lives. JMO

Ohio man found guilty in trial over family massacre of 8

George Wagner IV was charged in what prosecutors say was a 2016 plot against eight members of the Rhoden family over a bitter custody dispute.

www.nbcnews.com

Nov 30, 2022

A jury convicted George Wagner IV on Wednesday afternoon on multiple counts of aggravated murder and other charges related to conspiracy and attempts to cover up evidence in the 2016 massacre of the Rhoden family.

Wagner, who was not accused of shooting anyone, testified during the trial that he was unaware of his family's deadly plans. [..]

Canepa said Wagner should be found guilty, even if he didn’t kill any of the Rhodens himself.

"He doesn’t have to be the person that actually pulled the trigger," she said.

"You were complicit, because you knew what was going to happen, you knew what they were going to do, and you aided and abetted them," she said of Wagner.

During closing arguments, Wagner's defense attorney told jurors that Wagner had no reason to participate in the killing of Hanna Rhoden and her family. Instead, he said, the blame lay with Wagner’s brother Jake and their mother, Angela.

"Jake and Angela have destroyed this man’s life," John Parker said of his client.

 

[Betty P]

@pattinewberry

The visiting judge in #PikeCountymassacre #BillyWagner has ruffled feathers since joining the case -- and before that, elsewhere. From today's @enquirer:
https://t.co/Wj0uuYZFDU

https://twitter.com/x/status/1894361002348523817

I was finally able to read the linked article, formerly behind a paywall. Here are some excerpts:

• Last November, Columbus attorney Bret Adams, a 25-year veteran of the Ohio State Bar Association’s Professional Conduct Committee, took to Facebook and Pike County’s newspaper with his criticisms of Hein. “His arrogance is a stain on the profession,” Adams told The Enquirer.
• Around the same time, Logan County Prosecutor Eric Stewart asked Hein to recuse himself from a case, after the judge dismissed key evidence in a drunken driving case. Hein rejected that, but did turn the case back over to the county’s sitting judge and his earlier decision was reversed on appeal. “I’d never had a judge act like this before,” Stewart said in a phone interview.
• In December, Union City Police Chief Mark Ater weighed in. In Darke County, “Hein’s courtroom was often marked by antics and chest-beating displays aimed at asserting his authority rather than fostering justice,” Ater said in a letter to the Pike County News Watchman. He elaborated in multiple additional emails, concluding “Judge Hein, in a nutshell, is unreasonable, arbitrary and unconscionable.”

"Even a Pike County politician went public with his concerns. “This a--hole makes my county look bad,” County Commission Chair Tony Montgomery told the News Watchman for a Jan. 7 story. “I blame the Supreme Court members who thought he was a fit appointment.”

The article notes that Hein has been the subject of 11 affidavits of disqualification since he became a judge. The Ohio Supreme Court denied 6 of those requests, but in the remainder, Hein either recused himself from those cases or otherwise left them.

 

[RAISINISBACK]

The jury was unanimous here -- based on the evidence, they didn't believe GW IV was void of any knowledge of his family's murder plan, and what they intended to do. Under both Ohio's felony murder and conspiracy laws, little chance he'd not be convicted.

I think most agree that it's difficult to see Jake with a lesser sentence but perhaps GW IV should have been the first to talk and testify against his family with the hope of a chance at parole. Even better if GW IV warned the Rhodens and saved their lives. JMO

Ohio man found guilty in trial over family massacre of 8

George Wagner IV was charged in what prosecutors say was a 2016 plot against eight members of the Rhoden family over a bitter custody dispute.

www.nbcnews.com

Nov 30, 2022

A jury convicted George Wagner IV on Wednesday afternoon on multiple counts of aggravated murder and other charges related to conspiracy and attempts to cover up evidence in the 2016 massacre of the Rhoden family.

Wagner, who was not accused of shooting anyone, testified during the trial that he was unaware of his family's deadly plans. [..]

Canepa said Wagner should be found guilty, even if he didn’t kill any of the Rhodens himself.

"He doesn’t have to be the person that actually pulled the trigger," she said.

"You were complicit, because you knew what was going to happen, you knew what they were going to do, and you aided and abetted them," she said of Wagner.

During closing arguments, Wagner's defense attorney told jurors that Wagner had no reason to participate in the killing of Hanna Rhoden and her family. Instead, he said, the blame lay with Wagner’s brother Jake and their mother, Angela.

"Jake and Angela have destroyed this man’s life," John Parker said of his client.

I agree. One phone call to Reader. That's all it took. I agree he should have gotten time. But not that much. Not more time than Angie who was the prime instigator. 20 years eligible for parole after 10 would have been fair for George.
Angie wanted SW, she told Billy SW was being abused. Billy whom I believe was a few bricks shy of a full load was in love with Angie. She manipulated him into believing what she said with no evidence. I believe she used the example of CR, the father of Chris and Kenny to convince Billy. He went along with what Angie said because he was in love with her. She was an obsession he couldn't overcome. According to Angie even Jake balked when first approached with the plan. He didn't want to kill the mother of his child. George tried to talk Angie out of it.

What a difference it would have made if George made that call. But from his testimony, I think he was terrified of Angie. I truly believe that had he made that call, since no crime was committed, Angie would have not been arrested, and George would have had a fatal accident. George tried to leave several times with his ex-wife and son, according to his ex-wife. Each time Angie chased them down, threatened and cajoled George into staying. The ex-wife testified George was afraid of his parents, especially Angie. Long and short of it George was a coward. If he had made the call there would have been only 1 murder, (his), not 8. But then throw in his own son who was alone with Angie while he worked. Did the thought cross his mind that if he made that call his own son would have ended up dead at Angie's hands for his (George's) betrayal to the family? It would have crossed mine.
We will never know now. Would it have made a difference if he had told the jury he was terrified of his parents so went along to get along? That he didn't have money to pay a babysitter and was afraid for his son if he made the call to betray his mother? I hope one day we hear the truth of what went on in George's head.

This is all just speculation on my part. JUST MY OPINION.

But Billy should get as much or more time than George.

Angie's sweet deal should be reexamined, and she should get more time than any of the others.

George should start talking, testify at Billy's trial and tell the truth this time. If he was in fear for his son's life or his own if he betrayed Angie by making that call to save the R's he should get on that stand and tell the jury that during Billy's trial. Maybe get LE to take another look at Angie's deal. Her sentence is not carved in stone yet. Not until she testifies in Billy's trial. If George testifies in Billy's trial, her deal could be off the table, and she gets what she deserves. More time than any of the rest of them.

It won't help him or his sentence, but it might make a difference in whether his ex-wife brings his son to see him, since his ex-wife testified that he was afraid of his mother. Maybe she will be more open to his seeing his son. This time around George needs to grow a set and get on that stand for the prosecution and get Angie's deal taken off the table.

But I won't hold my breath.

MY OPINION ONLY

 

[Puzzles8]

I agree. One phone call to Reader. That's all it took. I agree he should have gotten time. But not that much. Not more time than Angie who was the prime instigator. 20 years eligible for parole after 10.
Angie wanted SW, she told Billy SW was being abused. Billy whom I believe was a few bricks shy of a full load was in love with Angie. She manipulated him into believing what she said with no evidence. I believe she used the example of CR, the father of Chris and Kenny to convince Billy. He went along with what Angie said because he was in love with her. She was an obsession he couldn't overcome. According to Angie even Jake balked when first approached with the plan. He didn't want to kill the mother of his child. George tried to talk Angie out of it.

What a difference it would have made if George made that call. But from his testimony, I think he was terrified of Angie. I truly believe that had he made that call, since no crime was committed, Angie would have not been arrested, and George would have had a fatal accident. George tried to leave several times with his ex-wife and son, according to his ex-wife. Each time Angie chased them down, threatened and cajoled George into staying. The ex-wife testified George was afraid of his parents, especially Angie. Long and short of it George was a coward. If he had made the call there would have been only 1 murder, (his), not 8. But then throw in his own son who was alone with Angie while he worked. Did the thought cross his mind that if he made that call his own son would have ended up dead at Angie's hands for his (George's) betrayal to the family? It would have crossed mine.
We will never know now. Would it have made a difference if he had told the jury he was terrified of his parents so went along to get along? That he didn't have money to pay a babysitter and was afraid for his son if he made the call to betray his mother? I hope one day we hear the truth of what went on in George's head.

This is all just speculation on my part. JUST MY OPINION.

But Billy should get as much or more time than George.

Angie's sweet deal should be reexamined, and she should get more time than any of the others.

George should start talking, testify at Billy's trial and tell the truth this time. If he was in fear for his son's life or his own if he betrayed Angie by making that call to save the R's he should get on that stand and tell the jury that during Billy's trial. Maybe get LE to take another look at Angie's deal. Her sentence is not carved in stone yet. Not until she testifies in Billy's trial. If George testifies in Billy's trial, her deal could be off the table, and she gets what she deserves. More time than any of the rest of them.

It won't help him or his sentence, but it might make a difference in whether his ex-wife brings his son to see him, since his ex-wife testified that he was afraid of his mother. Maybe she will be more sympatric to his seeing his son. This time around George needs to grow a set and get on that stand for the prosecution and get Angie's deal taken off the table.

But I won't hold my breath.

MY OPINION ONLY

BBM
"But Billy should get as much or more time than George."

I could not agree more.

JMO

 

[Betty P]

Maybe get LE to take another look at Angie's deal. Her sentence is not carved in stone yet. Not until she testifies in Billy's trial. I

Too late. Judge Hein already officially sentenced her and Jake. It's up in the air as to whether they have to testify against Billy now. That's why the prosecution, the victims families and all of us are upset with Judge Hein. He also took the DP off the table for Billy. In spite of all that "persuasion" by the new Judge, Billy still insists on going to trial. The problem is that the state may not be able to make Angie or Jake testify against him. They'll have to make the case on their own, in another county.

Judge Hein claims he made all these changes to get the trial over with quicker or to force Billy to sign a plea deal. He handed out a lot of favors, but Billy still insists on going to trial. Whatever plea deal Hein offered for Billy (details aren't public) prosecution thought it was too generous and presented a burden to the surviving family members. My guess is that Hein's deal for Billy was a rather short sentence with parole. It was lenient enough that Angela Canepa appealed to have the judge removed from the case.

 

[Covert Operative]

Too late. Judge Hein already officially sentenced her and Jake. It's up in the air as to whether they have to testify against Billy now. That's why the prosecution, the victims families and all of us are upset with Judge Hein. He also took the DP off the table for Billy. In spite of all that "persuasion" by the new Judge, Billy still insists on going to trial. The problem is that the state may not be able to make Angie or Jake testify against him. They'll have to make the case on their own, in another county.

Judge Hein claims he made all these changes to get the trial over with quicker or to force Billy to sign a plea deal. He handed out a lot of favors, but Billy still insists on going to trial. Whatever plea deal Hein offered for Billy (details aren't public) prosecution thought it was too generous and presented a burden to the surviving family members. My guess is that Hein's deal for Billy was a rather short sentence with parole. It was lenient enough that Angela Canepa appealed to have the judge removed from the case.

Canepa filed a motion with the court of appeals of motion for leave of appeal. It is to appeal Jake and Angela's sentence/sentencing. It was granted and she can appeal. I think she has 40 days to file the official appeal.

Jake's lawyer filed a motion asking the court of appeals to reconsider allowing Canepa that appeal. That has not been ruled on yet.

I am not sure exactly what Canepa is asking for the remedy to be, but hopefully she will win that appeal. I am not sure how or if it will help that much if she does win, but she has to try at least.

 

[Betty P]

Canepa filed a motion for leave of appeal, to the court of appeals to appeal Jake and Angela's sentence/sentencing. It was granted and she can appeal. I think she has 40 days to file the official appeal. Jake's lawyer filed a motion for the court of appeals to reconsider allowing Canepa that appeal. I am not sure exactly what Canepa is asking for the remedy to be, but hopefully she will win that appeal. I am not sure how or if it will help that much if she does win, but she has to try at least.

Yes, there may be some hope. Either way, its making the road to Billy's trial that much longer.

 

[Niner]

Docket update for BW for:

Appeal #2024CA000931

03/05/2025 NOTICE OF APPEARANCE
Attorney: TAYLOR, STEVEN L
Attorney: GILBERT, SETH L

03/05/2025 REPLY BRIEF OF PLAINTIFF-APPELLANT STATE OF OHIO FILED
COPIES FILED EMAILED TO COUNSEL, 4 TO COURT OF APPEALS

link: https://cpcourt.pikecounty.oh.gov/e...4rXO06hJu*eKBXsXDIHPEOwLAOF*1yqeW94kZUHwNGhRQ

 

[RAISINISBACK]

Too late. Judge Hein already officially sentenced her and Jake. It's up in the air as to whether they have to testify against Billy now. That's why the prosecution, the victims families and all of us are upset with Judge Hein. He also took the DP off the table for Billy. In spite of all that "persuasion" by the new Judge, Billy still insists on going to trial. The problem is that the state may not be able to make Angie or Jake testify against him. They'll have to make the case on their own, in another county.

Judge Hein claims he made all these changes to get the trial over with quicker or to force Billy to sign a plea deal. He handed out a lot of favors, but Billy still insists on going to trial. Whatever plea deal Hein offered for Billy (details aren't public) prosecution thought it was too generous and presented a burden to the surviving family members. My guess is that Hein's deal for Billy was a rather short sentence with parole. It was lenient enough that Angela Canepa appealed to have the judge removed from the case.

But if George testifies for the prosecution......it could be a whole different ball game for Billy and Angie. And sentences can be revoked. Or charges added for lying on the stand or obstruction of justice or a whole plethora of charges for Angie. I would love to see her deal taken away and her get LWOP. She did this. The men may have helped but she did this.

JMO

 

[RAISINISBACK]

Canepa filed a motion with the court of appeals of motion for leave of appeal. It is to appeal Jake and Angela's sentence/sentencing. It was granted and she can appeal. I think she has 40 days to file the official appeal.

Jake's lawyer filed a motion asking the court of appeals to reconsider allowing Canepa that appeal. That has not been ruled on yet.

I am not sure exactly what Canepa is asking for the remedy to be, but hopefully she will win that appeal. I am not sure how or if it will help that much if she does win, but she has to try at least.

Canepa filed a motion with the court of appeals of motion for leave of appeal. It is to appeal Jake and Angela's sentence/sentencing. It was granted and she can appeal.

We can hope. Maybe Angie will get what's coming to her after all. I hope George grows a set and gets on that stand to testify for Canepa. Let the public know how evil Angie is so public outcry is so strong her sentence gets revoked, and she gets LWOP.

JMO

 

[RAISINISBACK]

Yes, there may be some hope. Either way, its making the road to Billy's trial that much longer.

But it would be worth the extra time to see Angie's sweet deal disappear and her get LWOP.

JMO

 

[Betty P]

Canepa filed a motion with the court of appeals of motion for leave of appeal. It is to appeal Jake and Angela's sentence/sentencing. It was granted and she can appeal.

We can hope. Maybe Angie will get what's coming to her after all. I hope George grows a set and gets on that stand to testify for Canepa. Let the public know how evil Angie is so public outcry is so strong her sentence gets revoked, and she gets LWOP.

JMO

I’d like to see Billy convicted. The others have been sentenced already. He helped strategize and plan the murders. He also killed Kenneth and Chris Sr., his friends.

 

[Lilttledoggie]

I’d like to see Billy convicted. The others have been sentenced already. He helped strategize and plan the murders. He also killed Kenneth and Chris

I’d like to see Billy convicted. The others have been sentenced already. He helped strategize and plan the murders. He also killed Kenneth and Chris Sr., his friends.

Wasn’t he the one to first mention to Angie the killing of the Rhodens to solve their problem