COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) —
September 19, 2018 at 4:33 PM EDT - Updated September 19 at 8:36 PM
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Reporters on Wednesday viewed preliminary autopsy reports in the still-unsolved slayings of eight Ohio family members in one of the state's most notorious crimes, following a decision by the Ohio Supreme Court. The reports provided few new details.
The court ruled unanimously in favor of the Cincinnati Enquirer, saying Ohio law allows reporters to view preliminary autopsy and investigative notes and findings, and photographs.
The Attorney General's Office, which is investigating the killings, made single-page reports for each victim available for inspection Wednesday morning. Under Ohio law, reporters can only view the information and are prohibited even from taking notes. No photos were released.
The report for victim Christopher Rhoden Sr. said he was shot nine times and notes without explanation that his body was decomposed "more than all the others."
It now appears that 40-year-old Christopher Rhoden Sr., the family patriarch, was among the first killed.
The reports indicate he was awake when he was confronted by at least one person with a gun.
He appeared to have suffered a defensive wound to his right forearm and that another bullet went through a door before hitting him, the
Chillicothe Gazette reported.
In addition to the bullet wound to his forearm, Rhoden also was shot in the torso and cheek.
(Chris and his cousin Gary were both found in the back bedroom with one or both apparently having been dragged from the front room according to the indictments.)
Rhoden family massacre: Autopsy reports indicate one victim was awake when fatally shot
Ohio Supreme Court rules reporters can view preliminary autopsy reports in Southern Ohio slayings