Lead Investigator Scheiderer's testimony on the Wagner well search and murder kit
This is interesting because what was found in the well gave the GJ enough to indict the Wagners. This is not the last piece of evidence in the Case. There is information from the October 2019 search at FWF turned over to the Defense as well as Rita's Plea Bargain and her Proffer (to give evidence).
There was a hole in the ground in the Wagner's large red barn that was a well or a cistern. Cisterns differ from wells in that they are waterproof and collect storm water. Modern ones are ready-made with plastic, old ones often look like holes in the ground with waterproof motar, bricks, stones, etc.. They are a good backup for a dry well.
Granddaddy Trees and Old Cisterns– Part II
The Wagner's well/cistern was described as having a shallow water basin with the water being black and murky, full of sludge, and they couldn't see through it.
They searched it on 2 different days. The first time they used a metal detector and found a rifle casing - during testimony it was also referred to as a metal jacket - that encased the actual bullet. It was 7.62 by 39 for a 30 caliber and was burnt, exposed to fire/heat of some sort. It matches the ballistics found at scene #1, Chris Sr's.
At Dana's they found a 22 shell casing under the crib in HR's bedroom. At Frankie's they found a 22 long rifle cartridge in bed between them.
Other items were picked up by the metal detector that couldn't be retrieved so they enlisted the Franklin Co. Sheriff's Dive Team. There were several metal items recovered unspecified and a glass bottle. Right away they found the "smoking gun" an aluminium maglite tube fashioned into a suppressor. The serial number showed it was manufactured in January 2016.
The maglite was submitted to ATF who confirmed it was a suppressor, it met government standards. It was fired at least one time, they could see a bullet strike inside. It contained some of the items that the Wagner's purchased from February 2016 to April 2016.
Murder kit
First purchase on 2-26-16
Some items were purchased from Tactical Innovations Inc. billed to Jake.
10 Freeze plugs purchased at a local auto parts store paid for in cash, generic
maglite flashlights, nuts, 1 quantity thread adapters/protectors for Colt Numarex 1911, 2 bait nets to make brass catchers, bug detectors for counter surveillance, night scope, masks.
Bought on March 27, 2016 and consistent for use with a 30 caliber firearm are SKS magazines and SKS ammunition, a AR 15 brass catcher was also bought that day.
Purchased items were for 40, 30, and 22 caliber firearms. The firearms used at the crime scenes were 40, 30 and 22 caliber.
George said he bought a Captain America mask even though they do not celebrate Halloween. It goes against their religion, at least against Jake's religion, because on multiple occasions George was heard mocking Jake for his religion.
One way BCI surveiled the Wagners was through remote surveillance. A woman is the
confidential reliable source who overheard the Wagners plotting revenge. During Scheiderer's testimony Canepa referred to her as a confidential witness. Be interesting to see if she takes the stand during trial.
