GUILTY OH Pike Co., 8 in Rhoden Family Murdered Over Custody Issue, 4 Members Wagner Family Arrested #61

[BeckyF]

Yes they still can. FW's case was dismissed without prejudice, meaning Its only dismissed temporarily.

RN has signed a plea agreement, but its contingent on her assisting the prosecution.

Wow! Thank You!

 

[molly1255]

Yes. There are still details to be worked out, but the DP is off the table for all of them. Thats contingent on him testifying against them at their trials.

I'm trying to think through the potential repercussions of dropping the death penalty for BW, AW and GW4 and how that will play out in terms of their willingness to take a plea. I think it means LWOP is the worse-case scenario for them and they might go for a trial to see if they can do better than LWOP. I'm not being critical of the prosecution for agreeing to dropping the death penalty for all as it appears they got much in return in getting Jake's guilty pleas, agreement to testify against his family and he's provided valuable information.

ETA: On the other hand, they may all decide to plead guilty and not go to trial because if Jake holds to his agreement to testify against them, I'm not so sure they would want the rest of the world to hear that testimony.

 

[Cool Cats]

I did just find the attached. It appears that in exchange for Jake's admission of guilt, agreement to testify against his family and providing additional information, the prosecution agreed to drop the DP on all four cases.

‘Nobody expected this:’ Why a legal expert is shocked by Jake Wagner’s plea deal (fox19.com)

I am still in a State of Shock....

To me this is a big deal -
The DP dropped for all 4 of them for Jake's testimony against his brother, mom and dad.

I can't even deal with this right now......Anyone?

Thanks y'all....

 

[molly1255]

I am still in a State of Shock....

To me this is a big deal -
The DP dropped for all 4 of them for Jake's testimony against his brother, mom and dad.

I can't even deal with this right now......Anyone?

Thanks y'all....

I think it is a big deal, too. LWOP is the worst case scenario for BW, AW and GW4. I did not fully understand this until just a few minutes ago.

 

[ohioexpat63]

LWOP allows for a little more freedom on the inside but it wont be any easier. In some aspects, they'll be more likely assaulted, or worse, in GP. Their lives will not be a walk in the park.

With a moratorium on executing the death penalty in Ohio, it would/could be decades before any were put to death by the state.

As far as rolling the dice and opting for trial, good luck with that.

 

[Cool Cats]

I think it is a big deal, too. LWOP is the worst case scenario for BW, AW and GW4. I did not fully understand this until just a few minutes ago.

A few minutes ago?

?

Interested in your opinion....

 

[Sunshine99]

I'm trying to think through the potential repercussions of dropping the death penalty for BW, AW and GW4 and how that will play out in terms of their willingness to take a plea. I think it means LWOP is the worse-case scenario for them and they might go for a trial to see if they can do better than LWOP. I'm not being critical of the prosecution for agreeing to dropping the death penalty for all as it appears they got much in return in getting Jake's guilty pleas, agreement to testify against his family and he's provided valuable information.

ETA: On the other hand, they may all decide to plead guilty and not go to trial because if Jake holds to his agreement to testify against them, I'm not so sure they would want the rest of the world to hear that testimony.

I, am very interested in hearing and watching that testimony. jmo

 

[Betty P]

LWOP allows for a little more freedom on the inside but it wont be any easier. In some aspects, they'll be more likely assaulted, or worse, in GP. Their lives will not be a walk in the park.

With a moratorium on executing the death penalty in Ohio, it would/could be decades before any were put to death by the state.

As far as rolling the dice and opting for trial, good luck with that.

I don't find it too surprising. The entire case is extremely unusual with 4 members of the same family killing eight members of another family. Even with his deal Jake is facing 8 life sentences p!us 160 years for various other charges.

If the others opt for trials, JMO its a fools errand with Jake testifying against them. They'll end up still getting 8 life sentences, plus the same extra years for the other charges.

They all end up staying locked up for life and the taxpayers of Ohio save the cost of DP trials and appeals for 4 people.

Keep in mind, this plea agreement was approved by the victims families. If they approve, its ok with me.

 

[ohioexpat63]

I agree on all accounts, Betty P. If it is good for the family it is good for me.

 

[CIA Team Member]

I agree on all accounts, Betty P. If it is good for the family it is good for me.

I wonder when/if we'll see a transcript of Jake's proffer.

 

[Dudly]

Wow! And on the fifth anniversary of their murders:



Jake Wagner of Rhoden family homicides in Pike County pleads guilty

Good to see you respond!!!

 

[sunshineray]

I've forgotten more than I remember about all of this. Is there any independent proof Jake picked up SW before the murders? Could it be they took SW after they committed the murders at DRs place?

Hopefully, these sort of questions will get answered and become public knowledge.

He said so himself in this article..."must gave missed if by hours"....then fter the "laser focus" comment by Dewine, JW and his mother said that wasn't the case and they had little SW for days. I'm sure reporter Chris Graves would have been called to testify about that if he hadn't pled.
Rhoden case: 'Hate seeing my daughter cry'

 

[sunshineray]

I am still in a State of Shock....

To me this is a big deal -
The DP dropped for all 4 of them for Jake's testimony against his brother, mom and dad.

I can't even deal with this right now......Anyone?

Thanks y'all....

Big shock to me also CC. Never thought this would happen.

In looking it up, Ohio has pretty consistently, since early 2000's, carried out state executions. If ever there was aggravated circumstances it would be the middle of the night killings of family in 4 locations and including mothers sleeping beside infants and a teenage boy's murder. It may have taken a decade or two but odds are the W4 would have been executed. If the others also plea, they can look forward to more visitors, communications with outsiders and maybe some even marriage and conjugal visits...if Ohio ever passes it. My state has that but doesn't have the death penalty, go figure.

 

[sunshineray]

I don't find it too surprising. The entire case is extremely unusual with 4 members of the same family killing eight members of another family. Even with his deal Jake is facing 8 life sentences p!us 160 years for various other charges.

If the others opt for trials, JMO its a fools errand with Jake testifying against them. They'll end up still getting 8 life sentences, plus the same extra years for the other charges.

They all end up staying locked up for life and the taxpayers of Ohio save the cost of DP trials and appeals for 4 people.

Keep in mind, this plea agreement was approved by the victims families. If they approve, its ok with me.

It's definitely ok by me too. The families don't need this to drag out any longer. The children are getting older and more aware and tech savvy every day. I sure hope the other 3 change their pleas also.

 

[sunshineray]

Anyone have thoughts on the texting and posting that supposedly went on with the Manleys, James and his wife April, in the early morning hours of April 22nd?

Was AM really txting with DR or with her killer? Why or even did JM get that 2-2:30 am txt and from whom? Same thing with DR posting on FB, was it really her or her killer?

 

[Scakes]

The state has been paying the attorney fees for the defense counsel of GW 3 and 4, also AW. Check the dockets, it shows approval of payment for them.

When you’re co-defendants and apply for court appointed attorneys, only one defendant can have a lawyer in the public defenders office. The others will get private attorneys who work for a reduced fee. I’m not sure if it was discussed before, but just thought I’d toss it out there.

please ignore this comment, I didn’t realize I hadn’t finished reading all of the comments. It’s too early and I’m without coffee still.

 

[sunshineray]

Will Jake Wagner’s plea be the first of four? The attorney for Bill Wagner, Mark Collins, said it remains to be seen. He issued a statement saying:
"Anytime you have a multiple co-defendant case in the criminal justice system, it is not surprising that someone makes a deal and agrees to cooperate. We do not know the extent of cooperation or what information was given. Once we receive that information. We will assess and advise our client appropriately. We understand that Jake Wagner’s attorneys are doing what they feel is best for their client, and we will do the same for our client.”

Mayor hopes plea signals beginning of the end of the Rhoden-Wagner ordeal

 

[twall]

Big shock to me also CC. Never thought this would happen.

In looking it up, Ohio has pretty consistently, since early 2000's, carried out state executions. If ever there was aggravated circumstances it would be the middle of the night killings of family in 4 locations and including mothers sleeping beside infants and a teenage boy's murder. It may have taken a decade or two but odds are the W4 would have been executed. If the others also plea, they can look forward to more visitors, communications with outsiders and maybe some even marriage and conjugal visits...if Ohio ever passes it. My state has that but doesn't have the death penalty, go figure.

I think Ohio is on its way to ending executions and capital punishment. The Governor halted executions in 2018.

Gov. DeWine halts executions, directs state to find alternatives to 3-drug lethal injection cocktail

 

[GoBuckeyes]

Yes how long has she been under medical care?
About 9 months?
Realizing your child, JW, was going to confess and seal your own fate could cause medical or mental issues.

I think it would take something more than depression, even severe depression, to be able to leave the jail for medical treatment. It's a huge security risk. They don't often hand out those opportunities for outside assessment and treatment. I think it was or is something pretty serious. MOO

 

[rescuemom]

The state has been paying the attorney fees for the defense counsel of GW 3 and 4, also AW. Check the dockets, it shows approval of payment for them.

Anyone know why Jake was the only one represented by a public defender and the others by court appointed lawyers?