GUILTY OH - Pike Co, 8 in Rhoden Family Murdered Over Custody Issue, 4 Members Wagner Family Arrested #68

[Betty P]

After the Rhoden family murders, I kept checking for arrests, etc. It finally happened. The wheels of justice definitely turn slowly.

I remember that! You and someone else ? regularly checked the Pike County jail roster to see who was arrested. Great work!

 

[Piffcat]

Yes, the Wagners definitely went too far in trying to frame the Manley family. JMO They "jumped the shark". There are times, looking back, when it seems this could have become a "cold case".

ETA: My theory has been that JW or AW had hacked the Facebook messaging accounts, email, etc. of James M and his wife. Jake was sending fake messages to make it look like they were in contact with someone around the time of the murders. Hidden video cam is also possible. Wasn't there info in a news story that the Wags put a video camera on one of the Rhoden's dogs?

the dog thing has always mystified me. think the exact words were anti surveillance device or something. since they raise dogs im thinkin either gps trackers to map the parameters of the electric dog fence or a noise maker type to disable the dogs. without going into rumors there were most likely security elements crsr had they would want to avoid if they were approaching from the power lines. knowing boundaries of dog fence would show them how to avoid dogs, but also safe places to walk. if crsr wanted to put measures such as booby trap or warning system hed have to keep dogs away from it. the wagners knew they could not take crsr or others if they were awake. imo thats why g4 went, 2 would not be enough. bulletproof vests, death papers by g4 walking away from uhr was not a guarantee . from the crime scene info seems crsr may have nearly saved his family. thinking of his last hours is heartbreaking. and ppl u know they were friends for so long to see the deadness in their eyes when they followed thru its horrible.

 

[Betty P]

the dog thing has always mystified me. think the exact words were anti surveillance device or something. since they raise dogs im thinkin either gps trackers to map the parameters of the electric dog fence or a noise maker type to disable the dogs. without going into rumors there were most likely security elements crsr had they would want to avoid if they were approaching from the power lines. knowing boundaries of dog fence would show them how to avoid dogs, but also safe places to walk. if crsr wanted to put measures such as booby trap or warning system hed have to keep dogs away from it. the wagners knew they could not take crsr or others if they were awake. imo thats why g4 went, 2 would not be enough. bulletproof vests, death papers by g4 walking away from uhr was not a guarantee . from the crime scene info seems crsr may have nearly saved his family. thinking of his last hours is heartbreaking. and ppl u know they were friends for so long to see the deadness in their eyes when they followed thru its horrible.

I feel badly for Dana, too. Its said she suspected something bad was going to happen. Poor woman trying to fight the Wagners as they came to kill her family. The gs wounds inflicted upon her were horrendous, overkill.

 

[altojack]

Thank You for this. I wish I had stayed more up to date on this case. It seems impossible at this point. But I try.

There has been and still is some brilliant researchers and posters here that have carried this case through from the very beginning. We wouldn't be here if it weren't for then. I don't put myself in the same class as my input is very little due to the fact of restrictions to us in Europe.

I do my best to keep up and feel close to the case. I take my hat off to the wonderful family here on this Thread.

Any news on Raisin please?

 

[Betty P]

There has been and still is some brilliant researchers and posters here that have carried this case through from the very beginning. We wouldn't be here if it weren't for then. I don't put myself in the same class as my input is very little due to the fact of restrictions to us in Europe.

I do my best to keep up and feel close to the case. I take my hat off to the wonderful family here on this Thread.

Any news on Raisin please?

Haven't heard anything since her husband last posted here. Hopefully we'll get an update soon! @RAISINISBACK As always, she's in our prayers!

 

[IType]

Since you and I are discussing this at this time and I am sure that you and I understand what we are discussing, I will add that there has never been anyone stating or claiming that JW was at JM's GJ hearing that I have seen.

Agreed.

 

[Niner]

I have them both (GW3 & GW4) scheduled for April 4th. Regarding the shoe print - the prosecutor said he'd have an expert - and it would be better if both parties were there.
I looked in the court site - but GW3 doesn't have that on his hearing dates, but neither does GW4. GW4's date is in the docket part.
I'll keep them both there - just in case....

 

[altojack]

Haven't heard anything since her husband last posted here. Hopefully we'll get an update soon! @RAISINISBACK As always, she's in our prayers!

Thanks Betty.

 

[Nanasteele]

Did any of the Wagner's go to the funerals? I don't remember seeing it anywhere? They are so cold I would not put it past them!

 

[Berrybell]

Did any of the Wagner's go to the funerals? I don't remember seeing it anywhere? They are so cold I would not put it past them!

I don't remember anyone saying

 

[ohioexpat63]

I believe what the state is saying is it doesn't matter if GW4 shot or killed anyone. He is just as guilty because he helped plan the murders, he was there that night, and he then he helped get rid of the evidence. I felt AW got a sweet deal. I just don't believe, or wanna believe, 4 will get off as easily. All my opinion.

 

[Covert Operative]

Did any of the Wagner's go to the funerals? I don't remember seeing it anywhere? They are so cold I would not put it past them!

It's my opinion that JW may have attended. No opinion on the other 3.

 

[Cool Cats]

I believe what the state is saying is it doesn't matter if GW4 shot or killed anyone. He is just as guilty because he helped plan the murders, he was there that night, and he then he helped get rid of the evidence. I felt AW got a sweet deal. I just don't believe, or wanna believe, 4 will get off as easily. All my opinion.

According to Canepa the Complicity Statute allowed the State to indict George as a Principal Offender. The State did not know who shot who but under the Complicity Statute all 4 could be indicted as Principle Offenders.

Even if George - out of the 4 Wagners - was not the Principal Offender, if there was prior calculation and design, George can be indicted as a Principal Offender.

The months of pre-planning constitutes the prior calculation and design.

Section 2923.03 - Ohio Revised Code | Ohio Laws
Section 2923.03 | Complicity.

(2) Aid or abet another in committing the offense;

(3) Conspire with another to commit the offense in violation of section 2923.01 of the Revised Code;

 

[Betty P]

According to Canepa the Complicity Statute allowed the State to indict George as a Principal Offender. The State did not know who shot who but under the Complicity Statute all 4 could be indicted as Principle Offenders.

Even if George - out of the 4 Wagners - was not the Principal Offender, if there was prior calculation and design, George can be indicted as a Principal Offender.

The months of pre-planning constitutes the prior calculation and design.

Section 2923.03 - Ohio Revised Code | Ohio Laws
Section 2923.03 | Complicity.

(2) Aid or abet another in committing the offense;

(3) Conspire with another to commit the offense in violation of section 2923.01 of the Revised Code;

True. As info, criminals are routinely convicted under this statute in Ohio and similar ones in other states . It's not unusual.

Here's a link to the story of a man who helped his ex-girlfriend murder her husband. He was convicted of complicity even though he wasn't present when the guy was killed. He ended up helping the prosecution and had his sentence reduced to LWOP.

Dateline 'Venom' episode covered murder of snake breeder Ben Renick

 

[ohioexpat63]

Even more 3eason for the state not give anything less than life in any sort of plea.

 

[Cool Cats]

Even more 3eason for the state not give anything less than life in any sort of plea.

A plea giving him life wouldn't be any different then him going to trial and getting life.

Giving him a plea of 30 years like Angela, might make him more interested. Then it's the choice of a cap of 27 more years or the possibility of getting life.

If the prosecution did offer George the same plea as Angie then I think it's safe to say he did not take it but still could.

If he was offered Angie's plea and goes to trial then he is gambling between 27 more years and getting stuck in prison for life.

I believe George is banking on geting acquitted of the murders and some of the other charges and ending up just getting 10 years or less, a much lower sentence then any plea he may have been offered.

But still, why take the great risk of getting LWOP?

<modsnip>

To take a plea means that George would likely have to plead guilty to the burglary and all of that, not something he would be willing to admit to.

 

[ohioexpat63]

Obviously, I ďont know what's going to happen. I do agree 4 thinks he will get lesser at trial. I think the line of thinking is foolish, imo.

For me, any plea CANNOT have an automatic release date. 30 to life with the possibility of parole after serving the entire 30 yrs would probably be acceptable to the family. But, I really don't know know and I've never been in the family's position.

 

[Betty P]

A plea giving him life wouldn't be any different then him going to trial and getting life.

Giving him a plea of 30 years like Angela, might make him more interested. Then it's the choice of a cap of 27 more years or the possibility of getting life.

If the prosecution did offer George the same plea as Angie then I think it's safe to say he did not take it but still could.

If he was offered Angie's plea and goes to trial then he is gambling between 27 more years and getting stuck in prison for life.

I believe George is banking on geting acquitted of the murders and some of the other charges and ending up just getting 10 years or less, a much lower sentence then any plea he may have been offered.

But still, why take the great risk of getting LWOP?

<modsnip>

To take a plea means that George would likely have to plead guilty to the burglary and all of that, not something he would be willing to admit to.

AW only got the 30 yrs because she wasn't present at the crime scenes and didn't actively participate in the murders that night. She didn't break in to the homes, etc.

GW4 did all of that and probably shot/killed at least one victim, so a 30 yr sentence for a plea deal sounds unrealistic.

The evidence is against him for nearly all 21 counts and specifications.

https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov...cial-Prosecutions/PikeCountyMurderIndictments

I doubt the family would agree to it. JMO

 

[Piffcat]

in no world would the family be satisfied with anything less then life without parole in my opinion. one of the sisters was furious at angelas plea deal and said so to the reporters at court day of her plea. she saw no remorse in angelas eyes or actions and pointed out she will have a second chance on the outside that none of her family members were granted.

this case more then any other highlights the extreme ineptitude and general uselessness of our criminal justice system. without an active death penalty the system becomes an inside joke to all murderers. i believe the deterent aspect of the death penalty is under valued and appreciated. notice how scared g4 is of getting the dp? thats the way it should be. 30 years in todays life expectancy is about one third of a lifetime. think about that. it would be inappropriate for a sentence if one person was killed.
this murder was a hate crime. the wagners killed the rhodens because they hated them. they hated them because the rhodens stood up to them for the benefit of their children and grandchildren. if you review previous cases, both criminal and civil, involving the wagner crime family they tell a tale of incompetent bullies, with no real skills other then intimidation and extortion. the way this case has been handled so far is an advertisement for murder without fitting consequences. it took the largest investigation in ohio history just to make an arrest, and what has followed is a folly of the court system. sadly without jakes plea these animals may have escaped. at least he did one good thing for unknown reasons. anyone of these 4 breathing air for a day is too much.

hanna tried to protect her daughter against these monsters and it cost her her life. 19 years old. her bravery along with the rest of the family should be commended. instead all we here about is who shot who. this minutia only helps the murderers. taking a step back at the whole situation they should all receive the death penalty. leonard manley not living to see the trial and execution is a miscarriage of justice.

here are your quotes and links

Rhoden wrote in one Facebook message, later produced as evidence: “(I’ll) never sign papers ever. They will have to kill me first.”

Rhoden relatives gathered outside after the hearing, consoling one another. One woman glared at Wagner from her car as Wagner exited the courthouse.

"I see a woman with no sympathy, no remorse," she said, commenting on the sentence. "She's getting 30 years more than what our family gets,"

Angela Wagner pleads guilty in Rhoden family murder case

 

[altojack]

Did any of the Wagner's go to the funerals? I don't remember seeing it anywhere? They are so cold I would not put it past them!

As far as I remember there was no Wagners there. None showed up on any photos from the press.