OH - Pike Co, 8 in Rhoden Family Murdered Over Custody Issue, 4 Members Wagner Family Arrested #70

[Betty P]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1564315798625083394

Not surprising. GW4 doesn't want to visit the crime scenes and trailers with the jurors. He doesn't want to revisit the scenes of these slaughters. We know he had no emotions or feelings about the victims. Maybe it reminds him of how upset he is that he and his family got caught and are spending the rest of their lives in prison.

Looks like quite a tour for the jurors. They're not just going to the 4 crime scenes, they're also visiting the Wags Peterson Rd farm, the large pond at Flying W Farm where they hid the murder weapons. Also the Bethel Hill Rd property, owned by Fred Wagner and believed to be the "staging area" for the murders as well as the place they went to afterwards to change clothes, get rid of evidence, etc. Also 28171 State Rte 41 in Peebles - the place where they stored their trailers and possessions prior to the move to AK. Also where LE searched and found some key documents and evidence in the cases, including the Walmart receipt for shoes and the forged custody documents.

28171 State Rte 41 · 28171 State Rte 41, Peebles, OH 45660

28171 State Rte 41, Peebles, OH 45660

www.google.com

 

[Ann99]

does this include the trailer homes??

Idk, but possibly. Maybe someone will know if that 28171 St Rt 41 Village of Peebles, Adams County is the storage place for the trailers Rhodens lived in.
Looking at Betty’s post, it may not be the trailers they lived in.
Can a local comment?

 

[Ann99]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1564317067649712131

https://twitter.com/x/status/1564317069419708416

https://twitter.com/x/status/1564317071202295808

 

[Betty P]

Does this include the trailer homes?? If I was him I wouldn't go to the crime scenes either..coward!

The link only has a partial view of the motion filed. Can't read the whole page. We'll learn more later.

 

[Betty P]

Idk, but possibly. Maybe someone will know if that 28171 St Rt 41 Village of Peebles, Adams County is the storage place for the trailers Rhodens lived in.
Looking at Betty’s post, it may not be the trailers they lived in.
Can a local comment?

Those were trailers for their semi-trucks. They were full of their possessions they were taking to Alaska.

The other trailers we were referring to were the actual house trailers/mobile homes in which the victims were living and sleeping when they were murdered.

The address of 28171 State Rt 41 in Peebles is the location where the Wags temporarily stored the semi-truck trailers, which were filled with their possessions.

ETA: The full page of the doc is shown at this link

https://twitter.com/x/status/1564317067649712131

At the bottom it mentions going to see a truck used in the murders and the Rhoden's residential trailers and a camper, which are held at the impound lot of the Pike County Sheriff's Office.

So it appears the jurors will see a LOT on this tour. It's not all the evidence, there's much more, but it starts them out with an understanding of what happened, when, where and how.

 

[justtrish]

Those were trailers for their semi-trucks. They were full of their possessions they were taking to Alaska.

The other trailers we were referring to were the actual house trailers/mobile homes in which the victims were living and sleeping when they were murdered.

The address of 28171 State Rt 41 in Peebles is the location where the Wags temporarily stored the semi-truck trailers, which were filled with their possessions.

ETA: The full page of the doc is shown at this link

https://twitter.com/x/status/1564317067649712131

At the bottom it mentions going to see a truck used in the murders and the Rhoden's residential trailers and a camper, which are held at the impound lot of the Pike County Sheriff's Office.

So it appears the jurors will see a LOT on this tour. It's not all the evidence, there's much more, but it starts them out with an understanding of what happened, when, where and how.

Does anyone know if this is something that regularly happens? I can't think of a trial I've followed that involved taking the jury to the crime scene, but maybe I just missed this part. Maybe in smaller scenes, the photos are enough and can give a good enough idea, but this one is so massive they want to really show just how much planning was needed to hit each of these homes in the way they did in one night?

 

[Betty P]

Does anyone know if this is something that regularly happens? I can't think of a trial I've followed that involved taking the jury to the crime scene, but maybe I just missed this part. Maybe in smaller scenes, the photos are enough and can give a good enough idea, but this one is so massive they want to really show just how much planning was needed to hit each of these homes in the way they did in one night?

Yes, I've heard of it before. In this case, its because the Rhoden Massacre was so uncommon, so extreme. It's hard to get a grasp of the idea that these men set out to murder 8 people in their sleep in 4 different homes, miles apart, all on the same night. Its a diabolical, brutal crime spree.

The jurors need to see how it was possible for the Wagners to prepare, get in their vehicles, drive to each location, murder the inhabitants, get back in their vehicles, go to the next site and do it again and again and again. It will demonstrate how depraved they were and how meticulously they planned the murder spree to accomplish it in a short period of time without being seen by outside witnesses or LE.

They need to see the trailers to understand how methodically the killers planned and worked - how they entered, quickly moved to the bedrooms of the victims and killed them before the could call 911 or even cry out to warn other family members. Without seeing it first-hand, its possible the jury would be overwhelmed and confused with details by the defense team.

It's an unusual, complicated murder with a LOT of evidence to review. Among the few defense tactics the killers' attorneys have is to confuse jurors enough to make one or two vote for a mistrial. These jurors literally have to "take a class" to understand what happened that night. JMO

 

[Dudly]

She wrote some great stories about the murders. She managed to get close to Angela and Jake, even following them to Alaska. She even changed one story that she wrote about them where Jake inadvertently admitted he was at Dana Rhoden's house the night of the murders. IIRC, Chris Graves quoted him as saying he barely missed being there when the killers arrived. Later, Angela had Chris Graves issue a correction to the article, stating that Jake wasn't there that night.

Apparently, JMO, she believed the Wagners lies for quite a long time, though eventually she came around. It's still disappointing to hear her repeat on national media the false information from GW4's attorneys that GW4 didn't shoot anyone the night of the murders. If CG did a thorough job of listening to the multitude of pre-trial hearings, she would know the state continues to aver that GW4 did shoot that night. An objective reporter would know the state is honoring the judge's gag order and is refusing to respond to the defense's baseless claims in the news media. An objective reporter would not claim that GW4 didn't shoot anyone that night - instead they would say "the defense says this and the state says that".

I guess you could say CG is a good writer, but I wouldn't say she's a good journalist. Not right now anyway. JMO

Why is it you say she apparently believed the Wagner’s lies a long time? What did she write to give you that impression?

 

[Dudly]

Those were trailers for their semi-trucks. They were full of their possessions they were taking to Alaska.

The other trailers we were referring to were the actual house trailers/mobile homes in which the victims were living and sleeping when they were murdered.

The address of 28171 State Rt 41 in Peebles is the location where the Wags temporarily stored the semi-truck trailers, which were filled with their possessions.

ETA: The full page of the doc is shown at this link

https://twitter.com/x/status/1564317067649712131

At the bottom it mentions going to see a truck used in the murders and the Rhoden's residential trailers and a camper, which are held at the impound lot of the Pike County Sheriff's Office.

So it appears the jurors will see a LOT on this tour. It's not all the evidence, there's much more, but it starts them out with an understanding of what happened, when, where and how.

There were no Wagner semi-truck trailers at this place. They didn’t own the trailers used when they drove trucks. These were all trailers pulled behind a pickup truck. Some were enclosed and some were open and covered with tarps from the pictures I have seen…

 

[Puzzles8]

Idk, but possibly. Maybe someone will know if that 28171 St Rt 41 Village of Peebles, Adams County is the storage place for the trailers Rhodens lived in.
Looking at Betty’s post, it may not be the trailers they lived in.
Can a local comment?

Not a local, but the the trailers found on the 41 property were not the trailers they lived in. The storage area on the 41 property was owned by a friend of Jake's. It was where the W4 kept their packed trucks and trailers for several days in early May 2017 when they sold and moved out of the Peterson Farm.

Shortly after the extensive initial May 2017 raids on FWF (Flying Wagner Farms - Fredericka's Farm) and the Peterson Farm (where the W4 lived), LE also raided the 41 property. Stored there were Jake's and George's trucks, the W4's two packed trailers and a smaller white enclosed trailer. I believe a substantial amount of evidence was found during that search. LE confiscated the enclosed white trailer.

Soon after the raids, the W4 left for AK in their two trucks and the two remaining trailers.

JMO

 

[Betty P]

Why is it you say she apparently believed the Wagner’s lies a long time? What did she write to give you that impression?

She seemed interested in showing their side of the story, even going to AK to interview them and their minister, visit their church. She willingly changed their story about Jake being at Dana's hours before the murders. Her article was sympathetic to Jake, helpful in his attempts to gain custody of his daughter, mentioning his GoFundMe page that was raising money to cover his legal expenses for the custody battle. She didn't question any of that. All of this is my own analysis and JMO. YMMV

Recently, she's echoed the unsubstantiated belief that GW4 didn't shoot anyone the night of the murders, even though the prosecution has alleged that's a false statement. TBH, Court TV is also echoing the defense team's talking points.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/07/30/rhoden-family/

Here are the paragraphs in which the author reports the defense claim that GW4 didn't kill anyone and affirms that he could still be convicted for other offenses related to the murders. She takes the defense's word on this allegation without question or presenting the possibility that the defense attorneys are misrepresenting the evidence, as the state claims

Parker said in a motion that Jake Wagner “clearly stated that George did not shoot anybody … was not supposed to go with Jake and Billy on this murder spree, and only went at the last second to protect Jake from Billy, who it was thought might kill Jake at the end of the series of aggravated murders.”

Ohio law holds, however, that someone involved in a conspiracy to commit murder is as guilty as the person who actually carries out the killing.

There's other instances where she's affirmed the defense "facts", but she's entitled to have her opinion. This is my assessment and opinion. JMO. YMMV

 

[Puzzles8]

For those new to the thread here are some of the common abbreviations used:

Billy, BW or G3 - George Washington Wagner III. No, I have no idea why everyone calls him Billy
AW or Angie - Angela Wagner
George or G4 - George Washington Wagner IV
Jake - Jacob Edward Wagner (maybe Edward Jacob?)
FW - Freckericka Wagner (Billy's mom)

FWF - Flying Wagner Farms, where FW lives and Billy grew up
The Peterson Farm - where AW, Jake and G4 lived, BW lived there on and off

What have I forgotten?

JMO

 

[Betty P]

There were no Wagner semi-truck trailers at this place. They didn’t own the trailers used when they drove trucks. These were all trailers pulled behind a pickup truck. Some were enclosed and some were open and covered with tarps from the pictures I have seen…

Thanks for the modification of information. There were trailers in their possession that contained their belongings, furnishings, etc.

From the Daily Mail

Bernie Brown, who owns one of the properties that was investigated, said authorities took a trailer owned by Wagner and searched two others.

He said that Wagner is an employee who sometimes fixes cars for him, and that Wagner's family had left items on the property earlier that week.

Police have not yet explained the significance of the trailer, and neither the Pike County sheriff and the Ohio attorney general's office will discuss details of the investigation

Hannah's grandfather said that she and Wagner had been fighting over custody of their daughter prior to her death in Piketon, around 70 miles south of Columbus.

Police spokesman wrongly says SWAT present at Pike County raid for 'suspects'

The Franklin County Sheriff's Office spokesman said he was wrong when he said members of that department's SWAT team searched for suspects in the Rhoden homicides case on Saturday.

www.cincinnati.com

Trailer seized in search for killer of eight Ohio family members

Police have seized a trailer belonging to Jake Wagner, the ex-boyfriend of Hannah Rhoden, of one of the eight victims of an 'execution-style' massacre of an Ohio family last year.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[Cool Cats]

But during Wednesday's hearing, special prosecutor Angela Canepa told Deering she thought there was something important to note:

"We are not stipulating that George Wagner did not shoot anybody. We are stipulating that according to Jake Wagner's proffer, George did not shoot anybody. That's an important distinction."

• Rhoden killings: Attorney for George Wagner IV says prosecutors 'made a deal with the devil'

Both Jake and the prosecution have said they don't know who shot who. Which means to me, George could have done some shooting.

The prosecution refuses to say that George shot nobody. I believe Jake does know who shot who and is trying to get around directly saying it to protect Billy and George.

There is no way the 3 Wagner men left Chris Sr's without knowing who was shooting from the porch and in the living room. I bet they know who shot their bullet under Chris's house. Jake lies, even the prosecution said there were some inconsistencies in his proffer.

George Wagner IV appears in court for …​

Weird how Jake's proffer says George "shot nobody" but then Angela and Jake say they don't know who shot who. They both know, the 3 men told Angela all about it, Angela eager for her bloody report.

His younger brother Jake Wagner, and his mother, Angela pleaded guilty earlier this year for their roles in the execution-style murders.

They stated that they do not know who shot whom.

 

[Betty P]

For those new to the thread here are some of the common abbreviations used:

Billy, BW or G3 - George Washington Wagner III. No, I have no idea why everyone calls him Billy
AW or Angie - Angela Wagner
George or G4 - George Washington Wagner IV
Jake - Jacob Edward Wagner (maybe Edward Jacob?)
FW - Freckericka Wagner (Billy's mom)

FWF - Flying Wagner Farms, where FW lives and Billy grew up
The Peterson Farm - where AW, Jake and G4 lived, BW lived there on and off

What have I forgotten?

JMO

AC - Angela Canepa - Special Prosecutor
UHR - Union Hill Rd. - where 3 of the Rhoden family homes were located
KR - Kenneth Rhoden - murder victim - brother of CR1
CR1 - Chris Rhoden, Sr - murder victim and father of FR, HMR, CR2, husband of DR
DR - Dana Manley Rhoden - murder victim, wife of Chris Rhoden, Sr., mother of their children. She and CR1 were separated at the time, but getting back together
CR2 - Christopher Rhoden, Jr - 16 yo murder victim
FR - Frankie Rhoden - murder victim
HMR - Hanna Mae Rhoden - murder victim, daughter of CR1 and DR, former partner of Jake Wagner who refused to give up custody of their daughter S
HG - Hannah Gilley - murder victim, partner of Frankie Rhoden who shot 5 times while nursing her infant son in bed
GR - Gary Rhoden, murder victim, cousin of Chris Rhoden, Sr and Kenneth Rhoden
DS - Donald Stone - cousin of Chris, Sr and Kenneth Rhoden; he found Kenneth Rhoden deceased in his camper/trailer an hour or so after the bodies of the other Rhoden family members were discovered and called 911
LM - Leonard Manley - father of Dana Manley Rhoden and grandfather/gr-grandfather of all the murdered children of CR1 & DR
JM - James Manley - brother of Dana Manley Rhoden; the Manley's lived on UHR close to Dana Rhoden's home. JM and his sister BJM were the ones who discovered the bodies of Chris Rhoden, Dana and their children in 3 different homes on UHR
BJM - Bobby Jo Manley, sister of Dana Manley Rhoden; She first discovered the bodies of Chris & Gary Rhoden when she went to Chris Sr's trailer for her daily work helping water and feed dogs, livestock, etc. She ran next door to the home of Frankie Rhoden and Hannah Gilley, discovered their bodies and rescued the young child and infant of Frankie & Hanna, all while calling 911.

There are more, but hope this helps.

 

[Ann99]

For those new to the thread here are some of the common abbreviations used:

Billy, BW or G3 - George Washington Wagner III. No, I have no idea why everyone calls him Billy
AW or Angie - Angela Wagner
George or G4 - George Washington Wagner IV
Jake - Jacob Edward Wagner (maybe Edward Jacob?)
FW - Freckericka Wagner (Billy's mom)

FWF - Flying Wagner Farms, where FW lives and Billy grew up
The Peterson Farm - where AW, Jake and G4 lived, BW lived there on and off

What have I forgotten?

JMO

Good list.
Probably could add AC for Angela Canepa - Prosecutor.
Oops! Never mind. I see Betty made a list.

 

[Betty P]

But during Wednesday's hearing, special prosecutor Angela Canepa told Deering she thought there was something important to note:

"We are not stipulating that George Wagner did not shoot anybody. We are stipulating that according to Jake Wagner's proffer, George did not shoot anybody. That's an important distinction."

• Rhoden killings: Attorney for George Wagner IV says prosecutors 'made a deal with the devil'

Both Jake and the prosecution have said they don't know who shot who. Which means to me, George could have done some shooting.

The prosecution refuses to say that George shot nobody. I believe Jake does know who shot who and is trying to get around directly saying it to protect Billy and George.

There is no way the 3 Wagner men left Chris Sr's without knowing who was shooting from the porch and in the living room. They all darn well know who shot Chris, Gary and Kenny. They know all the details, I bet including who shot their bullet under Chris's house.

Jake lies, we all know that.
The prosecution even said there were inconsistencies in Jake's proffer.

I find it hard to believe George did not shoot anyone. Let the jury decide. The trial will "rip up" that gag order and the prosecution can say/prove what they want - finally.

True, but I don't think Jake will be lying on the witness stand during GW4's trial. He has too much to lose and JMO, the state does know what happened. As they said - they have more than enough evidence to convict GW4 and Billy. The testimony of Jake and Angela is just extra confirmation, giving context to the evidence.

 

[Ann99]

Odd. - watch for report at 6 pm news.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1564370905169645575

 

[justtrish]

Odd. - watch for report at 6 pm news.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1564370905169645575

I am not sure on pirates, but I recall the 3 year old left alive at one of the scenes told whoever knocked on the door that his dad was playing zombies. That is enough for me to know it was horrific what that boy saw.

 

[Seattle1]

Does anyone know if this is something that regularly happens? I can't think of a trial I've followed that involved taking the jury to the crime scene, but maybe I just missed this part. Maybe in smaller scenes, the photos are enough and can give a good enough idea, but this one is so massive they want to really show just how much planning was needed to hit each of these homes in the way they did in one night?

The prosecution has the burden of proof and it's at the discretion of the court to grant or deny the probative value of such a proposed juror field trip, motioned by the state. In other words, it's not a given, it has to be requested by the prosecution.

I'm pretty surprised that GW4 does not intend to go for a ride, knowing it could be his last opportunity to ever see anything outside of his cell for the remainder of his life. I think it was probably a UK case I was following but the defendant went on the trip but did not ever go inside the crime property, and the jurors were none the wiser. MOO