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

[Chelly]

I am not on any social media, e.g. FB, Twitter, ect so my only option is Court TV. Right now not much so hoping on 9-6 opening arguments. I will keep watching court TV hoping to hit the right day they begin. The trial starts at 9 AM in Ohio so it starts at 8 AM here.

Like you @RAISINISBACK My only connection to the trial is here and Court TV. I am able to follow Twitter but am not very good at posting twitter reports. So, Websleuths is pretty much my go-to place for information.

 

[24Roses]

Been a long time since posting here! Why are the jurors touring the crime scene locations before opening arguments? I have never heard of that before. How much does everyone think will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 6? I will have to miss part of that day, so was hoping it would start on Wednesday. However, I'm really not looking forward to hearing all the aspects of the murders. It will be interesting to watch though.

 

[Marysmith]

Been a long time since posting here! Why are the jurors touring the crime scene locations before opening arguments? I have never heard of that before. How much does everyone think will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 6? I will have to miss part of that day, so was hoping it would start on Wednesday. However, I'm really not looking forward to hearing all the aspects of the murders. It will be interesting to watch though.

I thought it was odd that it was before the trial started as well but maybe that’s to make it more unbiased? And they’ll be hearing about the scenes right away so as a point of reference?

 

[justtrish]

Been a long time since posting here! Why are the jurors touring the crime scene locations before opening arguments? I have never heard of that before. How much does everyone think will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 6? I will have to miss part of that day, so was hoping it would start on Wednesday. However, I'm really not looking forward to hearing all the aspects of the murders. It will be interesting to watch though.

I think the tour of the crime scenes is to show that it was possible for them to commit all these crimes during that one night and do so unnoticed. Since there were 4 crime scenes and 8 people killed, maybe it was just needed to really give an idea of how much planning when into it, how coordinated it was in case the defense tries to say how could anyone do all this?

I am just guessing here, but I'd say at least opening arguments will be done Tuesday, but the subpoenas are dated for the 6th so I think some witnesses could be called that day if opening statements are short.

 

[Betty P]

I thought it was odd that it was before the trial started as well but maybe that’s to make it more unbiased? And they’ll be hearing about the scenes right away so as a point of reference?

I agree. Defense attorneys and prosecution are with the jurors and will keep it neutral, as much as that's possible.

Making these tours at the beginning seems important, IMO, because of the complicated, extensive nature of the crimes. There were many people murdered in different locations, miles apart. There were also staging areas, the Peterson Rd Farm of the 4 Wagners and Flying W Farm, where evidence was hidden. Factor in any locations along the way for eyewitnesses, evidence found, etc. it's very complex. Add in all the details about hacking social media accounts, hacking phones, etc. If they just dove into the case in court, its easy to see how jurors could become confused. JMO

Reading some of the Tweets of the journalists, even they are getting confused by the many details.

Some even mistakenly think the prosecution believes that GW4 didn't shoot anyone. That's not true.

 

[Chelly]

I thought it was odd that it was before the trial started as well but maybe that’s to make it more unbiased? And they’ll be hearing about the scenes right away so as a point of reference?

I've watched a lot of trials. First time I am aware of jury viewing crime scene before opening arguments. One reason could be less intrusion by the public.

 

[Betty P]

Latest report on Law & Crime

https://twitter.com/x/status/1565041771188461569

https://twitter.com/x/status/1565041771188461569

Has some video footage of buses doing tour of scenes.

Tomorrow they will go to Flying W Farm

 

[Chelly]

I agree. Defense attorneys and prosecution are with the jurors and will keep it neutral, as much as that's possible.

Making these tours at the beginning seems important, IMO, because of the complicated, extensive nature of the crimes. There were many people murdered in different locations, miles apart. There were also staging areas, the Peterson Rd Farm of the 4 Wagners and Flying W Farm, where evidence was hidden. Factor in any locations along the way for eyewitnesses, evidence found, etc. it's very complex. Add in all the details about hacking social media accounts, hacking phones, etc. If they just dove into the case in court, its easy to see how jurors could become confused. JMO

Reading some of the Tweets of the journalists, even they are getting confused by the many details.

Some even mistakenly think the prosecution believes that GW4 didn't shoot anyone. That's not true.

I think this will be the most confusing trial we've ever seen. This case is unique in all murders I know about. A family of four murdering a family of eight within a very short period of time in multiple locations.

ETA: Now I have myself wondering low long it took The W4 to commit these killings?

 

[Betty P]

I think this will be the most confusing trial we've ever seen. This case is unique in all murders I know about. A family of four murdering a family of eight within a very short period of time in multiple locations.

On the positive side, the jurors are local to the area, so can probably follow it better than "outsiders". The prosecution will probably use a lot of visual aids, maps, etc.

Here's a revised Google Map of the different locations. Not sure which route they used to go from the Peterson Rd farm to UHR/Camp Creek, etc. but we'll find out soon enough.

Union Hill Rd to 260 Peterson Rd

www.google.com

What to Know About the Locations Pike County Massacre Jurors Will Visit in George Wagner IV's Murder Trial

The jurors in the trial of George Wagner, IV, will be taken to several locations for a "jury view" before opening statements begin.

lawandcrime.com

 

[IType]

A couple of snippets from an article on Fox28 Columbus website from yesterday. This article says Judge Deering indicated opening arguments could possibly come on Friday, but I don't know if that is accurate. Also mentions why so many alternates chosen.

(italicized by me)
"The main jury consists of nine women and three men; the six alternates are five women and one man. There are an unusually large number of alternates given the trial is expected to take up to six to eight weeks."

"Opening statements are scheduled to begin on Sept. 6, although Pike County Circuit Court Judge Randy Deering indicated that could start as soon as Friday."


Final jury seated in Pike County murder trial against George Wagner IV

 

[BeckyF]

Like you @RAISINISBACK My only connection to the trial is here and Court TV. I am able to follow Twitter but am not very good at posting twitter reports. So, Websleuths is pretty much my go-to place for information.

Same here. I appreciate all the twitter reports sent by others but I get kinda overwhelmed.

 

[IType]

Another part of the update from Angenette Levy that BP posted earlier. Hope I posted this correctly.

"Jurors were walked from 4077 Union Hill Rd. along a path to 4199 Union Hill Rd. where Frankie #Rhoden and Hannah #Gilley were shot in their sleep. Their 6-month-old son was in bed w/ them and covered in blood. Their toddler son opened door for Bobby Jo Manley"
@LawCrimeNetwork

link:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1564993009263026177

 

[Betty P]

GW4's attorneys are filing another motion demanding the prosecution tell them where Jake's wife, Elizabeth Wagner is located. The Judge refused the same kind of motion on August 5.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1565054901083934722

Nash & Parker are up to 109 Motions now. Imagine how many "objections" they'll file during the trial.

These stalker motions demonstrate exactly why GW4's attorneys should NOT have access to this witness's location.

 

[Tiff23fr]

GW4's attorneys are filing another motion demanding the prosecution tell them where Jake's wife is located

https://twitter.com/x/status/1565054901083934722

They're up to 109 Motions now. Imagine how many "objections" they'll file during the trial.

These stalker motions demonstrate exactly why GW4's attorneys should NOT have access to this witness's location.

I can’t understand why they feel they have a right to know where she is located at this time. If she is needed for court, and appears as required, that should be all they need. IMO

 

[Piffcat]

thats exactly what g4s lawyer was going for chinese whispers. its a deflection and obfuscation tactic. come up with a bold claim which doesnt change guilt under the law, but serves as a spark to erode the case and distance the defendant from the most grusome evil elements of the crime.
legally speaking g4 is guilty of all 22 charges under the conspiracy statute. but once you make this debate about a singular irrelevant(if g4 shot a bullet which killed) issue it can sway the jury thru confusion or emotion.

look at the gloves in OJ case. they did not prove innocence nor was it a scientifcly sound premise. but it swirled up enough whispers that it became the center of the defense. if the gloves dont fit you must aquit! i guess a big difference with georges lawyer is that seems to concede his client was present at murder scenes but under mitigating circumstances(yuk).this is 8 murders so hopefully the issue is dead in the water in juries mind.
. i like visiting the scenes people will follow this much better once they have their barrings. too many facts details posters and slideshows can be disorientating if you dont have a reference in your minds eye. now once the jury sees the crime scene photos, hears of the detailed planning they will understand all the pieces the wagner crime family put together in order to snuff out 8 lives and ruiin countless more.

I agree. Defense attorneys and prosecution are with the jurors and will keep it neutral, as much as that's possible.

Making these tours at the beginning seems important, IMO, because of the complicated, extensive nature of the crimes. There were many people murdered in different locations, miles apart. There were also staging areas, the Peterson Rd Farm of the 4 Wagners and Flying W Farm, where evidence was hidden. Factor in any locations along the way for eyewitnesses, evidence found, etc. it's very complex. Add in all the details about hacking social media accounts, hacking phones, etc. If they just dove into the case in court, its easy to see how jurors could become confused. JMO

Reading some of the Tweets of the journalists, even they are getting confused by the many details.

Some even mistakenly think the prosecution believes that GW4 didn't shoot anyone. That's not true.

s

 

[Betty P]

Angenette Levy post from Union Hill Rd and OH 722.

We’re at 772 and Union Rd. Bailiff is pointing things out to the jurors. Court documents said they would be shown “pertinent points of interest”. Not sure what this area means. Down the road from crime scenes

https://twitter.com/x/status/1565058051949969409

Trying to post the photo from the Twitter feed, working on it. It doesn't look familiar.

 

[IType]

I also feel there is no reason why GW4's team needs to know EW's physical location/address. It is not as though this case depends solely on her testimony. JMO

 

[IType]

[Copied from BP's twitter post above, refer to her link, italicized by me.]

"#GeorgeWagnerIV, has filed a Motion to Compel for the prosecutor to turn over the address where Elizabeth Wagner can be located. She was once married to him."

What a moron! EW wasn't married to GW4. She was married to JW.

This is at least the second time in the last few weeks I've seen this misinformation printed in an article or tweet. Not sure if it was from the same person/source. I don't have a link to the previous incident I'm thinking of, so this is JMO for now.

 

[Chelly]

I can’t understand why they feel they have a right to know where she is located at this time. If she is needed for court, and appears as required, that should be all they need. IMO

I also feel there is no reason why GW4's team needs to know EW's physical location/address. It is not as though this case depends solely on her testimony. JMO

Forgive me for sounding dumb: If the Defense wants EW to testify, wouldn't they have to to know where to send/deliver a subpoena?

 

[KYboy]

Yeah, right. They want to talk to her off the record.