OH - Pike Co, 8 in Rhoden Family Murdered Over Custody Issue, 4 Members Wagner Family Arrested #71

[abeaman02]

Thank you!

Thanks to those that answered my question above.

I'm confused about DS saying Luke went in first. No link so this is my opinion, as I recall DS said in interviews he told LR to wait outside because "you don't want to see this". ?

If I heard correctly LR said he went in first but was afraid to go up the steps and look in the bedroom, so he came back out and DS went in and found KR. He came out and told KR not to go back in. MOO

 

[Puzzles8]

I wonder how many people in that area were given immunity deals to talk. I am thinking quite a few.

And who was laundering the money?

BBM - IMO, that will not come out in this trial.

JMO

 

[ilovewings]

To be honest I am surprised anyone in the murdering family would go to trial.
I am not following the trial- with all those people involved, it is so complicated but
I just cannot imagine anyone that goes on trial in this case, would be acquitted no matter what BS the defense offers up. The facts of this case are absolutely horrifying and beyond comprehension. The planning that went into it--- my hope of course is that anyone of the murdering family that goes to trial gets convicted and get life without parole.

 

[grillzgirl]

I'd throw in a few bucks in support.

Me too.

 

[Betty P]

TESTIMONY OF FAMILY FRIEND BRETT HATFIELD:

Brett said he knew there was a grow operation between Kenneth and Chris, and he said that there was a big drug deal going down “out west” that was supposed to happen but got canceled. The deal was with Billy Wagner and Chris Sr., who ran drugs together. According to Brett, it was for several hundred thousand dollars and involved pounds of marijuana. Billy and Chris started the trek out west in a truck but Chris got cold feet in Cincinnatti and bailed, Brett said. Chris called someone to pick him up and he assumes that Billy continued on, but did not know. Brett testified that after the murders, Billy said to people that a local man, Skid Montgomery was running drugs with Chris and Billy and that the two latter were cutting out Skid, so Skid had the Rhodens killed. The state said this was never found to be true.

Brett testified that Chris Sr., always had a lot of cash on him and that Brett saw Chris Sr. have $400,000 in a black bag on him at home one day. Another time, Brett said he knew Chris was into cockfighting and won $30,000 in a battle.

On cross, Brett said he saw cocaine in Chris Sr.’s safe and that it was likely for Gary Rhoden to use because Gary was a cocaine abuser, according to the testimony. Again, he was asked about the pot grow operation and he said that it would take 2-3 weeks for Chris to sell out of the pot he harvested every three months. Brett spoke of an unknown “business partner” Chris had in Cincinnati, but did not know the person’s name. The defense alluded it was a drug business partner.

DAY 4: Here’s what you need to know about the fourth day of George Wagner IV’s trial

WAVERLY, Ohio — The fourth day in the death penalty trial of George W. Wagner IV in Pike County started to progress a little on Thursday. The previous days were filled with testimony mostly f…

sciotovalleyguardian.com

People have asked what made the Wagner's think they could get away with it? Part of their planning was to make it look drug related. The Wagner's knew that the commercial grows would lead the investigation that way, and away from them. They probably all sat around and as todays testimony revealed came up with a story where "Billy said to people that a local man, Skid Montgomery was running drugs with Chris and Billy and that the two latter were cutting out Skid, so Skid had the Rhodens killed."

And without the confessions, it could be a viable defense. George is pushing the defense that he and his family came up with.

The relevancy of the marijuana is it created an opportunity for the Wagner's to float the drug theory, and believe they could get away with the crime(s).

imo...of course.

When people talk about "running drugs", etc. I think of drugs, like oxycontin, heroin, cocaine, meth, fentanyl, ecstacy, etc. but not marijuana.

Didn't Skid Montgomery work at Flying W Farms? I remember reading that years ago. If so, it he was doing illegal business with Billy, not the Rhodens.

Interesting that Chris Sr. flagged out of the drug trip. Sounds like it wasn't for him, not a big time dealer. Sounds like Billy was, though.

 

[Recidivist]

RASINISBACK is 100% correct in that the prosecution has the burden of tying GW4 in the planning, committing and the covering up of the murders. I believe they will and do so overwhelmingly.

For now the prosecution is laying the foundation of the murders, and who were the key players in the initial discovery of those murders. Also, the prsoecution is laying out the initial steps taken in the investigation.

They are building up to when, where, how and why thw Wagners committed the murders. It will be at this point 4 will be exposed by JW and AW and any other corroborating evidence not yet in the public.

GW4 and daddy have nothing to lose by going to trial. LWOP is LWOP whether it be a plea or conviction. I think the defense is besmearching the deceased in hopes of getting something less that LWOP. I wonder if he was offered any sort of plea deal less then LWOP.

MY comments concerning the price of MJ ws toungue in cheek. Ive never bought MJ and never will. To each their own! Istay in my lane and couldnt care less about MJ usage.

The defense and others should be ashamed for trying to make the murders of nursing moms about MJ. It wont play with the jury. Thats all i have to say on MJ.

Show your true colors if you must. General commment not meant for anyone.

All my opinion

It is the job of the defense to bring forth whatever evidence exists in order to defend their client. They have an ethical obligation to do so. Our judicial system would crumble without the defense.

imo...of course.

 

[abeaman02]

I will try to get some of it. Angie's and Jake's especially. And the EX's.

I will also pitch in!

 

[Lilttledoggie]

I'd throw in a few bucks in support.

Count me in for a few bucks too!

 

[Caylee Advocate]

subpoenaed

JMO

I did not see anyone, but since some will be witnesses (or at least they have been subpoenaed), they are exempt from sitting in the gallery until after testimony. I also heard that since some are subject to recall they are prohibited. All MOO since I obviously have no link.

 

[Cool Cats]

I will also pitch in!

Thank you so much!

 

[Cool Cats]

Count me in for a few bucks too!

Generous posters here! Thanks! Appreciate you 'all!!!

 

[almond]

When people talk about "running drugs", etc. I think of drugs, like oxycontin, heroin, cocaine, meth, fentanyl, ecstacy, etc. but not marijuana.

Didn't Skid Montgomery work at Flying W Farms? I remember reading that years ago. If so, it he was doing illegal business with Billy, not the Rhodens.

Interesting that Chris Sr. flagged out of the drug trip. Sounds like it wasn't for him, not a big time dealer. Sounds like Billy was, though.

I think Skid had a rental setup like Fred, with rundown rentals. Is he the guy with a son who is a US Senator?

 

[ohioexpat63]

If the defense cant prove drugs were the motive for murders then all the demeaning, belittling and defiling of the deceased will doom their client. It is pointless, at this stage, based on real evidence, for the defense to have a theory not centered around the W4.

Some wanna believe JW and AW pled away their lives because, why?

So Sr and KR grew some dope. They sold dope. Show me the evidence that dope is why JW, AW, BW and 4 committed the murders as ALL the REAL evidence shows, not some half baked therory. A therory isnt evidence.

I know, the Ws stole Chris's cash to fund their trip to Alaska.

 

[almond]

I think Skid had a rental setup like Fred, with rundown rentals. Is he the guy with a son who is a US Senator?

Skid

 

[almond]

Skid

I had it wrong, his son Tony is a Pike County Commissioner. Tony Montgomery

 

[Caylee Advocate]

I so agree. I thought that was terrible and not necessary under the circumstances. God Bless DS for all the heartache in recalling that horrible day <3

Skid

No, his son Tony is a Pike County Commissioner. Skid does rent rundown trailers mostly, and also has the flea market South of Piketon. That's all I'll say for now.

ETA: He didn't work for FWF.

 

[almond]

No, his son Tony is a Pike County Commissioner. Skid does rent rundown trailers mostly, and also has the flea market South of Piketon. That's all I'll say for now.

Southbound Companies

 

[Puzzles8]

I did not see anyone, but since some will be witnesses (or at least they have been subpoenaed), they are exempt from sitting in the gallery until after testimony. I also heard that since some are subject to recall they are prohibited. All MOO since I obviously have no link.

Really good point, I had not thought about.

JMO

 

[Tillicum]

<modsnip - quoted post was removed> I didn't know anyone involved personally but I saw them around at Walmart and the fairgrounds. I'm not even sure I can watch all of it online. I want to see them get justice but better from a distance. We moved an hour away just before the murders.

I'm not surprised that so few locals are there. Everyone was terrorized and traumatized for months. I think the trial brings it all back after people had started to recover from it all.

 

[justtrish]

This is the longer version of the interview with Luke Rhoden. He said he suspected the Wagners because of something his dad told him before he died. He didn't share what it was as he didn't know if he could while the trial is going on.

I believe he said it in court though. He said something about either his dad said he'd have to kill them or the Wagner's told his dad he's have to kill him. I need to relisten, but it was in the testimony today. I didn't quite get who he was saying said that phrase though.