OH - Pike Co - 8 in Rhoden Family Murdered Over Custody Issue - 4 Members Wagner Family Arrested #73

[LMDlong]

It is extremely rare that you get off on murder when 2 of your own co-defendants turn State's evidence against you and admit you were involved.

The prosecution says it has enough evidence on George to convict him without his co-defendant's testimony but you add in Jake and Angela's testimony plus the shoe expert testimony, plus several other factors and the entirety of the evidence becomes overwhelming that George was involved, went along, and knew everything, and did nothing to stop it every step of the way.

Ohio law is clear and Deering will instruct the jury accordingly. And sentence George accordingly. Glock man probably won't be his nick name in maximum security. With George's revenge and breaking out of jail statements I doubt the Ohio prison system will put him in a low classification. Jake is a level 5 felon I think just being in jail.

The jury has strong reasons to believe Jake and Angela's testimony besides the evidence. Angela already has 30 years and Jake already has life sentences. It's not like they need to lie to get reduced sentences like alot of defendants do.

Wish I could give your post 2

 

[justtrish]

JMO All three had a gun on them. GW stood watch near GrJr’s room with his Glock . I think the sks was only used for shots from outside. Just because only one Glock was found doesn’t mean GW didn’t have the one he owned that he bought with CN present on him . But again its JMO.

Absolutely all 3 had guns! If George thinks anyone would believe that he went along to make sure Jake was safe from Billy, then how the heck was he supposed to do that without a firearm? How was he going to defense himself if one of the people they went to kill had a gun and fired back? I don't think anyone goes along with this plan and doesn't have a gun on them for their own protection at a minimum, but I believe George intended to do more than use it for defending himself or Jake.

 

[Chingaling]

I think the prosecution cleared up the holes in Jake's testimony and that the evidence plus Jake's having to go along with his own testimony that he gave the prosecution (a proffer is simply his testimony) will convince the jury George was totally involved in what the prosecution says:

The planning, the preparation, the execution and the cover up.

On top of that Angela places George going out to the crime scenes, agrees with Jake's testimony, says George voted for and wanted the murders, and bought the shoes for him.

It was said in a hearing that the defense's defense was destroyed by Jake and Angela admitting it was their family who committed the crimes, not some other people out there somewhere including drug dealers or cartels or anyone else with feelings of vengeance.

FW's deposition of who else may have committed the murders was cancelled.

But if JW and AW are lying about GW being there then how many other lies are mixed in too. If you'll lie about 1 thing you will lie about another

 

[Chingaling]

Canepa does not seem worried about GW’s defense. The investigation gave the prosecution a lot of evidence that alined with some of JW’s proffer. The locations of the guns was the icing on the cake. IMO

Agree, just wish the State would not have take Dp off, make thier azzes own up to eveything they done before during and after, instead of half truths just to get this case wrapped up. I think they could have proved it and sent them to Death row.

 

[abeaman02]

I really think JW is protecting GW4 by saying he was not a shooter, I don't think he feels any loyalty to his dad. I get the vibe they were not that close. I think he believed dad was planning to blame him if anything went wrong, and if he and AW are to be believed she wasn't there so he didn't have to worry about protecting her. I think he and his brother were close and they had a lot of talks about what would happen, and what they would do if they were caught. We know plans were discussed from the conversations they supposedly have on tape about going after LE if one was arrested. I do not find it farfetched that GW4 and JW had talks about how they would have each others back if they were caught. Once JW realized there was no way out and he decided to take a plea to avoid the death penalty, I believe the one person he decided to try and protect was his brother, the only one he had a shot (no pun intended) at saving. I feel that with GW4''s adrenaline, not fear, would have kicked in...almost like be out hunting and he is alot more involved then JW is claiming.

If it is true that BW was planning to set up JW to take the fall then it is not a reach to believe his defense is going to be that he was just going over to talk to the Rhodens and had no idea what was going to go down, and his son's and AW planned this without his knowledge and he is being set up to take the fall, He will say once it started he went along to try and either stop, or protect them. Which I do not believe for one minute...but he strikes me as someone who thinks he can do no wrong. Hmm what is that called? A narcissist. JMOO.
P.S. I cannot wait to hear what GW4 was caught saying on tape when he did not know he was being recorded.

 

[Betty P]

What George Wagner IV's Defense Lawyer …​

George Wagner IV’s Lawyer Blames Brother, Mom, and Dad for Pike County Massacre, Says Client Is Innocent​

INTERESTING THE DEFENSE'S POINT OF VIEW - NASH'S DEFENSE FOR GEORGE:

MOLESTATION NOT CUSTODY.......

Lawyer Richard Nash laid blame at the feet of his client’s co-defendants. His client’s father George “Billy” Wagner III came up with the idea to commit the killings, while George Wagner IV’s brother Edward “Jake” Wagner and their mother Angela Wagner were brought into the plot and helped plan, the defense maintained.

Jake Wagner was the sole gunman who killed eight people across four different locations in Pike County, Ohio, through the night of April 21, 2016 into the early morning of April 22, Nash said. Jake Wagner nonetheless implicated his father George Wagner III in killing someone, the attorney said.

But Nash told jurors that Jake, who pleaded guilty to murder and agreed to testify, will say that George IV had nothing to do with the planning of these murders, that George IV shot no one, and that George IV did nothing to destroy any evidence. The attorney maintained there is no reliable evidence his client planned these murders, prepared for the murders, or shot any one.

George Wagner IV could not control what he was born into, though he told investigators that he could not believe his family would carry out violent crimes, defense lawyer Nash said. The attorney described his client as being different from the rest of the family. He described a distance, saying that his client once got into a fistfight with George Wagner III because his client disagreed with how the family functions. Nash blasted Angela as a “con artist” who set fire to her home multiple times to get insurance money. Jake, who was also a professional thief, did the same with vehicles, Nash said.

At 16, he ran away from home after getting his driver’s license, the attorney said. Though he had to return, he took every opportunity to avoid home as much as he could, Nash said.

As for Tabitha or Tabby as Nash called her, she voluntarily signed an agreement regarding custody of her son with George IV. The former couple had gotten married too young and eventually obtained a dissolution, the lawyer said. Nash told jurors that she refused her mother’s offer to hire an attorney. Tabby reviewed the agreement, went to a courtroom, spoke to a judge and said she accepted the document, Nash said.

George IV had no motive to kill the victims, he said. Frankie Rhoden was among his closest friends, and Hanna May Rhoden was like a little sister to him, the attorney said.

His family members had motive, however, the attorney said. Denying that “custody” had anything to do with it, he said that Angela had unfounded delusions that Hanna and Jake’s young daughter was being molested. Jake, who was an abusive and jealous young man toward Hanna, could not stand that she had moved on with her life and was with other men, Nash said. Angela convinced Jake that the child was at risk of being molested. Regarding father George III, Nash alluded to drugs.

Angela at first suggested turning Christopher Sr. in to the police for drugs, but George III stopped that because it hit too close to home, Nash said. Angela allegedly said that George III suggested that they must kill the Rhoden family. Jake was told. He said that he wanted to frame Hanna’s boyfriend as the killer, but his father said no, Nash said. George III created the plan, and Jake and Angela went along with it, the defense said.

The first time that George IV learned of the killings was on April 22, 2016, Nash said. Unusually, Jake woke up before his brother. They did some work on their family property and eventually received a call from a man named Andrew Carson. According to Nash, Carson told Jake that Hanna May had been murdered with six of her relatives (Kenneth had not been found dead at the time). Jake put on an act worthy of an Academy Award, acting like Carson was the first to tell him, Nash said.

There goes Richard Nash again with his powers of ESP and mind reading. He already knows what Jake will say on the witness stand, even though Jake is not his witness. Ok Richard

 

[sunshineray]

I really think JW is protecting GW4 by saying he was not a shooter, I don't think he feels any loyalty to his dad. I get the vibe they were not that close. I think he believed dad was planning to blame him if anything went wrong, and if he and AW are to be believed she wasn't there so he didn't have to worry about protecting her. I think he and his brother were close and they had a lot of talks about what would happen, and what they would do if they were caught. We know plans were discussed from the conversations they supposedly have on tape about going after LE if one was arrested. I do not find it farfetched that GW4 and JW had talks about how they would have each others back if they were caught. Once JW realized there was no way out and he decided to take a plea to avoid the death penalty, I believe the one person he decided to try and protect was his brother, the only one he had a shot (no pun intended) at saving. I feel that with GW4''s adrenaline, not fear, would have kicked in...almost like be out hunting and he is alot more involved then JW is claiming.

If it is true that BW was planning to set up JW to take the fall then it is not a reach to believe his defense is going to be that he was just going over to talk to the Rhodens and had no idea what was going to go down, and his son's and AW planned this without his knowledge and he is being set up to take the fall, He will say once it started he went along to try and either stop, or protect them. Which I do not believe for one minute...but he strikes me as someone who thinks he can do no wrong. Hmm what is that called? A narcissist. JMOO.
P.S. I cannot wait to hear what GW4 was caught saying on tape when he did not know he was being recorded.

One thing though that doesn't jive with GWIV and JW being so close and having each others backs is that GWIV's defense, via his lawyer's opening statement, entails JW being the lone shooter of 8 and GW IV AND GW III not shooting anyone. That sounds to me like GWIV has his Dad's back not JW. It also sounds like there may be a lot of anger directed at JW from his brother. AJMO

 

[Cool Cats]

But if JW and AW are lying about GW being there then how many other lies are mixed in too. If you'll lie about 1 thing you will lie about another

I meant the Wagners may have originally planned to lie about George being at the crime scenes if they had planned to try to keep him from being arrested or convicted but with the evidence thrown at them in hours of intense interrogation and the DP staring them in the face they would have admitted to most of the truth.

There is no proof these proffers are mostly full of lies, the prosecution is smarter than the Wagner Crime Family and Canepa knew right away that - as she said - there were some inconsistencies in Jake's proffer and obviously the Wagners could not fool the prosecutors.

Wagners = unsophisticated clueless criminals.

Prosecutors = Years of experience dealing with unsophisticated clueless criminals.

Remember when Canepa said that it is Jake's proffer that says George didn't shoot anyone but that is not what the prosecution is saying and she said there is a difference. Canepa knows Jake's lies but is smart enough to work around it.

She is working with a desperate criminal not an Einstein.

The prosecution has had a year and a half to deal with what Jake will say on the stand. And Jake does not want the DP, that is why he pled in the first place, why most in his position do.

 

[abeaman02]

One thing though that doesn't jive with GWIV and JW being so close and having each others backs is that GWIV's defense, via his lawyer's opening statement, entails JW being the lone shooter of 8 and GW IV AND GW III not shooting anyone. That sounds to me like GWIV has his Dad's back not JW. It also sounds like there may be a lot of anger directed at JW from his brother. AJMO

That may be true, I'm looking at it from when they hung out before they were arrested between 2016 and 2018 but now of course things could have changed. This is just my theory it's not substantiated by anything

 

[sunshineray]

That may be true, I'm looking at it from when they hung out before they were arrested between 2016 and 2018 but now of course things could have changed. This is just my theory it's not substantiated by anything

It's a good theory, I was just commenting on a part. I was very surprised that GWIV's defense included that his father was blameless in the shootings also. I guess since GWIII didn't turn state's evidence for a deal means a lot to GWIV ...OR if GWIV thinks his dad will back him up? I just don't know what Nash is planning and I wonder if he's maybe in close touch with GWIII's defense? AJMO

 

[Caylee Advocate]

Maybe this would help answer the question.

Can anyone find it?

I just read yesterday but can't find it that even Angela's and Jake's attorneys agree that Jake and Angela should have their privileges suspended until they testify to keep them from hearing any information about the trial. I think watching the news, reading news papers, phone calls, mail etc.....

I think stuff like that. I doubt they would isolate them, solitary confinement seems extreme. But you are correct. Others could still fill them in.

Anyway, I know for sure I read something about this and if anybody on here can find the article on this subject I'd appreciate it.

Angenette Levy posted a tweet IIRC.


NEW INFO: attorneys for Jake and Angela Wagner have agreed that their jail privileges should be suspended until after they testify against George Wagner IV.

 

[Chingaling]

I meant the Wagners may have originally planned to lie about George being at the crime scenes if they had planned to try to keep him from being arrested or convicted but with the evidence thrown at them in hours of intense interrogation and the DP staring them in the face they would have admitted to most of the truth.

There is no proof these proffers are mostly full of lies, the prosecution is smarter than the Wagner Crime Family and Canepa knew right away that - as she said - there were some inconsistencies in Jake's proffer and obviously the Wagners could not fool the prosecutors.

Wagners = unsophisticated clueless criminals.

Prosecutors = Years of experience dealing with unsophisticated clueless criminals.

Remember when Canepa said that it is Jake's proffer that says George didn't shoot anyone but that is not what the prosecution is saying and she said there is a difference. Canepa knows Jake's lies but is smart enough to work around it.

She is working with a desperate criminal not an Einstein.

The prosecution has had a year and a half to deal with what Jake will say on the stand. And Jake does not want the DP, that is why he pled in the first place, why most in his position do.

I just can't believe she is trying to convict him when she admits she knows there are lies being sworn to in court. I won't lie I've lost some respect for her and I can't believe Junk is still on the case after what's been said about him.

 

[abeaman02]

I have a question. Will BW be allowed to testify for the defense in GW4's trial?

 

[Johnny B Bad]

I heard on one of the podcast a local said something about the knife so I was thinking about the knife and where the Wagners was trying to make it look like the Cartel did the killing, I made a comment to wait on the autopsy report, well looks like I was wrong, I thought the killer did a Colombia neck tie cut to make it look like the Cartel killed the Rhodens, so I wonder was the knife threw in t concrete bucket because Jake broke the blade off in Frankies back door?

 

[Cool Cats]

I heard on one of the podcast a local said something about the knife so I was thinking about the knife and where the Wagners was trying to make it look like the Cartel did the killing, I made a comment to wait on the autopsy report, well looks like I was wrong, I thought the killer did a Colombia neck tie cut to make it look like the Cartel killed the Rhodens, so I wonder was the knife threw in t concrete bucket because Jake broke the blade off in Frankies back door?

so I wonder was the knife threw in t concrete bucket because Jake broke the blade off in Frankies back door?

Probably. Now we know how they used the knife.

 

[Caylee Advocate]

I heard on one of the podcast a local said something about the knife so I was thinking about the knife and where the Wagners was trying to make it look like the Cartel did the killing, I made a comment to wait on the autopsy report, well looks like I was wrong, I thought the killer did a Colombia neck tie cut to make it look like the Cartel killed the Rhodens, so I wonder was the knife threw in t concrete bucket because Jake broke the blade off in Frankies back door?

IIRC the knife that had a broken tip on the blade was found in the back yard of FR and HG. JMO. Most of us have been wrong at some point during these last few years so no harm... no foul IMO.

 

[Cool Cats]

I have a question. Will BW be allowed to testify for the defense in GW4's trial?

No I believe. He is not taking a plea deal (so far) and plans his own trial. I can't see anything positive about him testifying. And I don't believe his attorneys will allow it. Jake and Angela have no choice. They probably wish they didn't have to testify.

Murder defendants rarely testify.

 

[Caylee Advocate]

I have a question. Will BW be allowed to testify for the defense in GW4's trial?

JMO, but I would say NO.

 

[Niner]

Monday, Sept. 26th:
*Trial continues (Day 11) (@ 9am ET) - OH - Pike County 8 people dead: Christopher Rhoden, Sr. (40), his ex-wife, Dana Manley Rhoden (37), their three children, Clarence "Frankie" Rhoden (20), Christopher Jr. (16), Hanna Mae (19); Frankie's fiancée, Hannah Hazel Gilley (20), Christopher Rhoden Sr.'s brother, Kenneth Rhoden (44), & a cousin, Gary Rhoden (37). Hanna Rhoden's baby girl (5 days old), another baby (6 mos.) & a young child (3) were unharmed. (April 21-22, 2016, Pebbles) – for *George Washington Wagner IV (27/now 30) (Jakes’ bro) indicted (11/12/18), arrested (11/13/18), charged (11/15/18) & arraigned (11/28/18) with 8 counts aggravated murder, (plus gun specifications on each), 1 count of 1st degree conspiracy, 4 counts of 1st degree aggravated burglary, 1 count of 5th degree unlawful possession of dangerous ordnance, 3 counts of 3rd degree evidence tampering, 1 count of 5th degree forgery, 1 count of 5th degree unauthorized use of computer or telecommunications, 1 count of 4th degree interception of wire, oral or electronic communication, 1 count of 5th degree obstructing justice, & 1 count of 1st degree engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. DA will seek the DP. Per Jake’s plea agreement, DP is off the table if his testimony is truthful.
Trial began on 8/29/22 with final jury selection & the jury was seated on 8/30/22. 12 Jurors & 6 alternates. Jury: (9 women & 3 men) & 6 alternates: (5 women & 1 man).
Trial began with opening statements began on Monday, 9/12/22. (Trial is scheduled for 30 days).
Crime info & court hearings from 11/28/18 thru 9/6/22 & Trial Day 1-9 (9/12 to 9/22/22) post #4 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...e-4-members-wagner-family-arrested-73.637705/
9/23/22 Friday, Trial Day 10: State witness: former BCI Agent Bryan White back on stand for Scene #3 at Dana, Hanna & Chris Jr.
For more info see posts #10 (Video), 13 & 15 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...e-4-members-wagner-family-arrested-73.637705/
For more info see posts #21, 23, 36 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...mbers-wagner-family-arrested-73.637705/page-2
For more info see posts #49 & 50 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...mbers-wagner-family-arrested-73.637705/page-3
Hamilton County Chief Deputy Coroner Karen Looman. Went thru Dana Rhoden, Hanna May Rhoden & Chris Rhoden, Jr., autopsies.
For more info see posts #58 & 60 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...mbers-wagner-family-arrested-73.637705/page-3
For more info see posts #62 & 70 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...mbers-wagner-family-arrested-73.637705/page-4
For more info see posts #93 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...mbers-wagner-family-arrested-73.637705/page-5
For more info see posts #116 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...mbers-wagner-family-arrested-73.637705/page-6
For more info see posts #142 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...mbers-wagner-family-arrested-73.637705/page-8
Article on Friday’s trial hearing:
For more info see posts #182 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...bers-wagner-family-arrested-73.637705/page-10
Trial continues on Monday, 9/26/22.
Recap of Days 1 thru 10 - see post #173 here: (thanks to Puzzles8
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...mbers-wagner-family-arrested-73.637705/page-9

 

[ohioexpat63]

I have a question. Will BW be allowed to testify for the defense in GW4's trial?

Allowed, yes. Will he, one could only hope but very very doubtful