OH - Pike Co - 8 in Rhoden Family Murdered Over Custody Issue - 4 Members Wagner Family Arrested #75

Status
Not open for further replies.
  • #261
I thought it would never end. I understood him but when they said he wasn't the mastermind, in the beginning of all this, I do believe that to be true.

I believe the mastermind was AW. I do not understand why the State would make a deal with her at all.

AW is the worst of the worst of human beings alive. jmo
 
  • #262
Okay - you all ready for these!!

James Pilcher
@jamespilcher
Starting new thread for more testimony from BCI special agent Jon Jenkins after break. We just heard nearly two hour interview with Billy Wagner in Sept 2016.

Defense asks that the recording be struck, and asks for a mistrial over the use of the recording because it is not relevant. Prosecution introduces different precedents that show evidence showing how police shaped investigation should be allowed

Special prosecutor Wilson says this recording shows Wagner was not telling the truth and had false statements - and led the agents to take a closer look at the Wagners. Says BCI agent Ryan Scheiderer is returning to the stand today.

Says later there will be independent proof of conspiracy. Judge denies motion for striking recording and mistrial, but says he will instruct jury on how to view the recording

Judge tells jury don't use the recording to determine truth - only to show how the agents continued their investigation. It occurred Sept. 9, 2016

Wagner never contacted BCI again after that meeting.

Refining who Latham was - another name as Skid Montogmery who was suspected to be a large-scale marijuana dealer.

Another objection when prosecutor asks if Wagner ever told them he owed Chris $20,000 - leads to yet another sidebar.

Actually the question is rephrased, did Wagner ever say Chris was holding onto $20,000 of Wagner's money? Not that he recalled.

Jenkins: Wagner says his family was not involved in Rhoden murders ... that it must have come from somewhere out west.

Defense continually objecting as Canepa reviews content. Why did agents ask about the possible fight between Wagner and Chris Sr.? BCI Jenkins: says there were tips coming in about that so they asked about it

Jenkins - shared all the information and recordings with rest of BCI, including the lead agent Scheiderer "so we can all be on the same sheet of music."

Short cross by the defense ... asks about whether recording was secret. Jenkins says Wagner did not know he was being recorded. On redirect - Jenkins says he did ask some questions but Agent Trout led the interview

We're breaking for lunch now. Back at 1:15 p.m.


link: https://twitter.com/jamespilcher
 
  • #263
James Pilcher
@jamespilcher
Afternoon session for Wagner murder trial about to get underway.

BCI analyst Julia Eveslage returns to the stand - she previously testified about phone records. Then BCI special agent Ryan Scheiderer expected to return later - possibly to talk about why their suspicions were raised about Wagners

Eveslage going into the Facebook records of all the victims.

Tens of thousands of pages of records. Had Facebook accounts for all the victims except Chris Rhoden Sr.

Says some of the messages from Hanna Rhoden raised red flags about the Wagners, especially over the custody of Sophia. Also what she said didn't jibe with what Jake Wagner told BCI in an interview.

Defense objects to some of this evidence and it is sustained. Now the court is in recess to go over evidentiary matters with the jury leaving. But the court is still on the record.

Actually in a recess - going into chambers.

Lawyers back in courtroom - waiting on judge and jury.

Getting restarted. Eveslage still on the stand. We had left off with the facebook messages from Hanna Rhoden.

State withdraws the first conversation with Summer Cooper

Jury instructed to disregard that evidence and what Eveslage said about it.

Would be interested to know if this was about showing the contents on the big screens (which is not happening now). Also the witness is not being allowed to read the content of conversation

Again all of these messages were flags about custody of Sophia and the Wagner family - but we don't know what they are saying. Now she is being asked to share contents of messages with Tabitha Claytor - George's ex-wife. Again defense objects and back at bench.

Overuled so she can read the March 28 2015 message. Same one from yesterday that Claytor read. Claytor asks about Jake and Hanna pending custody dispute ... you know how Angela gets about kids

On to another message with Claytor's mother Tess. June 17, 2015 "They want me to sign Sophie over, not happening," Hanna wrote.

Dec 9 2015 - first message Hanna Rhoden. I know they are and I won't sign papers - house clean. Just new house bigger more rooms everything.

Then Hanna writes Tess Ruggle "I won't sign papers, they have to kill me first." This again was on Dec. 9, 2015. Defense continually objects when these are introduced.

Onto phone records. Says she was asked to look at Billy Wagner's records after the murders based on what he told them about getting a new phone because he kept calling Chris Sr. and that he smashed his phone - per the interview.

But there were no records showing those calls ever happened after the murders.

On cross - Eveslage cannot say for sure who exactly typed those Facebook messages. And that Billy Wagner only had one phone at the point


link: https://twitter.com/jamespilcher
 
  • #264
James Pilcher
@jamespilcher
·
11h
Now calling Ryan Scheiderer to the stand - he's the BCI agent who led the investigation. This is his second time to testify.

Says the Facebook messages from Hanna Rhoden and other interviews about the custody dispute conflicted with what Jake Wagner told them.

Also says two different people reported hearing the same thing about a big drug deal from Billy Wagner involving him and Chris Sr that would put Skip Montgomery out of business - and that's why the Rhodens were killed.

Scheiderer says first interview with Billy Wagner was concerning. 1 - took along time to contact him. 2 - had false exclupatory statements in the interview as well.

Such statements are basically lies to throw agents off the path of the investigation.

Here’s the list of guns from Jake’s phone with names next to it

Gun list.jpg

Earlier Scheiderer says George texted both of Billy's phones saying don't come down that they had company - this was when he was at the Wagner's farm and they were getting ready to leave for Alaska. George had gone inside when he got there.

Scheiderer also says he saw "thousands" of empty shell casings on the ground at the Wagners'.

Reviewed the list with BCI agents and BCI firearms specialist Matt White. 4 different .30 caliber rifles as well as .40 calibers. @local12
plus some .22 calibers.

Found the same kind of .22 ammo as at the crime scene in the Wagners home

Ammo.jpg

They went into chambers to argue over evidence.

Searched the Peterson Rd home of the Wagners on May 10, 2017 and then later again.
Now onto cross examination.

link: https://twitter.com/jamespilcher

and that is all he has...



Chris Graves
@chrisgraves
Prosecutors are clearly narrowing the focus on the Wagner family as we are midway into Week 4. Seems as if the Wagner family became suspects between September 9, 2016 and April 2017, when Jake Wagner told BCI agents the family had sold their Peebles farm to move to Alaska.

The move was news to BCI Special Agent Ryan Scheiderer testified. He said agents fast-tracked search warrants on Wagner phones and a search of the farm before the new owners took possession.

Scheiderer said Billy indicated to him he didn't want to move because his father, Bob, was sick and he had been taking care of him: "Billy didn't seem real happy. It was what Angela wanted ... he felt pressured."

Agents got warrants to search 260 Peterson Road on May 10 and again on May 12 2017. Scheiderer said they found several .22-caliber long rifle Remington cartridges at Peterson Road. That is the same type of ammunition used on five of the eight victims.

Agents also found a list of dozens of guns listed by Wagner family member on Jake's iPhone in notes. The types of guns used in the killings were on that list. So was 22-caliber Cricket listed as belonging to his then 2 1/2-year old daughter.

Likely will hear a lot more for BCI on what they found at the Peterson Road searches, as their is box of evidence behind the prosecution table with the farm's address listed there. Will be back in court at 9 a.m.


link: https://twitter.com/chrisgraves
 
  • #265
Thursday, October 6th:
*Trial continues (Day 18) (@ 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). 9/30/22: Ill juror replaced with alternate. 12 jurors & 5 alternates. Jury: (9 women & 3 men) & 5 alternates (4 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 1-14 (9/12 to 10/3/22), no hearing on 9/29/22 post #835 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...bers-wagner-family-arrested-74.638537/page-42

10/5/22 Wednesday, Trial Day 17: State witness: BCI Special Agent Jon Jenkins. Jenkins was assigned to Scene 2 - Frankie Rhoden and Hannah Hazel Gilley's trailer.
for more info see post #4 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/...e-4-members-wagner-family-arrested-75.638948/
For more info see post #265 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/...bers-wagner-family-arrested-75.638948/page-14
State witness: BCI's criminal intelligence analyst Julia Eveslage.
For more info see posts #23 & 26, 34 to 36 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...mbers-wagner-family-arrested-75.638948/page=2
for more info see post #46 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...mbers-wagner-family-arrested-75.638948/page=3
for more info see posts #64, 65, 68, 71 to 72 & 78 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...mbers-wagner-family-arrested-75.638948/page=4
for more info see posts #82, 84, 85, 91 & 97 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...mbers-wagner-family-arrested-75.638948/page=5
for more info see post #266 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...bers-wagner-family-arrested-75.638948/page=14
State witness: BCI Special Agent Ryan Schneider:
for more info see post #267 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...bers-wagner-family-arrested-75.638948/page=14
Trial continues on 10/6/22.
And a Happy 31st Birthday George!
 
  • #266
Has the 2k lbs pot deal Chris supposedly had in the works been verified by anyone but BW? That sounds like a heck of a lot of pot. A lot of joints! Cheech n Chong would be impressed. JMO
 
  • #267
I understood him as well. It was painful with all the cursing, as if it bolstered his credibility.

I cant see him planning anything either. AW was probably the final approval authority, with BW being BW.

I thought I heard him say at one point he only finished the 6th grade. I could be wrong on thst point
I think 6th. I started to go back but just, no. I thought the same about the cursing. He was trying hard to be relaxed and no big deal guys, I'm here to help. Those agents hear much the same almost every day, I'd guess.
 
  • #268
Respectfully, I don't agree with your opinion of AC. I thought she was spot on today and yesterday.

JMO
I think she is doing a very good job.
 
  • #269
I trust AC and her team. She's been around the block a few times and has won some cases. She didn't get to be a special prosecutor for the Ohio AG for nothing.

At least one of GW4's attorneys is a corporate trial attorney, they're professional courtroom bulldogs.
I agree. I think every witness and testimony presented thus far has relevancy.
 
  • #270
Jurors appear restless as well.

Well, I fell asleep twice during Billy's ramble today. That audio should have never been played in court since it has nothing to do with this trial and Billy never mentioned George's name once out of the other ten thousand names he came up with.

JMO
It is very relevant to this trial. AC is building the foundation. The BCI agent was on the stand and testified to his part in the investigation. This audio is part of his investigation.
 
  • #271
I think she is a poor attorney; she has waisted days with testimony that never relates to GW, we get it, AC argument is one for all ad nauseum, I am sure the jury can recite it in their sleep, but even the jury must be saying but what about GW, yes, it is conspiracy, but we have had no evidence so far of any conspiring relating to the murders

she will not win this case by just banging on about they did everything together, she has to show some evidence of conspiracy to commit murder,

she has a need to get witnesses to repeat an answer and then goes back and asks it again, we have days of TC adding nothing, we do not need more information about HR and JW, the jury have a clear idea of the relationships, the dynamics and now we need to hear about GW not JW or AW or BW,
She wouldn’t hold the position she has if she is a ‘poor’ attorney. IMO
 
  • #272
  • #273
Mark Collins. He represents a lot of LE in Franklin County. Rated as one of the best defense attorneys in Ohio.
Well, Billy has that giant trust fund to pay for the best money can buy.
 
  • #274
Were they all legal to own in the state of Ohio? CR1 had an impressive number as well. Lots of collectors out there too. Iirc, the Ws also hunted game such as wild boar. HMR asked permission to go one trip

The only one I saw that was of special interest, to me, under G4's name: SKS 7.62. 39
Under JW's name: Colt 1911 22

To me, the ammo and firearms were an example of sensory overload. o_O

IANA firearms expert, but, I have general knowledge, as an owner. Just my thoughts, because firearms, calibers, generations, terminology, etc...can get confusing. Especially if one is not familiar with firearms, and even if one is.

I personally would have used no photos of shells that didn't match earlier testimony provided by Ballistics, and I'd have highlighted firearms from the list, that Ballistics could match to those shells. In his testimony today, the agent says the shell, on the shelf, was of interest because a 22 long rifle was used. @7:09:00 of Day 17.

Agent White's, earlier testimony, states that the shells from DR's and FR's homes, were .22lr and after much research, discovered to be used in a Walther Colt 1911 (a semi rimfire type of pistol):


Law & Crime - Sept 12, 2022




Ballistics Testimony

Lots of shells, lists of firearms, and evidence of target shooting, was merely boring. Point out what matched up with ballistics, to what was on G4's list, and have your data straight. I may be the only one over saturated, and annoyed by details such as this, but this today, was only one example over the course of the trial.
Agree there’s a lot of firearms and ballistics data to process and not all of it is necessary. Highlighting it is a good idea. Mentioning the relevance would also help. The state usually does that, but not always.
They should have pointed out the necessity of discussing the huge amount of cartridges found in the driveway and elsewhere on the property. It showed how much the Wags were practicing before the murders.
 
  • #275
Although I felt ACs opening was choppy, disorganized, and overly detailed, i feel she is a good attorney.

Since Im not a bar attorney in the state of ohio, I dont know the rules of evidence and the procedures the state of ohio requires to present before a jury. Each state varies in requirements as far as presentation and applying respective law.

I'll refrain from attacking that which I do not know.

Cheers!

Jmo
 
  • #276
There is a saying.

Tell what you are going to tell them
Tell them
Tell them what you have told them
 
  • #277
I didn't know AC was involved in the prosecution of the Steubenville case. IMO, that was an awful case.

From what I've read, the community tried to cover it up. I have even more confidence in AC knowing this.

JMO
Yes she was. It was a case that garnered national media attention, probably more than the Rhoden Murders. The coach and others were trying to cover up the involvement of some of their star football players. The girls were terribly victimized and public backlash followed.

I sense AC really cares about victims, particularly young women victims, not just because it's her job.
 
  • #278
Ole BW needs to be concerned about broke back mountain once he enters the big house. I don't believe he will find friends amongst murderers and theives as a snitch.
Best comment!!! :)
 
  • #279
 
  • #280
I believe the mastermind was AW. I do not understand why the State would make a deal with her at all.

AW is the worst of the worst of human beings alive. jmo
There is a saying.

Tell what you are going to tell them
Tell them
Tell them what you have told them
I would do more framing (what you are going to tell them) but I note that the defense isn't doing much of that either.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Staff online

Members online

Online statistics

Members online
140
Guests online
1,100
Total visitors
1,240

Forum statistics

Threads
632,392
Messages
18,625,754
Members
243,133
Latest member
nikkisanchez
Back
Top