OH - Pike Co - 8 in Rhoden Family Murdered Over Custody Issue - 4 Members Wagner Family Arrested #80

[sunshineray]

Think how much work some of those jurors are missing. While some employers will supplement the small juror stipend to equal out their pay, not every business can - (certainly not the self employed ) those are usually larger corporations who can afford it. Opening arguments AC said approx 6-8 weeks. She's possibly only 3/4 of the way through witnesses. Then defense is up. Then closing arguments. At the rate they're going, we've got at least 3-4 more weeks to go.

I think in CT jurors get about 50 bucks a day...it might be more with the recent cost of living increases?

 

[SuziQ]

Are they ever coming back?

 

[ohioexpat63]

Heck... he bulked up. Let him fend for himself. At least no sleeping women will be there to 'get' him.

Unreal.

Everyday could be the last day for this coward. They are waiting for him. Someone wants to have there 15 minutes. Jmo

 

[sunshineray]

After reading the Order and forming my own opinion, it seems clear that that the judge is defying the order. MOO

He was sticking to it until JW's lawyer mentioned his safety in prison being put in peril, then the prosecution got up and said they agreed with that and we can call witness(es) to testify to that...judge said ok, they did called one prison guard who basically said, yeah "snitches get stitches"...that's all it took...ridiculous, IMO

 

[Betty P]

JMO, there's some legit reason why the prosecution and court want to keep him off camera. I don't think its a frivolous decision.

 

[arielilane]

Courtney's most recent tweet 35 mins ago:

https://twitter.com/CFranciscoWCPO

Okay, I am going into the courtroom to transcribe Jake's testimony by hand again. I will tweet updates during breaks.

 

[Betty P]

Everyday could be the last day for this coward. They are waiting for him. Someone wants to have there 15 minutes. Jmo

If it happens, at least it would be better to happen after the trials are over.

 

[Nanasteele]

Jmo but are we really worried about Jake’s safety now jmo

I feel the same! He has been plastered all over the news and papers and he even confessed live! Being concerned about safety is ridiculous!

 

[dgfred]

SOLITARY ?

 

[sunshineray]

So I'm guessing that Law & Crime is not happy about the camera people being chastised, they've been great with the courtroom feed on opt-outs, much better recently showing prosecutors, audience, defendant's table and evidence on screen, no feed at all today after the hearing was over.

 

[Betty P]

Courtney's most recent tweet 35 mins ago:

https://twitter.com/CFranciscoWCPO

Okay, I am going into the courtroom to transcribe Jake's testimony by hand again. I will tweet updates during breaks.

Just like in the old days!

Truman Capote managed to report on the trials of Perry Smith and Dick Hickock for the Clutter Family Murders. Wrote a book, too and won awards for it. No laptop or tweeting, just pen and pad.

BTW, didn't they convict those guys based on shoe-print evidence and a confession?

Clutter family murders - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Nanasteele]

Everyday could be the last day for this coward. They are waiting for him. Someone wants to have there 15 minutes. Jmo

With his attitude and demeaner it is just a matter of time!

 

[sunshineray]

Are they ever coming back?

Someone said WCPO's courtroom feed is up. I always get bounced from that one

 

[sunshineray]

JMO, there's some legit reason why the prosecution and court want to keep him off camera. I don't think its a frivolous decision.

The only thing that gave me paused was as soon as it was the defense's turn to give their 2 cents worth, the judge's lawyer via speaker phone piped up to the judge to take a 5 min recess conference...in chambers I believe. So you could be right BettyP, maybe there's something else being considered off the record.

 

[ohioexpat63]

I really hope BW take a plea. Heck, give him minimum 50 to life. He will never live to be a 100. Anything to prevent another trial for the family

 

[CIA Team Member]

The people this affects the most are the victims' relatives, not all of them will be able to attend court, we have heard that the Rhoden, Manley and Gilley families are large, I am sure they have waited years to hear the person who murdered their family testify,

and they are only getting a small amount of what JW testifies to through the media, why were their opinions not sought as to JW being allowed to opt out, the state is prosecuting GW on behalf of the people of Ohio, those people include the victims' families,

I have never seen prosecutors arguing for the rights of the guilty, the person who has admitted to killing 5 victims if you are the state, 8 if you are defense, the state should have been arguing on the side of the victims to be able to see justice being done, not arguing for JW to be protected,

as I posted earlier though they want to keep JW testimony from being recorded so BW attorneys don't see it, unless they come to court to watch him testify

It all boils down to: The "public/open court" means you HAVE to attend, in-person. THAT'S what needs to be addressed with today's available technology. The courts are working in archaic times.

 

[pittsburghgirl]

This is playing out exactly like were watching son's of anarchy all over again. Sadly it won't end the same but, assuming George and Billy catch guilty verdicts, they'll at least be were they belong.
Though I keep wondering if George had actual decent attorneys he'd probably walk especially given 0/zero DNA of his. Anywhere. Or prints. Or a fiber or hair. Nothing except the word of a now convicted mass murderer.
I'm still shocked his attorneys didn't shred the whole insular family dynamic thing because of how they chose to live/share/decide as 1. Certainly not a rarity. Certainly has been gaining steam for a couple decades now. I may think odd of it. But, its definitely not anything illegal, trashy, freaky or whatever. I'm from the mountains and I still know several families like this. Doesn't mean squat in reality nor in a courtroom.

Forensic accountant's testimony goes further by saying that well yeah, just because it's his card doesn't mean he used it. Especially with free access amongst all of them.
What you can make out on recordings should have been easy to swat back. There's just so much that is actually plausible in them which makes them somewhat subjective especially knowing now by JW's own mouth he's a paranoid. They all are. Not crazy. Just paranoid.
I'm sure George was there. Help cover it up, plan it etc. But my guts not proof. I don't know what JW would have to gain by pontificating his way through his testimony. By putting his brother there if he weren't. I don't think it's as much about removing the DP for him/them as it was, for Jake anyway, to keep his daughter from eventually hearing/watching his trial when she's older. That's his Achilles heel, Sophie.
They're all some racist. I'd think they'd prefer a single dp cage to a shared one with those you don't much care for. Billy especially. He's gonna regret those tats lol.
Anyway, as much as I loathe Canepa and the "Um" factory, his attorneys really are in over their heads. Thankfully. I mean you start his defense with a lie the prosecution thumped day 1.
Or maybe I'm watching to many of these.
My thoughts

We know based on forensics that there were two different shooters. We know by confession that Jake shot 5 people. Someone else shot the other 3--Billy, according to Jake's story, which I believe on this point. But what George is charged with wouldn't hinge on DNA proof; he's charged with Aggravated Murder, Aggravated Burglary, and Conspiracy (along with some other things). Shooting people doesn't leave DNA unless you get up close and personal with the bodies before or after shooting. They were fully dressed and gloved, with hats. Aggravated Murder doesn't mean George shot anyone; it means he aided in the commission of the murders. That can involve anything from helping to buy and modify the murder truth to engaging in coverup afterwards. He did so on the premises, carrying a firearm. I've said this before here, but there is a big difference between normal healthy people who live in homes with multiple generations without doing crimes like arson and murder. The Wagners are not a normal healthy family.

We have documentation that George was involved in the forged custody papers, which are at the heart of the conspiracy. And conspiracy trials rely on the testimony of someone involved in the conspiracy, like Jake, on wiretaps and surveillance, etc.

 

[sunshineray]

It all boils down to: The "public/open court" means you HAVE to attend, in-person. THAT'S what needs to be addressed with today's available technology. The courts are working in archaic times.

I so agree

 

[arielilane]

Just like in the old days!

Truman Capote managed to report on the trials of Perry Smith and Dick Hickock for the Clutter Family Murders. Wrote a book, too and won awards for it. No laptop or tweeting, just pen and pad.

BTW, didn't they convict those guys based on shoe-print evidence and a confession?

Clutter family murders - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Only one confessed that I recall, but don't quote me on that. Can't recall shoe-print evidence it's been awhile.

 

[sunshineray]

Just like in the old days!

Truman Capote managed to report on the trials of Perry Smith and Dick Hickock for the Clutter Family Murders. Wrote a book, too and won awards for it. No laptop or tweeting, just pen and pad.

BTW, didn't they convict those guys based on shoe-print evidence and a confession?

Clutter family murders - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Yeah but they could come and go freely too. Or runners would come in and get notes from one reporter in court and give them to another to write up. The justice system has to utilize technology. It needs to allow real time transcription to online...no camera or audio if opt-out but tablets on wifi. Then it's like the public's right to witness testimony and proceedings in this day and age is being taken seriously. AJMO