OH Pike County: 8 in Rhoden Family Murdered Over Custody Issue 4 Members Wagner Family Arrested#37

[Betty P]

We must just think differently and that’s okay. I have respect for anyone who’s hard working and trying. I also come from a long line of addiction, born and bread right there in Appalachia. Some of that addiction I’d imagine was/is part heredity and partly because of the struggle. Life’s rough, man. It’s even more rough when you’re fighting to get out of poverty in small town America with little opportunity. Sometimes ya gotta do what ya gotta do to get by, even if it means growing weed or salvaging cars.

From my perspective, who cares if they grew pot? Maybe it was to supplement their income. Maybe it was to pay for hobbies that made a life a little more tolerable-such as demolition derby’s and hunting. Chris was trying to help his cousin overcome addiction. He also worked hard at BBL as well as being said to be a man who’d give you the shirt off his back. Dana was hard working and driven. All of the kids were blossoming into adults, two of them with their own kids and just starting out in life. One hadn’t even graduated high school yet. He was a teenage boy living and learning. Hannah Hazel adored her son and her little family. Kenny got up every morning and made the trek to a Columbus just to earn a decent living. He had kids, grandkids and since another grandchild that will never know him.

I respect their lives and I also respect the Rhodens as people. They were hard working, down to earth, REAL, people. And I hope every one of them got to enjoy their final day here on earth, even if that means some of them were smoking weed or planting seeds. Were they perfect people? Nope. But where I come from, I’ve been taught I’m no better than the next person. I greet my CEO just the same as I greet a homeless person in passing. It’s not mine nor is it your place to judge. I’m sure you’re not perfect. And I pray you’ve never known the struggle of trying to survive in a region that many, if not most, struggle to even put food on the table.

Great post!

 

[Betty P]

That's what the county jail folks said too. Coordinated. Separated. I think they knew that they needed them separate. No way of getting into the same jail system either, would stop communications. In part, arresting them would be tricky because of the threats they'd been making, and there were two children to take into consideration. Would they fight til the end? Would they all go out as one?

Actually, I was surprised they didn't use US Marshals for the apprehension & arrest. They're very good at this and LE uses them all the time in Northeast Ohio.

 

[rsd1200]

Actually, I was surprised they didn't use US Marshals for the apprehension & arrest. They're very good at this and LE uses them all the time in Northeast Ohio.

This isn't northeast ohio.

 

[Betty P]

Any links to your opinion at all?

Parental murder and suicide: post-traumatic stress disorder in children. - PubMed - NCBI

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi...99524)16:4<259::AID-IMHJ2280160403>3.0.CO;2-T

Here's a meta-analysis of 6 studies

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0190740900000785

JMO, the data is sufficient to suggest that children exposed to traumatic events, particularly the murder of their parents, grandparents, etc. are badly harmed for the rest of their lives, even when the trauma occurs in those 6 months and younger.

 

[Tricia]

If you have alerted on a member more than two times on this thread you need to use the "ignore" feature and put the poster on ignore.

Please do this OK? For me? For my sanity?

Thank you

 

[Dudly]

Yes according to federal law and my state I'm a no good druggie trafficker . But for last 5 years I haven't taken one opioid since botched cervical surgery and the follow up to fix it since I started using weed.

Mine was botched lumbar surgery. Three surgeries in six days with the last to try to undo some of the damage done in the second surgery. Took months till I could walk with a walker. Four injury law firms turned down my case even when I had it in writing that the surgeon said there was an equipment malfunction.

 

[Willow Knight]

Maybe multiple firearms involved although the scene seems nearly impossible.

Btw, each of the accused is charged with the same counts and the same specifications. Does it mean LE believes each of them went in each house with each a suppressor? Or does it mean LE charges everybody as a group to determine the participation of each later in court?

What do you think? The same charges for everyone make it look like they dont really know the role of the defendants in detail. Otherwise it means LE can prove who shot whom and everybody participated equally. I doubt, it's that simple.

Anyone expert on prosecutions?

Edit: improved for understanding

I understand what you are stating. And it bothers me, bothers me to even voice it, however this a concern I have with a jury. What if the jury cannot determine exactly who murdered whom? As an example, JW is on trial, the jury believes without a doubt JW was active in the murder spree, but cannot determine which victim JW is responsible for killing.

I pray that there are taped conversations that include details such as: "....and he/she opened their eyes right before...".

Do the charges cover this?

 

[Dudly]

Maybe they didn't realize they had crossed the state line? Surely LE would know when they were about to cross out of their jurisdiction. Did they make a call to DeWine, et al and let them know that they were going into KY and to call and make arrangements to have Kentucky LE pull him over? Would have loved to have been a fly on the wall for that convo.

No, none of that makes sense. Someone screwed up or leaked to Billy and the had to scramble at the last minute to get the feds and KY police to arrest him.

They had to cross the Ohio River so they knew they left Ohio.

 

[Jonas_Klein]

All great points. I’m going to throw this theory out there because I’ve been pondering it for a while. I’ve always thought that fishing story wasn’t really fishing. These are JMO and not facts, but bits and pieces we’ve all pieced together over the years. I do believe JW refused to bring S home that night to HMR. I also think that’s where her and KR2 went-to try and get S from Jake. Jake didn’t give S to HMR and it literally became “do or die” time for the W’s (no pun intended). Had HMR went to bed and woke up April 22, 2016, ALIVE, as she should have, she most likely would have went to the courthouse and/or got LE involved to get her daughter back home from JW. After all, HMR had assumed legal custody as an unwed mother and there was no legal formal custody agreement that gave JW any right to not return Sophia.

IMO, April 21 created the perfect storm of events and the W’s had no choice (in their own warped minds) but to pull of their elaborate plan that night. If they didn’t, they were facing an uphill battle with LE and the courts pertaining custody.

Thinking about HHG, she had posted if she wasn’t needed or wanted, she would leave. I wish she would have left that night. Also with the surveillance on behalf of the W’s, they would have known if she left. So, I wonder if they would have furthered their killing spree locations and went out of their way to kill her at whatever location she would’ve went to, had she not been on UHR.

I hope this all makes a sense. And as always, it’s JMHO and thoughts.

Hi MittenScarpetta,

Do you have a link to that fishing story? When was it? Who participated?

I would like to better understand the relationship between the defendants and some R family members. PikeC is a small place...

I never understood the meaning of the Jody Barr interview, oct 2016.

Also, the proceedings of child services were kept private. However we do know that more than one family member made their case for the custody of the children. I need to find links.

Given what we know today of the alledged motive, the events above are of interest.

 

[Betty P]

This isn't northeast ohio.

Yes, very true.

 

[Jonas_Klein]

The AG made very clear nobody else was charged when he announced the arrest of the Ws. I will leave at that.

Many years ago, I was 24. I was always with a girl or chasing another one. I was hungry, good looking and had just enough experience to know my way around them.

I am just trying to get a complete picture of the environment of the defendants. A young man with babies is attractive in a county where young women are eager to reach the motherhood status.

I cannot imagine the boys played with their tools in the garage all the time...

 

[Jonas_Klein]

I am trying to say something here. I could be right or wrong. I am being careful.

Anyway, Justice will reveal the truth. On that particular point, I will be patient.

 

[Jennifer17]

I understand what you are stating. And it bothers me, bothers me to even voice it, however this a concern I have with a jury. What if the jury cannot determine exactly who murdered whom? As an example, JW is on trial, the jury believes without a doubt JW was active in the murder spree, but cannot determine which victim JW is responsible for killing.

I pray that there are taped conversations that include details such as: "....and he/she opened their eyes right before...".

Do the charges cover this?

Do they have to prove who shot whom? Isn't it acting in concert?

 

[Jonas_Klein]

I am trying to say something here. I could be right or wrong. I am being careful.

Anyway, Justice will reveal the truth. On that particular point, I will be patient.

HINT: the killers visited homes of people they knew very well.

1) make a family tree of the victims with their kin, their kins' age, the strong bonds betwen the victims, the survivors and the defendants

2) check the alibis. Some are credible, others are not

3) who wanted the children?

4) who openly questioned the relevance of the evidence?

Am I the only one who feels some questions are left unanswered?

I trust the investigation did a complete job. But from the moment all of the indicted deny everything, it is hard to prove that some other people knew something.

If there is any truth to it, it will come out one day when the accused open up.

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, Dec. 4th:
*Arraignment Hearing (see below) (@ 1:30pm 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 (38). Hanna Rhoden's baby girl (5 days old), another baby (6 mos) and a young child (3) were unharmed. (April 21-22, 2016, Pebbles) – in four county jails -- Pickaway, Franklin, Ross, and Delaware counties.
Only for *George Washington "Billy" Wagner III (47), (Jakes’ father) 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 conspiracy, 4 counts aggravated burglary, 1 count unlawful possession of dangerous ordnance, 3 counts evidence tampering, 1 count forgery, 1 count unauthorized use of property, 1 count interception of wire, oral or electronic communication, 1 count obstructing justice, 1 count engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity.
Was arrested in Lexington, Ky., remains in the Lexington Fayette County Jail as a “fugitive from another state” according to jail records. An extradition hearing will be scheduled for him.
Has Arraignment hearing on 12/4.
*Edward Jacob "Jake" Wagner (26) (former boyfriend of Hanna) indicted (11/12/18), arrested (11/13/18), charged (11/15/18) & arraigned (11/27/18) with 8 counts aggravated murder, (plus gun specifications on each), 1 count conspiracy, 4 counts aggravated burglary, 1 count unlawful possession of dangerous ordnance, 3 counts evidence tampering, 1 count forgery, 1 count unauthorized use of property, 1 count interception of wire, oral or electronic communication, 1 count obstructing justice, 1 count engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity & unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. (He’s accused of engaging in sexual contact with Hanna Rhoden when she was 15 & he was 20). Plead not guilty. No Bond. Franklin County
11/27/18: Arraignment hearing: Plead not guilty to all 23 charges. No bond per Judge. Waives speedy trial, granted by Judge. Next pretrial hearing on 12/20 and 1/24/19.
*Angela Jo Wagner (48) (Jakes’ mother) indicted (11/12/18), arrested (11/13/18), charged (11/15/18) & arraigned (11/29/18) with 8 counts aggravated murder, (plus gun specifications on each), 1 count conspiracy, 4 counts aggravated burglary, 1 count unlawful possession of dangerous ordnance, 3 counts evidence tampering, 1 count forgery, 1 count unauthorized use of property, 1 count interception of wire, oral or electronic communication, 1 count obstructing justice, 1 count engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. Delaware County
11/29/18: Arraignment hearing: Plead not guilty to all 22 charges. Waived speedy trial. Held without bail. Next Pretrial on 1/7.
*George Washington Wagner IV (27) (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 conspiracy, 4 counts aggravated burglary, 1 count unlawful possession of dangerous ordnance, 3 counts evidence tampering, 1 count forgery, 1 count unauthorized use of property, 1 count interception of wire, oral or electronic communication, 1 count obstructing justice, 1 count engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. Ross County
11/28/18: Arraignment hearing: Plead not guilty to all 22 charges. Held without bail; waived speedy trial. Next Pretrial on 1/9.
Corrupt activity includes: Aggravated Murder, Aggravated Burglary, Unlawful Possession of a Dangerous Ordnance, Tampering with Evidence and Obstructing Justice, plus everything in Counts 1 thru 21. The indictment uses the qualifier and/or for these activities, meaning some could be guilty of one or all of these.
*Fredericka Carol Wagner (76) (Paternal grandmother) indicted (11/12/18), arrested (11/13/18), charged & arraigned (11/15/18) with 1 count of perjury & 1 count of obstruction of justice. Plead not guilty. $100K Surety bond.
Wagner was released from the Pike County Jail Thursday (11/15/18) night on a $100,000 surety bond. To be fingerprinted at Pike Co Sheriff's office. To have no contact with any members of victims' family. Will be under electronically monitored house arrest. Should not leave her premises except for consulting with her lawyer, medical appointments, however she must document in advance any reason to leave which must be approved. Must notify pre-trial services officer when she leaves. May leave for court hearing. Not to use alcohol or controlled substances, she may take prescriptions prescribed by licensed physician.
Arraignment hearing on 11/15.
On Tuesday (11/27/18), Fredricka Wagner's attorney, James Owen, filed a motion to modify her bond "to allow her to leave her residence during normal work hours to travel to her place of employment."
*Rita Jo Newcomb (65) (Maternal grandmother) indicted (11/12/18), arrested (11/13/18), charged & arraigned (11/15/18) with 3 counts forgery, 1 count obstructing justice & 1 count perjury. Plead not guilty. $50K Surety bond. Arraignment hearing on 11/15. 11/20/18: Posted bond, released from jail.
DA alleges Newcomb lied to the Grand Jury & forged custody papers before the murders.
To place her under electronic monitor/house arrest. RN gives her mother's address. Court sets monetary bond at $50,000, will permit cash surety or 10% deposit. Will be under electronically monitored house arrest at her mother’s in South Webster, Ohio. To be put into PreTrial Services program. Can leave for medical emergencies, lawyer appointments, medical appointments. Must clear everything with PreTrial Services officer. Must keep PreTrial Services officer advised of her current address. With exception of medications prescribed by licensed physician for her, not to consume alcohol or controlled substances.

 

[Gracie55]

No, your theory of growing seedlings in Chris Sr's trailer is probably correct. Just the method might be wrong. Yes, I believe "meager size was found."
I think the "3 grow sites" were:
1) Chris Sr's trailer, in a bedroom or two down the hall.
2) Frankie's trailer.. same location... down the hall in a bedroom or two. I say this because his little boy was sleeping on the couch in the living room. Now, he might have been timid about sleeping way down the hall in a bedroom all by himself... but, it might be a bedroom was all taken up with pot seedlings, too. There's no way to know for sure.
3) Kenneth and his great big tray of seedlings or baby plants.

There was never any evidence that LE was out in the woods pulling down and burning or loading up baby pot plants for removal. Local MSM would not have missed that story, imo. So, you can only jam so many pot plants into a couple of trailers and a shed. If Chris Sr was using that huge building, that would be a different story... but, again, how did MSM miss that kind of action going on if LE had to clear all the plants out of a huge building? I just don't think there were that many plants. I don't know why Governor DeWine said, "major grow" but I don't believe that unless MSM was forbidden to cover the story. I can't imagine why they wouldn't have been allowed to cover the story since it had already been written that "a major grow" had been discovered. JMO.

A tray of 4" seed pots holds 20 or 24 units. 10 trays=200 seedlings. Meager space.
I hear some saying GR and ChSr were doing the growing. Maybe ChSr had better sense and it was the kids trying their hand at horticulture.
Personally I doubt ChSr didn't know, but we don't know.

 

[Owutatangledweb]

Lawriter - ORC

See section (F).

Note: I have not seen the indictment and only assume they were charged under this section.

 

[Dudly]

HINT: the killers visited homes of people they knew very well.

1) make a family tree of the victims with their kin, their kins' age, the strong bonds betwen the victims, the survivors and the defendants

2) check the alibis. Some are credible, others are not

3) who wanted the children?

4) who openly questioned the relevance of the evidence?

Am I the only one who feels some questions are left unanswered?

I trust the investigation did a complete job. But from the moment all of the indicted deny everything, it is hard to prove that some other people knew something.

If there is any truth to it, it will come out one day when the accused open up.

Basically all questions are left unanswered because the evidence was sealed under court order and the court order to seal the evidence was sealed. No one outside LE and prosecution has had access to the evidence. We won't know what they know until it comes out in court....

 

[Charliegizmo49]

I've followed several cases here where those suspected of working for the defense posted in the thread. In one case (Rebecca Zahau's murder) the defense used, word for word, in trial, the same arguments they had used here at WS. Those folks were good, very good. They had 2 or 3 people posting over a period of about 5 or 6 years. We got to know one of them very well, someone who posted under several different names. The same people are now ghost writing news and magazine articles and tv interviews on the case. Once you've read someone's posts a dozen times a week for 6 yrs or more, you get to recognize them.

There's no law against it. Assume defense attorneys use the practice to gauge how well certain arguments work and influence public opinion via social media.

Agree it’s another tool for them. But I’m really cautious when I see those red flags.

 

[Betty P]

Lawriter - ORC

See section (F).

Note: I have not seen the indictment and only assume they were charged under this section.

Thanks, Owut. Here's a link to the indictments:

https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov...cial-Prosecutions/PikeCountyMurderIndictments

I'm interested to hear your opinion.