OH Pike County: 8 in Rhoden Family Murdered Over Custody Issue 4 Members Wagner Family Arrested#40

[Puzzles8]

Who knows? It’s so confusing. This will go on & on until an attorney for one of them drills it home that the state has enough evidence for a jury to find him guilty. Then, we can expect a plea, IMO. (If the evidence supports a DP)
I can’t think of one reason for a defendant to proceed to trial in a DP case. JMO

Either
A) they're not offered a plea
B) they really think they'll be found innocent

 

[rsd1200]

MO. It was on the website for Pike county I think and just said that a numbered form was filed by him. That numbered form is for a request for a mental exam. Rsd do you still have the link for that?

I went to look for it yesterday and I can't find it now. We referenced it in the former thread, I think. She filed for amended visitation, I believe, back in Sept. 2018, and the last court date was after the arrests. I can still see their marriage and divorce there though. Maybe I have my links mixed up.

 

[rsd1200]

In reading this discussion I decided to browse that case. A voluntary withdrawal of the motion to change was filed by her attorney on 12/27. I'm not sure if this topic is ok for discussion here so I won't add any thoughts or opinions..

Thank you! I thought I'd lost my mind.

 

[StarEyes]

I’ve followed this case since it first hit the news. I live in a neighboring state where hillbilly justice is all too real. I’ve never been happier to see arrests made. I wonder if there’s not other reasons that the Ws comitted these murders, on top of custody. It just amazes me that custody of 1 child led to a family annihilation. Have we heard of any additional reasons they would wipe out the whole family?

 

[IQuestion]

I’ve followed this case since it first hit the news. I live in a neighboring state where hillbilly justice is all too real. I’ve never been happier to see arrests made. I wonder if there’s not other reasons that the Ws comitted these murders, on top of custody. It just amazes me that custody of 1 child led to a family annihilation. Have we heard of any additional reasons they would wipe out the whole family?

Hi STAREYES, bbm (means bolded by me above) Since you are "familiar with hillbilly justice"
what reasons do you think (did, could, would, caused, precipitated etc) lead to the massacre of 8 human beings? Is it to save face, right a perceived wrong, money, jealousy, infidelity... Ugh, I even dislike the term "H-B-J" because it makes me think the laws of civility are somehow discarded and violence more accepted/expected in remote areas? It's sad, because I think everyone had access to main stream television, radio, internet and newspapers. (Sesame Street, Highway to Heaven, Little House on the Prairie, Touched by an Angel?) It is not as if things are broadcasted in a foreign language. It is all in English, so their is no language barrier in understanding the laws of the land and the expectation of civility. The Wag's did not grow up in an inner city housing project with gang bangers and rampant violence, did they? Surely they were aware that cold blooded murder is NEVER justified in a civilized society. Hmmm, they probably knew that, huh? Guess that is why they hid their weapons, struck at night, and lied to police. Oh yeah, because they KNEW it was wrong.
All of this is so tragic. What were your first thoughts on this vicious, unconscionable mass murder? Would it have affected you differently if it happened in LA, Denver or Seattle? Thank you for your post....it is good to have varying outlooks.

 

[Sleuthinsleuther]

I have a question that I constantly find myself coming back to. I asked this the other night & did not get a clear response. Does anyone know what the process is for the media/public to gain access to the evidence,pics,docs, etc in this case? Once the evidence is presented in court will we have access to that evidence at that time, or after a verdict is reached? All evidence must be unsealed at some point, right?

You won’t be seeing any gory photos if that’s what you’re anxiously anticipating

 

[Charliegizmo49]

A local murder case I follow, is going to trial in March or April. One victim, one suspect. It’s been three years. An arrest was made almost immediately.
It made me ponder how long this case will truly go on before the W’s start making deals. How many years? Just how long can they tolerate county lock up v prison? That’s what I think it will come down to.

MOO

I disagree. Trial schedules do not ever depend or consider the alleged killer living conditions. It may force them to offer a plea, but I don’t believe the prosecutors in this international attended case nor the people of Ohio would tolerate.

A deal for any of them would be bad public policy.

If a crime this heinous were to happen ever again, those defendants too would ask fo a “deal” as well. There’s a n overhanging precedent to be set with these trials moving forward as charged.

The normal lifespan of the Rhodens and Ms GILLEY would average 76 years. At the age of their deaths the alleged murderers, the Waggie Feindish Four, robbed them of over 300 years of life. They played God when they had no possible right to.

As Judge Timothy McGinty said,” The Legislature wrote the law for the death penalty, it is up to them to find the money to pay for it.”

Honestly these trials will make or break careers for each attorney involved. It very well could make the three prosecutors common household names nationwide. If deals are struck the opposite might occur, they each could lose their jobs or return to anonymity known as the attorneys who caved in and lost or made deals to avoid a trial.

Imo it will take almost the same time to go to trial as it did to investigate the murders. The defense has the evidence but they do their own analysis. They will also be developing a defense. All of which takes time. And I expect, to avoid an appellate issue,Judge Deering will give them reasonable time to prepare. In the meantime Pike County pays each County housing the 4 Waggies $60.00 per day. That’s $240 per day. Since arrested Pike County cost for housing the Waggie Four exceeds $12,500.00. On the bright side AW has very little cooking to do and just has to make her cot up every morning.

 

[Charliegizmo49]

I’ve followed this case since it first hit the news. I live in a neighboring state where hillbilly justice is all too real. I’ve never been happier to see arrests made. I wonder if there’s not other reasons that the Ws comitted these murders, on top of custody. It just amazes me that custody of 1 child led to a family annihilation. Have we heard of any additional reasons they would wipe out the whole family?

Mat the beginning of each thread there is a lot of info that will help catch you up. Every now and then someone asks the same question and that’s generally the answer they get. It would take volumes to explain.

Imo it involves control, possibly and probably money and entitlement issues of the Waggies. While an intelligently laid out plan, they were sure stupid for assuming they would get away with angering and shocking the People if the State of Ohio and a nation who thought we had grown out of the hillbilly justice era. I should qualify that to say a heinous crime of this enormity and nature. I honestly think the Waggies thought it would calm down after the funerals and they would go on with their lives. I don’t understand how people can do undervalue taking 8 lives. If the Rhodens and Ms. GILLEY lived out their lives, and if guilty, the Waggies took over 300 years from them collectively. 300 years of life as a group only God had the control to give and take away. Think about that. I have. Respectfully written and my opinion.

 

[Dudly]

I disagree. Trial schedules do not ever depend or consider the alleged killer living conditions. It may force them to offer a plea, but I don’t believe the prosecutors in this international attended case nor the people of Ohio would tolerate.

A deal for any of them would be bad public policy.

If a crime this heinous were to happen ever again, those defendants too would ask fo a “deal” as well. There’s a n overhanging precedent to be set with these trials moving forward as charged.

The normal lifespan of the Rhodens and Ms GILLEY would average 76 years. At the age of their deaths the alleged murderers, the Waggie Feindish Four, robbed them of over 300 years of life. They played God when they had no possible right to.

As Judge Timothy McGinty said,” The Legislature wrote the law for the death penalty, it is up to them to find the money to pay for it.”

Honestly these trials will make or break careers for each attorney involved. It very well could make the three prosecutors common household names nationwide. If deals are struck the opposite might occur, they each could lose their jobs or return to anonymity known as the attorneys who caved in and lost or made deals to avoid a trial.

Imo it will take almost the same time to go to trial as it did to investigate the murders. The defense has the evidence but they do their own analysis. They will also be developing a defense. All of which takes time. And I expect, to avoid an appellate issue,Judge Deering will give them reasonable time to prepare. In the meantime Pike County pays each County housing the 4 Waggies $60.00 per day. That’s $240 per day. Since arrested Pike County cost for housing the Waggie Four exceeds $12,500.00. On the bright side AW has very little cooking to do and just has to make her cot up every morning.

I disagree. If the evidence is so compelling that a conviction is a definite, the W's lawyers will request a plea deal for LWOP.
I think it will be accepted due to trial costs and expedience. The W's lawyers will have had a "win" due to getting the DP off the table, it won't be considered a loss for them. It would not surprise me if the W's lawyers would request evidence be sealed with the plea agreement. That way the public will never know just how terrible the crimes were and the Ws somewhat "save face".

 

[Charliegizmo49]

Oh I get it. When the prosecutors say in court to the jury that he's the mastermind, it will already be out there that he is too uneducated to think like that.

Oh Thankx for that link to George the dad being labeled the mastermind!

I think each brought talent to their monsterous plan.

And IMO JAKE is not niave or innocentbor manipulated. He is a grown man in every sense of the word and with malice and forethought volunteered, planned and helped execute the killings. He was 25 years old when he helped pull the triggers killing these people. He’s not an innocent little boy told to kill. And this is assuming the charges are valid and all are found guilty.

 

[Charliegizmo49]

I disagree. If the evidence is so compelling that a conviction is a definite, the W's lawyers will request a plea deal for LWOP.
I think it will be accepted due to trial costs and expedience. The W's lawyers will have had a "win" due to getting the DP off the table, it won't be considered a loss for them. It would not surprise me if the W's lawyers would request evidence be sealed with the plea agreement. That way the public will never know just how terrible the crimes were and the Ws

Changed my mind about posting. Mybapology b

 

[Charliegizmo49]

I have a question that I constantly find myself coming back to. I asked this the other night & did not get a clear response. Does anyone know what the process is for the media/public to gain access to the evidence,pics,docs, etc in this case? Once the evidence is presented in court will we have access to that evidence at that time, or after a verdict is reached? All evidence must be unsealed at some point, right?

No there are reasons to keep some evidence sealed. And none of it should be made public under most curcumstances until it is presented in court.

 

[Starling]

MO. It was on the website for Pike county I think and just said that a numbered form was filed by him. That numbered form is for a request for a mental exam. Rsd do you still have the link for that?

Is there anywhere to view this form?

 

[Charliegizmo49]

Interesting read and release date
https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/2016CapitalCrimesReport

 

[Starling]

I have a question that I constantly find myself coming back to. I asked this the other night & did not get a clear response. Does anyone know what the process is for the media/public to gain access to the evidence,pics,docs, etc in this case? Once the evidence is presented in court will we have access to that evidence at that time, or after a verdict is reached? All evidence must be unsealed at some point, right?

I asked the same questions to a reporter covering the case. The public will not have access to autopsy photos or crime scene photos in the State of Ohio. What we see at trial is all there is to see. The others are protected under Ohio Law.

 

[rsd1200]

Is there anywhere to view this form?

They were under Pike County Juvenile and Probate Courts (iirc) but I don't see them there now.

 

[Starling]

They were under Pike County Juvenile and Probate Courts (iirc) but I don't see them there now.

So this was more than likely an older exam, when him and his ex were fighting over custody? I recall reading that at some point. If the records are gone - did someone request them to be sealed? I'm just thinking out loud.

 

[Starling]

So this was more than likely an older exam, when him and his ex were fighting over custody? I recall reading that at some point. If the records are gone - did someone request them to be sealed? I'm just thinking out loud.

He is charged with forging documents too - so they could be a part of the trial now.

 

[Tiff23fr]

They were under Pike County Juvenile and Probate Courts (iirc) but I don't see them there now.

The case is in Adams County Common Pleas.

 

[StarEyes]

Hi STAREYES, bbm (means bolded by me above) Since you are "familiar with hillbilly justice"
what reasons do you think (did, could, would, caused, precipitated etc) lead to the massacre of 8 human beings? Is it to save face, right a perceived wrong, money, jealousy, infidelity... Ugh, I even dislike the term "H-B-J" because it makes me think the laws of civility are somehow discarded and violence more accepted/expected in remote areas? It's sad, because I think everyone had access to main stream television, radio, internet and newspapers. (Sesame Street, Highway to Heaven, Little House on the Prairie, Touched by an Angel?) It is not as if things are broadcasted in a foreign language. It is all in English, so their is no language barrier in understanding the laws of the land and the expectation of civility. The Wag's did not grow up in an inner city housing project with gang bangers and rampant violence, did they? Surely they were aware that cold blooded murder is NEVER justified in a civilized society. Hmmm, they probably knew that, huh? Guess that is why they hid their weapons, struck at night, and lied to police. Oh yeah, because they KNEW it was wrong.
All of this is so tragic. What were your first thoughts on this vicious, unconscionable mass murder? Would it have affected you differently if it happened in LA, Denver or Seattle? Thank you for your post....it is good to have varying outlooks.

I hope I’m doing this quote thing correctly. I’m a long time lurker, and just recently started posting.

Where I grew up is in the deep coal fields of WV. Families that participate in “hillbilly justice” are taught that their whole lives. It’s a very poor area since the coal mines shut down. People take pride in their families, and often stick together during hard times and perceived wrongs. I myself feel that way about my family, but we’d not be likely to go the HBJ route. Regardless, I’d NEVER kill an entire family.

I think the custody is a big part of it. However, it’s not all. I have no idea if it will ever come to light, but there’s other reasons adding fuel to the fire. I think jealousy played a part. I think possibly money played a part. For instance, if there was an unpaid debt to the Ws from the Rs. I imagine there’s more to it, but those are the things I think about. They took any perceived wrong to any member of the family as a slight on their entire family. That’s how they stuck together. You do NOT go against the family in HBJ. That’s why I don’t think any of the Ws will roll over on each other. I’ve seen HBJ a lot in my life, even to an extent of murder. But, never on this scale. I’m still shocked at what the Ws did. I think their pride was a huge factor.

I’d feel differently in an area that wasn’t country and on hard times. This area (I don’t live all that far from Pike Co) will never truly change. We “hillbillies” have spent our lives being made fun of and treated like we don’t matter. That’s a big reason the family is important. It’s an Appalachian or cultural thing, I think. That’s how I feel. Please understand that this is all JMO and observations.