OH Pike County: 8 in Rhoden Family Murdered Over Custody Issue 4 Members Wagner Family Arrested#42

[Cool Cats]

To answer your question of why the long wait. It is for that very reason of how DeWine would look if he arrested someone on flimsy evidence in the biggest Ymurder case of his career. He patiently waited 2 1/2 years beating off questions from the press until he had a 100% concrete case. A slick politician like him would not do anything less.

If you look you can clearly see what the R's murder case meant to DeWine. He jumped in his (car, plane, train?) and rushed on down to Pike county to personally oversee everything in connection with the investigation. I think he made it there a couple of hours after the first call to the BCI. He took over all aspects of the investigation. He gave all the interviews to media with Reader standing like a frozen statue behind him. He called all the shots about what was released to the media. He fought for nearly 2 years all the way through Supreme Court to keep the autopsies out of the hands of the media. And like the great politician he is he even brought his lovely wife in by giving us that tidbit of Franny's opinion about the ....(unmentionable in consideration of a certain poster on here lol). Then in the end it was DeWine front and center, taking time out of his very busy pre governor's mansion schedule so no one else could steal his thunder for solving the case, to announce the arrests of the W's.

If you think about it, there was no way DeWine was going to rush to an arrest on a case that meant that much to him. He is just too good of a politician for that.

JMO

Good points. And DeWine had specific laws and set procedures he had to follow, it wasn't just up to him. Junk ( Canepa too?) had to convene a Grand Jury and we know that happened in July 2018. This all takes TIME.

The GJ decided not to indict the Wagners at that time, they wanted another piece of evidence.
DeWine could only go as fast as the Case would allow him to go.

It was only a couple of years before a GJ was seated and I just don't see that as being unusually long for 8 murders. It can take longer for one murder!

***Here is another reason 2 and 1/2 years passed before the Wagners were arrested. A little bit of help was given to the Pike County Sheriff's Office behind the scenes. Help like this takes TIME***

Several dozen local, state, and federal agencies assisted in the investigation and nearly 2 dozen of them were LE agencies from 10 different states and Canada. Shall we say time consuming?

• Adams County Sheriff's Office
• Buckeye State Sheriffs' Association
• Butler County Sheriff's Office
• Chillicothe Police Department
• Clark County Prosecutor's Office
• Columbus Division of Police
• Delaware County Sheriff's Office
• Franklin County Prosecutor's Office
• Franklin County Sheriff's Office
• Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office
• Ohio Air National Guard
• Ohio Crisis Response Team
• Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction
• Ohio Department of Taxation
• Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission
• Ohio State Highway Patrol
• Pickaway County Sheriff's Office
• Piketon Police Department
• Portsmouth Police Department
• Ross County Sheriff's Office
• Scioto County Prosecutor's Office
• Scioto County Sheriff's Office
• U.S. 23 Major Crimes Task Force
• Warren County Prosecutor's Office
• Warren County Sheriff's Office
• Waverly Police Department
• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
• Customs and Border Patrol
• Drug Enforcement Agency
• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Homeland Security Investigations
• U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Ohio
• U.S. Postal Inspection Service

With the scope and magnitude of this investigation ---
I'm impressed that it only took a little over 2 years to seat the Grand Jury.

Pike County murders: Which Ohio agencies worked on investigation

 

[Puzzles8]

The Notary has an embossing stamp and that, with their signature, is proof that they personally saw all people involved sign the papers. You normally have to show identification. With car titles, that keeps people from stealing a car and signing the title over to themselves with forgery. All banks and car dealerships have at least one employee that is a Notary.
Their stamp and signature are proof documents are not forged. They also can not notarize documents for family members or where they have any personal interest.
"In no jurisdiction would it be legal to notarize a document without the signing person present. ... It is impermissible to notarize the document after the person has signed. The entire point of having a notary is so that the notary can attest that the person who is alleged to have signed, actually did sign the document."

I'll just add that the actual "stamp" does not include a date marker, at least in Illinois. Dates on the notarized document are written by hand. The only date on a Notary stamp is the expiration date of the Notary's license. There is also no sequential numbering on the stamp, so it is impossible to determine the actual date without the log.
The log is for legal purposes and rarely gets reviewed unless there is a legal or IRS issue. Even then, a log and signature could be forged by a dishonest notary.

MOO

 

[Loomis124]

Well that car does appear to have a broken headlamp and a dented front fender.

Is that a wheel chair ramp going into the trailer? I never noticed that before. I wonder who that was for? Or maybe it was to wheel the crop in for processing?

It has been said the wheelchair ramp was for Dana, who injured her knee in a car accident. IDK. Just what was said

JMo

Here is revised timeline section for days leading up to the murders:

March 21, 2016

Chris Rhoden, Sr. purchases property and home at 3122 Union Hill Rd. for his ex-wife Dana Rhoden, where she lived with their children Hanna Mae Rhoden and Christopher Rhoden, Jr.
Properties released to family of Pike County victims

Two to three weeks prior to murders: Leonard Manley claims Jake Wagner and his father tried to get Hanna M Rhoden to sign documents giving custody of her daughter Sophia to Jake Wagner.

April 3, 2016
Fredericka Wagner and Rita Newcomb forged custody documents related to Sophia, daughter of Jake Wagner and Hanna Rhoden
Billy Wagner to answer to charges for Rhoden, Gilley murders in Pike County
https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov...ecutions/PikeCountyAdditionalIndictments.aspx

10 days prior to murders: A Facebook threat is made by a teen saying he will "Go up to Union Hill and
take them all out"

April 15, 2016
Wagner family alleges Hanna Rhoden dropped off her daughter Sophia at their home. This conflicts with other reports that Jake Wagner picked up Sophia around 10:30 pm April 21.

Sunday, April 17, 2016
Hanna Rhoden gives birth to Kylie Rhoden at Southern Ohio Medical Center, Portsmouth, OH
Get Access

Monday, April 18, 2016
Photos of Hanna Rhoden in hospital with daughter Sophie and new baby Kylie. Sophia brought to hospital by Jake Wagner.
Graves: My wish for the Rhoden babies

Tuesday, April 19, 2016 - Woman sentenced in road rage incident court case involving Chris Jr.
OH - Pike County: 8 people from one family dead as police hunt for killer(s) #5

Wednesday, April 20, 2016 - ?

Thursday, April 21, 2016
8 am: Dana arrives at work - Hillcrest Nursing Home, Peebles, OH
Afternoon/Evening: Kendra Rhoden makes plans to spend the night with Hanna Rhoden, but cancels hours before to take a babysitting job
10:30 pm – Jake Wagner is reported to have picked up Sophia from Hanna Rhoden, a day earlier than usual
11pm: Dana leaves work - Hillcrest Nursing Home - 14 miles away per CNN
Approx 11:20 pm - Dana arrives home

Friday, April 22, 2016
1 am: April Manley, sister in law of Dana Rhoden, allegedly exchanges text messages with Dana. This information has never been confirmed by LE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bf4ObgRJ_Xo[/video

2 am: James Manley later told by LE that he received a text from Jake Wagner, ex-boyfriend of Hanna Rhoden. LE has never confirmed this.
Pike County Murders: Father says it’s like ‘tearing the scabs off us’

Between 1 am and 7 am - the following were murdered:

Bodies found at 3122 UHR: Dana, Hanna Rhoden, Chris Rhoden Jr.

Bodies found at 4077 UHR: Chris Sr. and Gary (3 GSW to head)

Bodies found at 4199 URH: Frankie and Hannah Hazel Gilley

Body found near 799 LFR: Kenneth Rhoden (1 GSW to head)

OH - Pike County: 8 people from one family dead as police hunt for killer(s) #5>

Ok, I'm trying to figure out the timeline for JW picking up Sophia. If he didn't pick her up before HMR delivered her new baby, did he not bring her to the hospital to visit HMR? Who brought her up to the hospital? Who was caring for her when HMR was in the hospital?

Well that car does appear to have a broken headlamp and a dented front fender.

Is that a wheel chair ramp going into the trailer? I never noticed that before. I wonder who that was for? Or maybe it was to wheel the crop in for processing?

JMo

Let's not kid ourselves, I don't think JW had any legal expense at all. After all, he already had forged custody documents...... If he did need any legal help, I'll bet he used FW's attorney that represented her over the years in her legal matters. He might have done this as a favor to FW and charged JW nothing at all.
I think the ***** site was just another W4 scam to get innocent people's money, and of course part of their social media campaign to "appear" sympathetic to the public.

IIRC, he only raised $200 before it was removed. Anyone?

 

[rsd1200]

.


Good catch Seattle. It is in the 2nd picture in this article. It appears to be a ring over the tattoo band. The obit says boyfriend. Currently thinking "as if things were not confusing enough".

Graves: My wish for the Rhoden babies

Obituary for Rhoden Family | Roger W. Davis Funeral Home, West Portsmouth, OH

Edit Add: a ring would be one way to say she did not plan on going back to JW

To me, when compared with the tatted ring, which can be seen on CG's FB page, it looks like her tatt. If he truly did think that K might, possibly, be his, then the presence of CH was probably making JW doubly uncomfortable.

 

[rsd1200]

Medium blue 4dr sedan, around early-mid 90s. A Lumina was my guess. There was a pic of it sitting at KR's and a later pic on the rollback, if both were the same car. Definitely appeared the same color.

I see six, not including the stinger, a real Scorpion has five not including the stinger. After we learned of the movie, I think it's more about the Boondock Sts. scorpion/frog story, and the placement of the tatt, on the trigger finger, than the number of segments, on the tail.

 

[Puzzles8]

Thanks. Ok, I don’t doubt your experiences. Not trying to start an argument.

I’ve used Notarys often in Ohio, but always at a bank. They have always kept a log. Maybe banks are more stringent.
Did you have to report the fees?

In reading all the State of Ohio info, FAQ’s it is confusing and unclear.
Here is my reason for the post. Again, I’m not trying to start an argument- It does appear as if the journal may NOT be mandatory.
Some type of record keeping is alluded to.

“Every Ohio notary needs a notary record book to record every notarial act he or she performs.
( A notary record book is also referred to as a “journal of notarial acts” or a “notary journal.”)
The entries you record in the record book will be used as evidence if a notarial act you performed is ever questioned in a court of law.
Notary record books also build customer confidence and discourage fraudulent transactions.
This useful and economical Ohio notary record book accommodates 350 entries and includes step-by-step instructions for recording notarial acts. The book is chronologically numbered so that it will be easy to detect if a record is tampered with. This journal meets or exceeds Ohio state requirements for proper notarial record keeping

I suspect a Bank insists on a log being kept by a Bank Notary because of potential liability.

 

[Puzzles8]

Maybe he maxed out his credit cards buying brass catchers, shoes and stuff to make silencers with at Walmart?

Add black hair dye....

 

[sunshineray]

If they'd never done a DNA test at an approved facility, or filed the appropriate paperwork when S was born, and since they were unmarried, he'd have to do one at an approved facility and take it from there.




Father's Parental Rights in Ohio | The Law Offices of Saia & Piatt, Inc.

Thanks rsd, great info! Makes me wonder now, was it only spoken about by the W's that HR and JW had such a wonderful system of sharing custody in place? Maybe that really wasn't the case after they broke up and was the overwhelming catalyst for the bad feelings many have alluded to. So much we really don't know for certain but LM's early statements about custody seem to have really pointed the way.

 

[ColMustard]

I see six, not including the stinger, a real Scorpion has five not including the stinger. After we learned of the movie, I think it's more about the Boondock Sts. scorpion/frog story, and the placement of the tatt, on the trigger finger, than the number of segments, on the tail.

I counted the stinger as a segment, it's jointed like the other segments anyway.

I'm thinking it could mean it wasn't real crowded at KR's. There can only be one shooter there, unless additional shots were misses.

I'm also inclined to think it has a dual meaning. Scorpion/Frog story, and body count/warning, maybe even a trophy. MOO

Here's what a search showed about a scorpion's tail, and the stinger may not really count:

Each pincer has a fixed claw and a movable claw. The body of the scorpions has two parts or tagmata: the head and the abdomen. The metasoma or tail has five segments and the telson, which is a vesicle-like organ that stores the poisonous glands.

 

[asmi106082]

I suspect a Bank insists on a log being kept by a Bank Notary because of potential liability.

They also carry a bond on their notaries. At least, my former employer (a bank) did.

 

[Puzzles8]

This man is Fred's Attorney. The only monitoring being done on Fred is she has to wear an electronic ankle monitor and comply with all the conditions associated with her house arrest and several bail conditions.
But everyone on bail even without house arrest still has to follow a list of conditions. House arrest just makes it more complicated and greatly restricts your movements.

Yes there is often a fee involved when wearing an electronic tether.
The Pike County Courthouse Clerk's Office should list the fees for electronic tether monitoring.

I think the other 5 have court appointed attorneys based on financial need. Is FW's attorney court appointed or is she paying him? I suspect she has hired him personally, that may be why he has become such a courtroom puppet of her's "......close to the cross...not even a parking ticket - really, is that relevant or just grandstanding??"
If she can afford an attorney, then the court might rightly think she should pay the cost of electronic monitoring. I'm pretty sure she would not be able to select and hire one personally, but the cost might be billed to her through the court.

 

[sunshineray]

Hiya RSD1200, bbm I highlighted your comment because you bring up something I have been thinking about for a few months about JW's claim of legal bill 4 times greater than he anticipated.
First of all, it would have been obvious the Mother of the child was "underage" if he was required to provide a birth certificate for S and HMR, right?? Did it ever occur to anyone that a FALSE DATE OF BIRTH was provided to the attorney, for either S's d.o.b or HMR's d.o.b and the attorney found out when HMR's death certificate was produced? JW already knew he would be asked questions about HMR's age.....and I think he tried to hide it when he submitted the docs. (If he were my client and I found out he lied about "age"....I'd charge 4 times more to refile the corrected documents!) I just have to say, I'm getting the feeling JW doesn't always disclose all the information in a truthful manner. Perhaps he told the attorney, "She told me she was 16 years old....I am absolutely shocked! She lied? Oh, poor me....and now I have a daughter to raise, all by myself."
Just using my imagination and "what-if" scenarios.
Because there has to be a reason he is being "squeezed" on the issue now. I think that has been "the real elephant in the room."

IQ that is very interesting. I've never given that aspect thought. If JW did go to the hospital with HR when S was born you'd think someone would have noted that the father was of age and the mother was a minor and reported it. JW being in danger of being prosecuted would be a reason for HR not naming him as the father on S's birth certificate, if in fact he wasn't named. Could well be why the lawyer fees were so much.

 

[ColMustard]

I had something notarized at a bank in Ohio and didn't see the notary make a log entry, but it could've been done after I left.

I do know there are notaries that are really lax. If you nod emphatically that the signature is real, that's all they ask for in that respect.

 

[Puzzles8]

Cool Cats, you are right. The charges against Fredericka could be that simple.
I just feel like more is going on than we know about.
We may have more clues after the next deadline, if there is any coverage for the public.
From the article you linked:

“Owen requested a transcript be provided as soon as possible and the judge set a deadline of Jan. 31 barring any delays.
The judge said he may need time to review the transcripts before they are made available to the defense.”

I'm going to respectfully disagree with you. I think FW's nightmare has only just begun....
No links, just a gut feeling.
MOO

 

[Deleted member 237253]

To me, when compared with the tatted ring, which can be seen on CG's FB page, it looks like her tatt. If he truly did think that K might, possibly, be his, then the presence of CH was probably making JW doubly uncomfortable.

If you zoom in on the ring you can see an actual ring overlapping her tattoo.

 

[ColMustard]

I think the other 5 have court appointed attorneys based on financial need. Is FW's attorney court appointed or is she paying him? I suspect she has hired him personally, that may be why he has become such a courtroom puppet of her's "......close to the cross...not even a parking ticket - really, is that relevant or just grandstanding??"
If she can afford an attorney, then the court might rightly think she should pay the cost of electronic monitoring. I'm pretty sure she would not be able to select and hire one personally, but the cost might be billed to her through the court.

IMO it looks like that lawyer went to the Disney School of Court Presence. Hands waving around, both hands above his head, he's really chewing up the scenery.

 

[sunshineray]

Yes, my thoughts, too. KR2 probably knows when JW picked up Sophia. Who were the people who had the most interactions with Hanna between the time she came home from the hospital and her tragic death? KR2 was arranging to come spend the night. Did anyone else mention dropping by for a visit? Who all was in Dana Rhoden's house in the 24-48 hrs before the murders?

Didn't KR2 herself say HR came out and went fishing that day with them? DR was working from morning to night. Either the newborn came with them fishing, was taken to someone's home (to HHG's so CG could see her?) or someone babysat at DR's while HR was out.

 

[Puzzles8]

I would think if KR2 spent time with HR that day and was going to spend the night with her, HR probably mentioned if JW was picking S up that night or already had her from days before.

I vaguely remember there was a story about them fishing together that day?

 

[Betty P]

Didn't KR2 herself say HR came out and went fishing that day with them? DR was working from morning to night. Either the newborn came with them fishing, was taken to someone's home (to HHG's so CG could see her?) or someone babysat at DR's while HR was out.

Thanks, I recall the same story, but can't find it. Any links to fill in the blanks would help!

 

[Puzzles8]

Jmo I have a hard time at this point believing le have all that or the arrests would have came sooner, but if they do then the Ws need the chair jmo

I go back to Dewine's presser. He likened it to a 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzle. He said they had to fit all the pieces together (paraphrase).
I don't think LE's focus turned towards the W4 until apr/may of 2017, on the heels of them leaving for ak. I think LE collected may pieces of evidence over 2.5 years, but they just couldn't figure out how to put the pieces/proof together to make the charges strong enough to go forward with DP case.
I suspect either information from John Doe or the CI was the "ahha" moment LE needed to connect together all of the evidence into strong charges and a case to prosecute.
MOO
ETA - for grammar