George Wagner returns to court for a hearing in the Rhoden family murders
George Wagner returns to court for a hearing in the Rhoden family murders (WKRC) FRIDAY MARCH 22nd.......
PIKE COUNTY, Ohio (WKRC) - George Wagner, IV will return to a Pike County courtroom for a preliminary hearing Friday. His attorneys filed two new motions in the case.
Wagner, along with this brother Jake, and his parents, Billy and Angela, are all charged with murder seven members of the Rhoden family and Hannah Gilley.
The Rhodens were found shot to death in their homes on the morning of April 22, 2016 by a family member who went to the home each morning. The victims are Christopher Rhoden, Sr., his cousin, Gary Rhoden and Christopher’s ex-wife, Dana. Christopher and Dana’s children, Frankie, Christopher Jr. and Hanna were also shot to death along with Frankie’s fiancée, Hannah Gilley. Kenneth Rhoden was found shot once in his camper several miles away later in the day.
One motion dealt with possible DNA evidence, although the defense said in court that the prosecution told them they didn't plan to use it in George Wagner's case.
The second motion was granted Friday. It was a motion to allow Wagner to wear civilian clothing in court and to not be required to wear visible restraints. Wagner was already wearing civilian clothing. It wasn't clear if George was wearing a restraint vest in court like his mother Angela did on Wednesday. Deputies could use it to shock an inmate if they try to escape.
Wagner's attorney made a point to ask for one jail condition to be changed, even though he acknowledged that any changes would be up to the Ross County sheriff and not the court. He said George Wagner wanted to return to solitary confinement to make it easier to "read the Bible" and do what he likes to do. There was some discussion about construction at the jail.