IMO, based on living in Ohio for decades, if the trials result in a hung jury, it's a very strong bet it will be the same as an acquittal.
It will likely result in the 4 defendants being released from incarceration
The Ohio General Assembly will not allocate an extra $1 million needed to help Pike County pay for more trials
The defense attorneys know this, it's part of their strategy
The Ohio AG even passed the case along to Pike County because he didn't want to spend the money and manpower needed for 4 cases.
The Ohio General Assembly has a power structure that's locked in place for decades to come. Gov. DeWine had to work hard with them to get funding for these trials. They originally gave Pike County a $100,000 "down payment" to cover the pre-trial, discovery, etc. cost. Most of the Ohio General Assembly doesn't care whether or not anyone is convicted for the Rhoden murders. JMO
It's estimated the cost to try all 4 will exceed $1 million.
The headlines on this article are a little deceptive. Ohio's AG had only met with state legislators, but hadn't gotten a commitment from them to allocate the rest. He later withdrew from handling the case due to the cost, even though he had promised to help get the money.
Pike County massacre: State leaders give $100K toward prosecutions
Ohio’s next AG proposes help to cover Pike County murder costs
Pike County massacre: State leaders give $100K toward prosecutions
More recent articles claim the state recently has approved funding for the rest of the trials. It took them 2 years to finally fund the trials.
Suspect in Rhoden murders changes plea from not guilty to guilty
JMO, the defense is banking on them not coughing up another $1 + million if there's a mistrial. By then, they might assume there would no longer be negative repercussions for letting the Wagners remain free.
ALL JMO
So how do we prevent this from happening?