Hello Folks, I've been following along in the media but haven't posted a lot over the last few months. I was reading some articles, and doing some pondering lately. Although I have known about Jake's announcement, (obviously planned on the anniversary of the murders, imo), to testify against his brother and parents, to get DP off the table for not only him, as well as the other three family members. He stated that his brother, father, and mother, were active participants, but he himself murdered five people and shot a sixth. He is still charged with the murders of all eight. If Jake's deal comes to fruition, he will die in prison, if he does not follow through, he will face the DP.
The last time that GW3 was in court "the judge denied a request from his defense attorneys to dismiss the death penalty before he goes on trial. The prosecution has said his youngest son, Edward “Jake” Wagner must testify against Billy first and that his plea agreement says the state gets to decide if he held
up his end of the plea deal." So as of now GW3 still has DP on the table.
AW has decided to follow suit, it seems, with her youngest, JW. Atty. Junk said, Wagner pleaded to conspiracy to commit aggravated murder, several counts of aggravated burglary, tampering with evidence, and other charges as part of a plea deal. The remaining eight counts of aggravated murder were dismissed. "The prosecution is recommending Wagner receive 30 years with no possibility of the death penalty (which, if she lives that long in prison, will make her close to 80 upon release). As part of the plea, she has agreed to testify against the other defendants. It will be up to the prosecution to determine if she fulfills her plea agreement. Junk says the victim’s family was aware of the plea and agreed to the terms."
GW3 has not had a trial date set. George Wagner IV, will
go on trial April 4, 2022 His is the only dna that is not found at the scenes (Note S was in the care of the Ws the night of the murders). It does not get him off the hook, b/c he played an active role in the planning, obstruction, tampering, etc..., even if he may not have been there at the scenes, it would not matter (he may have thought otherwise though). He might possibly have stayed at home with his son and neice, or was the driver that night. S was old enough to talk, as was G3's own son.
Rita Newcomb, was accused of helping her family members evade arrest and lying to a grand jury. She was initially charged with obstruction of justice, perjury and forgery but wound up pleading guilty only to obstruction of official business, a misdemeanor. The other charges were dismissed.
Billy Wagner’s mother, Fredericka Wagner, also was charged but those were eventually dropped.
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So, with all that said, no one is yet free from the DP yet, there are conditions. JW and AW have to testify against the other parties, and each other most likely. AW against both sons and her husband. JW, against his mother, father, and only sibling. JW realized that he would very likely get the DP if he fought the case. His lawyers laid it out to him. His best bet was to make the plea and die in prison. In turning against his family, if he testifies to suit the prosecution, the DP comes off of his family's cases too. It's a no brainer. AW followed suit. If she testifies, she can save herself, her husband and her eldest, who don't seem to be getting it through their heads theat they are sunk. GW3's and GW4's own lawyers could be advising them to plea, but they don't have to take their lawyer's advice. Just jotting down my thoughts and, in addition, making a placeholder, as I'm not on often these days.
Happy holidays!
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Pike County Massacre: Wagner family patriarch returns to court
Jake Wagner pleads guilty in Pike County massacre
Pike County Massacre: Angela Wagner pleads guilty
