I really believe that the charges only came after Prosecution had basically an air tight case. They took the time to do it right. It is too big of a case to just “hope” there is enough evidence to convict.
They tried hard. They went to the Grand Jury in July 2018 but no such luck. Not enough.
Then the Peterson Rd well search...and voila! The silencer....
Final piece to the puzzle...Arrests, November 13, 2018.
George Wagner request for bail denied after hearing reveals new details
1:45 into the video - George's Bond Hearing - Suppressor recovered from well (cistern)
Scheiderer
"...They recovered a what appeared to be a maglite tube - what I believe it looked like to me - fashioned into a suppressor.
Canepa
Ok and that was actually a maglite correct?
Scheiderer
Correct.
Canepa
And those are made of aluminum is that correct?
Scheiderer
Yes.
Canepa
Ok and they also have serial numbers correct?
Scheiderer
Yes.
Canepa
Maglites do. So when you recovered that from the well were you able to make
contact with Maglite (company) to determine if they could tell you when that was manufactured?
Scheiderer
Yes we did it was manufactured after January 2016.
Canepa
Ok.
Scheiderer
Based on the serial number.
Canepa
Ok so it was manufactured in January of 2016.
Scheiderer
Correct.
Canepa
Based on the serial number.
Scheiderer
Correct.
Canepa
Ok and did you ultimately submit that to ATF?
Scheiderer
Yes we did.
- Canepa hands him the ATF report -
Canepa
Can you tell us if you recognize that?
Scheiderer
This is an ATF report from their lab, I'm just clarifying, from their lab.
Canepa
And were they able to render an opinion about that item you recovered from the well?
Scheiderer
Yah they determined that it was a suppressor as defined by Federal Statute and that it had been fired at least one time because they could see a bullet strike inside the suppressor.
Canepa
Ok and specifically did that suppressor contain the parts that you saw the Wagners
purchasing on-line between the months of February and to April 2016?
Scheiderer
Yes some of them were yes.
Canepa
And specifically for instance there's freeze plugs going down through the middle of that is that correct?
Scheiderer
Yes.
Canepa
Those are to help -
Scheiderer
Baffles baffle the sound.
Canepa
Suppress the sound and those were present in that item as well?
Scheiderer
Yes.
Canepa
Ok and I believe you saw them purchasing 10 of those at a local auto parts store correct?
Scheiderer
Yes correct.
Canepa
With cash.
Scheiderer
Yes.
Canepa
Did you also observe them purchasing other items - what you reference as the murder kit - but other items in the months leading up to these homicides?
Scheiderer
Yes we did.
Canepa
And what were those?
Scheiderer
They made purchases for a SKS magazine, SKS ammo. When I say SKS I mean 7.62 by 39 which is consistent with the 30 caliber. They purchased masks, I believe there was a bug detector that was purchased in that time - counter surveillance device.
Canepa
And the ammo and the magazines specifically were purchased March 27, 2016
correct?
Scheiderer
Yes.