OH - Pike Co - 8 in Rhoden Family Murdered Over Custody Issue - 4 Members Wagner Family Arrested #79

[justtrish]

Oh I got what you meant and agree!! I was just saying that some won't believe George did anything unless they can see it for themselves. He is guilty as sin!!!

Inaction IS action.

Silence IS agreement.

When those that can change the course of something don't, they are allowing it.

When we see evil and say nothing, we are part of the evil.

He may not have been "as evil" as the rest and maybe he did not agree with the fires for insurance or the wrecked truck for insurance (I sorta feel like he did, but let's just say he didn't like those actions) he sure did profit from them. If he didn't leave that house when those things were going on and continuing to go on, then his inaction allowed all of it. If he didn't want to do these murders, but said nothing that makes him WORSE! I mean come on if he's cleared headed enough to not want to do this or voice doubt and concerns then he might have been the only one that could have stopped them and he did nothing except go along with them.

 

[CIA Team Member]

I fear we will never know the entire story. Tweets are fine but it isnt a transcription. I know they are doing their best qnd I thank them

I'm wondering if the transcript of Jake's proffer will be released now that he's testified OR will it be held back for Billy's trial?

 

[wvredhead]

I read last night the prosecution has approximately 2 more weeks of presentations. I don't know if that's based on a 6 hour day (and Court out Thursday) but I would think it's a good estimation.

I wonder how many witnesses the defense has. I'd really like to know if GW maintains friends outside the family. I'm talking actual friends, the kind you go out with, go hunting with, help each other with projects, sit around a bonfire. I know in her Montana interview, AW said she didn't have any friends she talked to on a regular basis. She said she was too busy with the grandkids and raising dogs (or something like that).

Yesterday, in E's testimony, she said they always went anywhere & everywhere as a group, even short trips to the corner market. I hope the jury caught that.

That’s what’s commonly known of as a cult.

 

[Nanasteele]

The jury has to keep in their head that he was in the meetings, had knowledge, was at the scene and DID NOT REPORT ANYTHING TO KEEP THE MASACRE FROM HAPPENING! I truly believe they would've killed Tabitha if she had no left and gave him custody! Jake's ex-wife would also be dead if they hadn't been under the radar! BCI confirmed how she left town! So scary!

 

[justtrish]

They certainly had reason to be terrified after the murders. I wonder how many of the attempted break ins, creepers, etc. were really the Wags? Maybe Jake will say.

I recall reading here and maybe it was speculation, but something about people creeping around near the murder scenes on Union Hill Road after the murders and that was the reason they finally just moved the homes. I wonder if it was the W's going to burn them down?

 

[justtrish]

I'm wondering if the transcript of Jake's proffer will be released now that he's testified OR will it be held back for Billy's trial?

I bet it will be held till after Billy's trial and all of their sentencing.

I wonder if George's sentencing will be held off until after Billy's trial?

 

[Cool Cats]

Pike County murder trial: 'I felt I had no other choice than to kill Hanna,' Jake Wagner told jury

The seventh week of the trial of a man accused of murdering eight people in Pike County in 2016 began Monday as the prosecution continued its case.

www.wcpo.com

Early in his testimony, he smiled when he told the jury he loved his brother and would love nothing more than for George to be able to go home.

Prosecution began by questioning him on the different homes owned by the Wagner family; he admitted they'd intentionally burned down their house on Bethel Hill Road for insurance money. After that, the Peterson Road farm the family bought was put into his and George's names because their insurance history was clean.

He also admitted the family burned a semi truck in 2016 and that he intentionally wrecked George's truck in order to collect insurance money.

Jake and his brother would also commit other crimes, like poaching deer; alongside their father, Billy, they also stole fuel, lumber, appliances, tools, fencing and building materials and livestock from businesses in the area. Jake said they chose businesses with insurance so they wouldn't hurt working-class people nearby.

Like other witnesses before him, Jake told the jury the Wagner family finances were very entangled, with family members holding several bank accounts both alone and with one another. He and George often shared accounts, he said, though he was always able to access other family members' accounts for purchases if he needed.

Prosecution asked him about how decisions were made among the Wagners and he described the family meetings the jury heard about previously from Jake's ex-wife Beth Ann and George's ex-wife Tabitha Claytor. During those meetings, the family discussed chores, farm work and anything else affecting the family; at the end of the meetings, family members voiced their opinions and sometimes took votes to determine what everyone would do.

Jake described meeting Hanna Rhoden, when she was 13 and he was 17, in the 4-H building at the Pike County fair; he said the pair began dating, with her parents' permission. At the age of 16, Hanna gave birth to their child, Sophia.

The relationship ended in February of 2015 — a little over one year before the murders — and Jake said that's when custody concerns began.

"I was concerned that Hanna was going to let my daughter be molested," he told the jury.

Hanna was dismissive of that concern, he said.

Photo of Jake wearing glasses coming to court.

 

[RAISINISBACK]

I think Beth 100% believes that. (well I do also)

They kept burning things down to get insurance money because they didn't get caught. They kept stealing from businesses because they didn't get caught.

I 100% think they would kill again. Their solution to a problem.

JMO

 

[RAISINISBACK]

Jake burned Chris N also. He said Chris knew about and was in on wrecking George's truck. That is perjury. Looks like Jake is going to take the whole sorry lot down with him. I want him to tell how George is involved. If he doesn't will the jury convict?

Come on jake you slithering piece of crap, give us the evidence against George.

JMO

 

[Ann99]

Jake burned Chris N also. He said Chris knew about and was in on wrecking George's truck. That is perjury. Looks like Jake is going to take the whole sorry lot down with him. I want him to tell how George is involved. If he doesn't will the jury convict?

Come on jake you slithering piece of crap, give us the evidence against George.

JMO

Idk. I think Chris N was a likable GoodOl Boy who did some things… He didn’t make a living by “scrapping” alone.
Just my opinion.

 

[CIA Team Member]

Jake burned Chris N also. He said Chris knew about and was in on wrecking George's truck. That is perjury. Looks like Jake is going to take the whole sorry lot down with him. I want him to tell how George is involved. If he doesn't will the jury convict?

Come on jake you slithering piece of crap, give us the evidence against George.

JMO

And I recall CN talking about the accident telling us he was quite injured. Neither seems to have half a brain if not to consider such injuries prior. Jeeeesh.
Wonder if CN was given immunity to testify?

 

[dgfred]

Yeah, they are good at the actual 'accidents'... it is the thinking before and after they seem to have problems with.

 

[Ann99]

And I recall CN talking about the accident telling us he was quite injured. Neither seems to have half a brain if not to consider such injuries prior. Jeeeesh.
Wonder if CN was given immunity to testify?

You may be right! I bet he was encouraged in some way to testify.

 

[arielilane]

See below tweets from James thus far. He is not posting much yet. I'm sure he will post more later. In the meantime, please reference my previous postings from other journalist on Twitter.



Just back for lunch break - they are breaking until 12:30. So far, prosecutor Canepa is running through the initial background and we've gotten up to the point when at least Jake and his father decide to kill the Rhodens. He walked through the silencer purchases etc.

Jake testified that it was father's idea initially to kill the Rhodens. He disagreed saying Hanna was the mother of his daughter and that he still loved her. But he expressed concern over possible abuse of Sophia to Hanna, and she said "we'll just have to deal with it”

Jake says that "was the tipping point for me" - he told his father "we have to do it." This was early 2016 and preparations began. His job was to get firearms with silencers and a separate vehicle. No mention of George yet - but he was there when he bought the truck.

Other key points - Jake looked at George several times, but the older brother kept his eyes down most of the time at the defense table. Jake said he destroyed two guns while trying to make silencers out of flashlights - eventually settled on oil filters.

We haven't gotten to the actual day of the killings. Jake appears composed. Early on he is asked if he loved his brother "yes" does his brother love him "yes" and that he wished more than anything that George could go home

https://twitter.com/jamespilcher

 

[iulia]

They showed the truck they used the night of the murders, they showed the Ding Dong MFs scene, they are getting close to the actual murders..

Mr Nash keeps smiling, I wonder what's so funny..

 

[Cool Cats]

He said he, his mom and dad talked about it
He said it was his dad's idea first, and he said no way. But then Jake changed his mind.
He said his dad told him to collect the firearms, prepare a silencer and get a vehicle that was not his.

Where is George in all this? Jake is a freaking coward. He is too big of a coward to even say George was in on it. What's he think George is going to do. hit him?
I have a feeling this is going to be another day of Jake and Angie with a few mentions of Billy.
JMO

A mention of George going with Jake to buy the murder truck. Can't find anything else against George so far.

 

[Seattle1]

When Hanna did not do her chores -- in this case, mowing the lawn, Jake states he pinned her against the wall for about 5 mins with his arm against her collar bone. Jake disputes this was choking her. Wow, what a dude...so proud of himself.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1584576361616015360

 

[almond]

Is it my imagination or is Nash paying more attention to George's notes today?

 

[arielilane]

And I recall CN talking about the accident telling us he was quite injured. Neither seems to have half a brain if not to consider such injuries prior. Jeeeesh.
Wonder if CN was given immunity to testify?

Oct. 13/Newcomb said he almost died when he got in a wreck in George's truck after the murders. Jake was driving. Angie Canepa asks whether it was intentional. He says "not on my part." Newcomb said it took 4, 4 1/2 hours to get him out of the truck.

https://twitter.com/Angenette5

 

[Betty P]

I recall reading here and maybe it was speculation, but something about people creeping around near the murder scenes on Union Hill Road after the murders and that was the reason they finally just moved the homes. I wonder if it was the W's going to burn them down?

They were also reported at the home of Kenneth's ex wife. Geneva Rhoden (mother of Chris Sr and Kenneth) reported someone had damaged the door and lock to her apartment.