OH - Pike Co - 8 in Rhoden Family Murdered Over Custody Issue - 4 Members Wagner Family Arrested #82

[Betty P]

I didn't hear that - that Jake was Trouble -- I heard him trying to explain that Jake would have needed to have an IEP for school - and that George was smart - Jake struggled.

Interesting interpretation by the reporter, then. Maybe she wasn't paying close attention.

 

[justtrish]

https://twitter.com/jamespilcher

Third defense witness was Michael Walters Jr. - shop foreman at Buddy's Garage who was supervisor for both George and Jake.

Prosecution stresses George and Jake were hired together, and left the garage for a different job together. Walters said George superior employee, but the owner offered them both more money to stay. Both left for another job.

Back to Rev. Cinereski. Says George was smart, but Jake struggled in school. Says his reaction to Jake guilty plea "shock ... it was unbelieveable a horrible crime." Angela plea "it didn't make sense."

Wonder if this was in Alaska or in Ohio? So did the defense call 4 witnesses? I think I missed that.

The guy who called Jake the morning of the 22nd to "tell him the news"
The tattoo artist who did the 3 tattoos
The shop foreman
The pastor

Wow so 4 witnesses this morning in just 90 minutes.

 

[Ann99]

I have not been watching this morning. Defense seems desperate for witnesses.
Anxious to hear what tattoo artist had to say.
Is Junk in the courtroom?
Wondering if he is still ill.

 

[justtrish]

At this rate, maybe the defense will rest before the prosecution finishes?

 

[Betty P]

It seemed his interactions were when they were much younger. Funny for being close friends they didn't make effort to go see them in Alaska. So his son was actually the pastor of the church the Wagner's went to and his guy pastors a church about 90 miles away, but was there preaching when Angela, Jake, the kids were there. Didn't sound like they made too much effort to reconnect with their old buddy.

As I recall, his son acted as their spokesperson, too, after DeWine declared they were on laser focus.

Pictured in Alaska, family in 'laser focus' of multiple murder hunt

"The pastor at the Wagner family church Caleb Cinereski said: 'They are innocent and the police should charge them or leave them alone.

'They are not charged, not accused and not persons of interest and I don't understand why the police have done this to them.

'I have been to their home and prayed with them. This is an extremely upset family.

'But they are welcome members of the church and we haven't mentioned their situation during services.'

 

[Ann99]

At this rate, maybe the defense will rest before the prosecution finishes?

Defense may have used up all their witnesses this morning.

 

[almond]

Another Preacher?

 

[twall]

According to FOX19 reporter a hearing will be held Tuesday for the wiretaps.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1589624686098669568

 

[Skully67]

Interesting interpretation by the reporter, then. Maybe she wasn't paying close attention.

Trouble and struggle sound similar.

 

[arielilane]

On the stand: Caleb Cinereski (Pastor’s son)

https://twitter.com/CFranciscoWCPO

 

[rsd1200]

Pastor; Billy said: I've got some girls I'm gonna raise up to be wives for my boys. Pastor: That's not smart. It doesn't work that way.

I was right. They were wife shopping back then! The boys were so secluded their parents had to "help" God find suitable wives for them

 

[Ann99]

Pastor; Billy said: I've got some girls I'm gonna raise up to be wives for my boys. Pastor: That's not smart. It doesn't work that way.

I was right. They were wife shopping back then! The boys were so secluded their parents had to "help" God find suitable wives for them

Billy’s response regarding “girls” is so telling of the Wagner attitude.” Raise them up” seems to indicate control.
And now we know what happens to girls that can’t be controlled.

 

[Tillicum]

So what was the benefit of the pastor's testimony?

George good. Jake bad.

 

[pittsburghgirl]

Not in Ohio. My Elder Brother passed a week ago. Three weeks of ceremonies in connection with burial. I have been trying to attend as many as my health will allow but my own health is in decline. I missed over a week of trial. Just reading here to try to keep up in evenings. Too tired to post. sorry guys. Keep me up since i am too tired to watch trial. TIA

Raize

So very sorry to learn of the passing of your Elder Brother--and that your own health is a challenge. We have all missed you.

 

[CIA Team Member]

I feel so badly for Beth. She was just prey to this family.

 

[Betty P]

As I recall, his son acted as their spokesperson, too, after DeWine declared they were on laser focus.

Pictured in Alaska, family in 'laser focus' of multiple murder hunt

"The pastor at the Wagner family church Caleb Cinereski said: 'They are innocent and the police should charge them or leave them alone.

'They are not charged, not accused and not persons of interest and I don't understand why the police have done this to them.

'I have been to their home and prayed with them. This is an extremely upset family.

'But they are welcome members of the church and we haven't mentioned their situation during services.'

He's now talking about this statement.

He says BCI told him to stay away from the Wagners because they were dangerous people.

Parker busted for asking a leading question.

 

[arielilane]

https://twitter.com/jamespilcher

Kelly C testified:
He says Wagners were "a good family in our church" in Minford - he was at their house once a week early on as part of their discipleship program. Says Billy had a desire to turn his life around and have kids to live a different life.

Caleb C testified:
He was not invited to Jake and Beth Ann's wedding. As for who attended church the most, it was Jake (because of Beth Ann), Angela and George and kids only on Sunday morning. Billy only came twice overall.

 

[Pru2U]

I wish they would have highlighted the George is smart and Jake needed help some more and the George looked out for Jake. If Jake isn't so smart maybe it was George that helped daddy plan? It's also odd that Jake and Angela are better at computers, but George is the one that is so smart?

IMO planning & prep was primarily Jake's responsibility because it was ultimately Jake's problem.

As far as computer knowledge, I think that matches previous testimony that George spent his time outside the house while Jake mostly stayed inside. IMO George was a gear head who preferred the outdoors & Jake preferred to be indoors, maybe playing with electronics so he would have naturally been better with computers.

Also, there seems to be a running opinion George was a bit more social whereas Jake was introverted & socially awkward.

All JMO

 

[arielilane]

https://twitter.com/jamespilcher


New thread for second morning session from Wagner trial. Next up is Caleb Cinereski - the son of the pastor Kelly Cinereski. He also operates a church up there. He lived in Ohio 2001-2006. Moved away when he was 14

Remembers his dad taking him to the Wagner house to hang out with George and Jake while Kelly ministered to their parents.

He would hang out with George - fishing, hunting, baseball. Spent the night a few times "nothing unusual”

They would call every few months after he moved to Alaska

Wagners talked about buying house next to his

he’s got 6 children ages 0-10

Jake contacted him in 2015 - asked if he could send Hanna up there for a women's group. Caleb thought it was weird so he never responded. Got his own church in 2017 in Kenai

When Wagners came for a visit in 2018, Caleb invited them over for dinner. Only Jake and George showed up - his wife cooked moose stew. He wasn't up to date on how Hanna had passed.

He wasn't even sure Hanna had passed away. Says Jake then told him story about 8 members of Rhodens being killed. Caleb says
he told them he was sorry to hear that and it must be difficult.

He wasn't even sure Hanna had passed away. Says Jake then told him story about 8 members of Rhodens being killed. Caleb says he told them he was sorry to hear that and it must be difficult.

When Wagners moved back, they attented his church. Jake liked the programs they offered for Sophia.

Jake was there "often" especially after he started liking Beth Ann (Elizabeth Armer)

Says the man Beth Ann was living with asked Caleb if Jake would be good for her. Caleb says he wouldn't have allowed it for his daughter, but the man thought it would be good for her.

Eventually Jake and Beth Ann came and told him about engagement - gave pre-maritial counseling.

Cinereski says he recommended they wait, especially with the suspicions and accusations floating around

Once Ohio press release came out - he says "oh my word I guess this is a serious situation" he called 1-800 number. BCI agent called back for interview. Caleb says they went to his church. He informed me they were not suspects or persons of interests.

But BCI agent still told Caleb "stay away from them, they are dangerous people."

He told the church what he knew - Wagners not suspects or persons of interests, just being looked at. So Wagners allowed to continue attending church.

Also gave George and Jake tips for jobs.

He was not invited to Jake and Beth Ann's wedding. As for who attended church the most, it was Jake (because of Beth Ann), Angela and George and kids only on Sunday morning. Billy only came twice overall.

At one point, George concerned about negative impacts of media attention on church and pastor. He convinced George to come back in. Media came to church multiple times. Said he stopped talking to them.

Says he remember hearing they were arrested a month or so after leaving Alaska but it wasn't true. He called Jake - and he told Caleb Beth had left him. Was "shocked" when Wagners were actually arrested.

Calls the murders "evil and disgusting" and again shocked when Jake and then Angela pleaded guilty. "Couldn't beloeve it, hard to fathom."

He got a letter from Jake after Jake pleaded guilty.

If Jake had said something to him about murders, he would have done something about it

Says Jake didn't have a care in the world, outgoing when the family moved to Alaska in 2018

He visited them at their home a week after they didn't show up for church on Sunday. Billy met him on porch.

Another time he came out and met with Jake in the basement of the house. Jake's demeanor was “concerned"

Do you feel that you've been deceived by Jake, defense lawyer asks Cinereski. "Yes" he answers

 

[justtrish]

IMO planning & prep was primarily Jake's responsibility because it was ultimately Jake's problem.

As far as computer knowledge, I think that matches previous testimony that George spent his time outside the house while Jake mostly stayed inside. IMO George was a gear head who preferred the outdoors & Jake preferred to be indoors, maybe playing with electronics so he would have naturally been better with computers.

Also, there seems to be a running opinion George was a bit more social whereas Jake was introverted & socially awkward.

All JMO

BBM this pastor just testified that in Alaska George was more isolated and Jake was more friendly and his normal self that he remembered from childhood. It's odd that this friend of theirs saw Jake as a more friendly outgoing one.