OH - Pike Co - 8 in Rhoden Family Murdered - 4 Wagner Family Members Arrested #89

[arielilane]

I am still confused on if he ruled the 2nd time on change of venue or not. It seems he maybe did and I missed that whole thing. I am not sure if the reports are still considering his first ruling or if he did in fact rule on that the 2nd time.

He ruled change of venue.

There has not been a trial date set, but all parties seem to think October would be a reasonable timeline for the trial to start. Judge Jonathan Hein also ruled the trial will not take place in Pike County, but no new venue for the trial has been selected. Hein said on Monday the case is “past due.”

Wagner trial moved out of Pike County, no trial date set

George “Billy” Wagner III appeared in Pike County Common Pleas Court Monday for a status hearing. This was Wagner’s first hearing since the 4th District Court of Appeals ruled that

www.newswatchman.com

Feb 10, 2026

 

[arielilane]

With the Pike County murder case now a full decade old, I join fellow @Enquirer reporter @JoleneA1
and former staff photog @ldufour to talk about the case in a special edition podcast. On Tuesday: a look back on the crime and the county where it happened.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2043770910159634514

Article behind a paywall


Ten years after eight of its residents were shot to death in the night, #PikeCounty is moving forward even while prosecutions in the case continue.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2044007118231970297

 

[arielilane]

That's So Cincinnati Special Edition 10 years after the Pike County murders

Podcast Episode · That's So Cincinnati · April 13 · 1h 10m

podcasts.apple.com

I remember a few things differently that is stated.

What are the things that differ from your collection?

Is it worth a listen?

 

[Covert Operative]

What are the things that differ from your collection?

Is it worth a listen?

They were small things, I mean it's nothing you don't already know. Just a very condensed recap of the case.

 

[Covert Operative]

He ruled change of venue.

There has not been a trial date set, but all parties seem to think October would be a reasonable timeline for the trial to start. Judge Jonathan Hein also ruled the trial will not take place in Pike County, but no new venue for the trial has been selected. Hein said on Monday the case is “past due.”

Wagner trial moved out of Pike County, no trial date set

George “Billy” Wagner III appeared in Pike County Common Pleas Court Monday for a status hearing. This was Wagner’s first hearing since the 4th District Court of Appeals ruled that

www.newswatchman.com

Feb 10, 2026

I knew he ruled the first time, but I totally missed his second ruling on that apparently.

 

[Betty P]

He ruled change of venue.

There has not been a trial date set, but all parties seem to think October would be a reasonable timeline for the trial to start. Judge Jonathan Hein also ruled the trial will not take place in Pike County, but no new venue for the trial has been selected. Hein said on Monday the case is “past due.”

Wagner trial moved out of Pike County, no trial date set

George “Billy” Wagner III appeared in Pike County Common Pleas Court Monday for a status hearing. This was Wagner’s first hearing since the 4th District Court of Appeals ruled that

www.newswatchman.com

Feb 10, 2026

But he hasn't named a county to have the trial? He's had a year or so to figure this out. They need a new judge for Billy's case.

 

[Covert Operative]

But he hasn't named a county to have the trial? He's had a year or so to figure this out. They need a new judge for Billy's case.

Yes, they sure do need a new judge. He prob can't pick/get a place til he knows when the trial will be, no other county can probably commit to anything for him yet is what I guess.

 

[arielilane]

Very unfair, unfortunate and it does not seem right for the victims' loved ones that change of venue allowed. moo

 

[Covert Operative]

Seems another decision of Judge Hein was overturned in another case. He is horrible.

Judge ordered to return convicted killer at home in Xenia to death row

David Lee Myers’ conviction for the 1988 murder of Amanda Jo Maher was vacated then reinstated, leading prosecutors to request he be returned to Ohio’s death row, highlighting concerns over community safety and flight risk.

www.daytondailynews.com

 

[arielilane]

Understanding the Pike County massacre

It’s been dubbed as the largest murder investigation in Ohio.

www.wlwt.com

4/15/2026

 

[Vaderman]

Timeline: A full history of the Pike County murders

George Wagner IV is accused of murdering eight members of the Rhoden family after an alleged custody dispute.

www.wcpo.com

Can't believe it's almost been ten years. This is one of those cases I can remember where I was and what I was doing (before I joined Websleuths, though!)

I can't believe justice is still flailing in this one.

 

[Caylee Advocate]

https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/pike-county/dewine-looks-back-at-pike-county-massacre-and-the-clues-that-solved-it/

 

[Vaderman]

https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/pike-county/dewine-looks-back-at-pike-county-massacre-and-the-clues-that-solved-it/

The most infuriating sentence in that article:

Almost eight years after his arrest, Billy Wagner, George and Jake’s father, still has not gone to trial.

A decade.

 

[Niner]

Just a docket update for Billy

Docket Information
Date Docket Text
04/10/2026 MOTION, ENTRY, AND CERTIFICATION FOR APPOINTED COUNSEL FEES FILED


for Angela & Jake docket updates

Docket Information
Date Docket Text
04/20/2026 ENTRY - APPELLANT'S MOTION TO APPOINT SPECIAL PROSECUTORS TO ASSIST IN THE APPEAL IS GRANTED; ATTORNEYS STEVEN L TAYLOR AND SETH L GILBERT ARE APPOINTED TO ASSIST THE APPELLANT
COPIES FILED EMAILED TO COUNSEL, 4 MAILED TO COURT OF APPEALS

04/21/2026 NOTICE OF APPEARANCE
Attorney: GILBERT, SETH L
Attorney: TAYLOR, STEVEN L

link: https://cpcourt.pikecounty.oh.gov/eservices/search.page.3.3?x=iPOZ-M-2d7Dx8gWgAbqCZQ

 

[Betty P]

The most infuriating sentence in that article:

Almost eight years after his arrest, Billy Wagner, George and Jake’s father, still has not gone to trial.

A decade.

Also infuriating

“Jake will spend life in prison with a chance of parole after 32 years,”

 

[rescuemom]

Also infuriating

“Jake will spend life in prison with a chance of parole after 32 years,”

Hopefully NO chance