Rhoden killings: Judge to hear arguments on evidence, death penalty charges against George Wagner IV

Quinlan Bentley, Cincinnati Enquirer
·2 min read

A judge did not rule Monday as to whether prosecutors can use certain evidence in the upcoming trial of George Wagner IV involving the death of a family in Pike County, though he said he will at a later date.

Pike County Common Pleas Judge Randy Deering said in court that he will hear arguments on June 21 on Wagner's motions to suppress audio recordings and his family's testimony, as well as to dismiss the death specifications filed against him.

George Wagner IV, his parents George "Billy" Wagner III and Angela Wagner, and their other son, Edward "Jake" Wagner are all charged in connection with the fatal shooting of Christopher Rhoden Sr., 40; his ex-wife, Dana Manley Rhoden, 37; their daughter, 19-year-old Hanna May Rhoden; their sons, Christopher Rhoden Jr., 16, and Clarence "Frankie" Rhoden, 20; Frankie's fianceé, 20-year-old Hannah Gilley; Chris Sr.'s brother, Kenneth Rhoden, 44; and Gary Rhoden, 38, a cousin.

The four Wagners were arrested in November 2018. Officials called it the largest murder investigation in state history.

Jake Wagner pleaded guilty to all 23 charges filed against him in April 2021. In exchange for his confession and plea, prosecutors agreed to drop the death penalty option for all four Wagners. Angela Wagner pleaded guilty to lesser charges in September.

Legal analyst: 30-year sentence for conspirator in Pike County slayings 'fair'

Jake Wagner and Hanna May Rhoden had a child together, and investigators have said disputes over custody of the child prompted the violence. Jake Wagner has admitted to shooting five of the eight Rhoden victims.

More: Relative of 8 victims of Rhoden family slayings files wrongful death lawsuit

George Wagner III and George Wagner IV have asked the judge to drop the death penalty charges against them ahead of trial, but Deering has not done so because a condition of the agreement was that both Jake and Angela Wagner must testify at trial, so the death penalty option remains in place.

George Wagner IV's trial is tentatively set to begin Aug. 29.

The Columbus Dispatch contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Pike County Massacre: Judge to hear arguments on evidence, death penalty