Sentencing Marks Progress in Notorious Ohio Massacre Case
Two members of the Wagner family were sentenced on Friday for their roles in the 2016 slayings of eight members of the Rhoden family in Pike County, Ohio. Jake Wagner, 29, was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 32 years, while his mother, Angela Wagner, 52, received 30 years, with credit for six years already served.
A Surprising Turn in Jake Wagner’s Sentence
Jake Wagner, who pleaded guilty to aggravated murder and had initially agreed to eight consecutive life sentences without parole, received a modified sentence. Visiting Judge Jonathan Hein explained that Jake’s cooperation with authorities, which was instrumental in solving the case, warranted a lesser sentence compared to other defendants. Wagner admitted to killing five of the victims and provided crucial evidence against his brother, George Wagner IV, who refused a plea deal and received eight consecutive life sentences without parole earlier this year.
Angela Wagner’s Role in the Plot
Angela Wagner admitted to helping plan the murders, which prosecutors say stemmed from a custody dispute over Jake Wagner’s niece, whose mother, Hanna Rhoden, was among the victims. Despite her power to stop the plot, she chose not to act. Her sentence reflects her complicity in the calculated murders.
Judge Denounces “Boundless Depravity”
“This case showed the boundless depravity of people who have no respect for others, only their own self-interest in mind,” Judge Hein said during sentencing. Emotional statements from victims’ families filled the courtroom, with Andrea Shoemaker, mother of victim Hannah Gilley, describing Jake Wagner as “the spawn of Satan” and his mother as “evil.”
The Scale of the Crime
The April 2016 massacre unfolded across three mobile homes and a camper near Piketon, Ohio. The victims included Christopher Rhoden Sr., 40; Dana Rhoden, 37; Clarence “Frankie” Rhoden, 20; Hanna Rhoden, 19; Christopher Rhoden Jr., 16; Hannah Gilley, 20; Kenneth Rhoden, 44; and Gary Rhoden, 38. Initially sparking rumors of cartel involvement, the murders ultimately led to one of the largest investigations in Ohio’s history, involving millions of dollars in resources.
Final Defendant Awaits Trial
George “Billy” Wagner III, the family patriarch, is the last Wagner family member awaiting trial. His case has been moved out of Pike County due to the extensive local familiarity with the case.
Jake Wagner’s Final Statement
In a lengthy courtroom statement, Jake Wagner spoke of Christian forgiveness and reflected on his actions. “I am sorry for what I’ve done, but I’m glad I got caught,” he said, attributing his arrest to divine intervention. As the trials conclude, the Wagner family’s role in what has been called the most heinous crime in modern Ohio history leaves a scar on the community, while justice continues to be served.
