The trial of George “Billy” Wagner III, accused of participating in the 2016 killings of eight members of the Rhoden family in Ohio, will be held in a different county. A judge granted the motion to relocate the proceedings on Monday, citing the impact of intense media coverage and the difficulty of assembling an impartial jury in Pike County.
Judge Jonathan Hein ruled that the small population of Pike County, coupled with widespread familiarity with the case, would make it impossible to find jurors without prior knowledge of the events. In his written decision, he emphasized that jurors could not truthfully claim they had no awareness of the case, which has garnered extensive public and media attention over the past seven years.
The Case That Shocked Ohio
The Rhoden family massacre unfolded in April 2016, when seven adults and a teenage boy were found shot to death in four separate homes in rural Pike County. The brutal killings initially led to speculation of drug cartel involvement, given the discovery of illegal marijuana-growing operations at the scene. However, investigators later determined that the motive stemmed from a custody dispute between the Wagner and Rhoden families.
The Wagner family became the focus of the investigation, which was one of the most extensive in Ohio’s history. Prosecutors allege that George Wagner III played a significant role in the killings, alongside his wife, Angela, and their sons, Edward “Jake” Wagner and George Wagner IV.
Status of the Wagner Family
George Wagner III is the last of his family members to face trial for the murders. His wife, Angela Wagner, has admitted to helping plan the killings and is scheduled for sentencing on December 17. Their youngest son, Jake Wagner, pleaded guilty to aggravated murder in a plea deal and agreed to testify against his family. Jake will also be sentenced on December 17.
The couple’s eldest son, George Wagner IV, was convicted in 2022 and received eight consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole.
Implications of the Relocation
The decision to relocate the trial underscores the challenges of maintaining impartiality in high-profile cases. Pike County’s small population and the extensive media coverage made it unlikely that a local jury could be seated without bias. Moving the trial to another county aims to ensure a fair process for Wagner, as the case has deeply affected the local community.
This final trial represents the closing chapter of a case that devastated the Rhoden family and captured national attention. As Wagner’s trial approaches, the focus will remain on delivering justice for the victims and their surviving loved ones.
