PIKE COUNTY, Ohio — The trial of George Wagner IV is scheduled to begin this week in a Pike County courtroom. Wagner, his brother, mother, and father are all accused of planning and executing what has been called the “worst crime” in Ohio history.
It has been 6 years since the slaughter of Dana Manley Rhoden, 37; her ex-husband, Christopher Rhoden Sr., 40; their sons, Christopher Rhoden Jr., 16, and Clarence “Frankie” Rhoden, 20; their daughter, Hanna Rhoden, 19, the mother of Jake Wagner’s daughter; Frankie’s fiancée, Hannah Gilley, 20; Kenneth Rhoden, 44, a brother to Chris Sr; and Gary Rhoden, 38, a cousin to Kenneth and Chris Sr.
Two Wagner family members have already admitted to being involved in the massacre. The mother, Angela Wagner, accepted a plea deal in September of last year. Jake Wagner, her son, who is thought to have planned the killings, also pleaded guilty. Both will have to testify against their family members as part of the deal.
Richard Nash, Jr., and John Parker, two of Wagner’s lawyers, said in his defense that “statements and recorded confessions from others show that George Washington Wagner IV did not shoot and kill any of the victims.”
Jury selection continued through Monday and the court said it could go into later this week, if needed. Opening arguments could begin as early as Tuesday but could even be delayed until after Labor Day, court representatives said. The Guardian will bring you live video coverage of the trial.