Wagner trial canceled Thursday after juror becomes ill

WAVERLY, Ohio — The jury trial for George W. Wagner IV will not be moving forward on Thursday.

The announcement was made late-Wednesday night to the media by the court’s bailiff.

“Court will be canceled on Thursday, September 29th, 2022, due to an illness,” an email from the bailiff to the media read.

This is the third time a juror issue has caused a disruption in the trial where a man faces eight counts of murder. On Tuesday, the jury was sent home at lunchtime after the judge said a juror had a personal issue. Instead of removing the juror in question, Judge Randy Deering sent the entire court home early.

The illness that was announced Wednesday night was not labeled and it is unknown if it is the same juror that caused the early dismissal on Tuesday. Despite having six alternate jurors, Deering has decided to cancel court for Thursday. Last week, the jury was sent home early after a juror was having a “diabetic” attack. Noticeable on the panel is a juror who came in Wednesday using a crutch for the first time; she had previously not used one. Also last week, the judge moved a juror from the “jury box” to a more comfortable chair to the side in the gallery because she was complaining of “back pain” in the wooden seats.

This is the third week in Wagner’s trial where the state is still making its case. The trial is expected to go into early November.