WAVERLY, Ohio – This afternoon, a judge could determine whether the trial of Billy Wagner, the father accused in the 2016 Pike County massacre, will be moved to another county. The hearing, scheduled for 1 p.m., comes as Wagner’s defense team pushes for a change of venue ahead of his January trial.
Billy Wagner is the last of four family members to stand trial in connection with the killings of seven members of the Rhoden family and Hannah Gilley. The shootings, which took place on a single night in April 2016, have been described as one of the most brutal mass murders in Ohio’s history.
Wagner’s wife, Angela Wagner, and son, Jake Wagner, have already pleaded guilty to their roles in the killings, while his other son, George Wagner IV, was convicted in 2022. Prosecutors allege the murders stemmed from a custody dispute involving Jake Wagner and one of the victims, Hannah Gilley.
In addition to deciding whether to grant a venue change, the judge may also rule on whether evidence of other alleged but unprosecuted crimes by the Wagner family will be allowed during the trial.
The outcome of today’s hearing could play a significant role in shaping the case, which has drawn national attention due to its complexity and the shocking nature of the crimes. Billy Wagner’s trial is scheduled to begin in early January.