PIKE COUNTY, Ohio — Billy Wagner, the patriarch of the infamous Wagner family tied to the 2016 Piketon Massacre, is scheduled to appear in a Waverly courtroom tomorrow, January 24, 2025, for a pretrial conference. The 10 a.m. session, to be held at Pike County Courthouse, marks the latest legal development in a case that has captivated the nation since the tragic murders of eight members of the Rhoden family.
Wagner, who has been housed at Pickaway County Jail as his trial looms, is expected to face continued legal wrangling. His defense team has fought to have the trial relocated out of Pike County, citing concerns over the possibility of bias and the highly publicized nature of the case. However, these motions have yet to succeed, leaving the matter to be addressed further in tomorrow’s proceedings.
The massacre, which saw the brutal execution of the Rhoden family in their homes, remains Ohio’s most shocking crime. Wagner’s son, Jake, and his wife, Angela, have both already begun serving prison sentences. Jake Wagner pleaded guilty to 18 charges, including aggravated murder, admitting to killing five members of the Rhoden family. In exchange for his cooperation with prosecutors, he avoided the death penalty, though he faces up to eight consecutive life sentences. Angela Wagner also accepted a plea deal that resulted in the dismissal of eight aggravated murder charges.
Billy Wagner, however, maintains his innocence, pleading not guilty to charges stemming from the horrific killings. His son, George Wagner IV, is currently serving a life sentence after being convicted in a 2022 trial, though he is appealing the jury’s verdict.
The legal proceedings have been marked by a series of motions and disputes, including a request to disqualify Judge Jonathan Hein, which was denied by the Ohio Supreme Court in December.
The victims of the 2016 massacre, whose deaths remain a haunting chapter in Ohio’s criminal history, are as follows:
- Christopher Rhoden Sr.
- Dana Rhoden
- Clarence “Frankie” Rhoden
- Christopher Rhoden Jr.
- Hanna May Rhoden
- Hannah Gilley
- Gary Rhoden
- Kenneth Rhoden
As Wagner prepares for his day in court, legal observers will be watching closely, as the outcome of tomorrow’s conference could have significant implications for the trajectory of this high-profile case.
nd disputes, including a request to disqualify Judge Jonathan Hein, which was denied by the Ohio Supreme Court in December. Judge Hein, who has presided over the case since its inception, has confirmed that the death penalty will not be sought for any member of the Wagner family.
The victims of the 2016 massacre, whose deaths remain a haunting chapter in Ohio’s criminal history, are as follows:
- Christopher Rhoden Sr.
- Dana Rhoden
- Clarence “Frankie” Rhoden
- Christopher Rhoden Jr.
- Hanna May Rhoden
- Hannah Gilley
- Gary Rhoden
- Kenneth Rhoden
As Wagner prepares for his day in court, legal observers will be watching closely, as the outcome of tomorrow’s conference could have significant implications for the trajectory of this high-profile case.