Rest of Prosecution and Defense Case in Pike County Massacre Trial

WAVERLEE, Ohio (WCMH) — Prosecutors and defense lawyers dropped the case Friday in the murder trial of King George Wagner IV.

after hearing Two days testimony from Wagner IV, The jury was directed to return for closing arguments on November 28, the Monday after Thanksgiving. The one-week grace period comes after his 11-week trial centered around Wagner IV’s involvement in the Roden family murders.

On April 22, 2016, eight members of the Roden family were found dead in Pike County. Prosecutors claimed the murder stemmed from a custody battle between one of his victims, Jake Wagner, and Hanna May over her Roden daughter. Other victims were Christopher Rhoden Sr., Dana Rhoden, Clarence “Frankie” Rhoden, Christopher Rhoden Jr., Hannah Gilley, Gary Rhoden, and Kenneth Rhoden.

George “Billy” Wagner III, Angela Wagner, George Wagner IV, and Edward “Jake” Wagner have been charged with murdering eight members of the Roden family. Jake and Angela Wagner plead guilty to murder-related crimes Angela testified against her son to save her from the death penalty.

Both Jake and Angela Wagner implicated Wagner IV in planning, carrying out, and attempting to cover up crimes, but on the stand, Wagner IV denial Knowledge of or involvement in killing.

Instead, Wagner IV claimed that an Ohio Criminal Investigative Service agent revealed his family’s behavior to him, and he spied on the family to help investigators.

Angela pleaded guilty In September 2021, he will be indicted on 14 counts, not including murder, and face 30 years in prison. Jake also pleaded guilty Murder in 2021. During cross-examination at the trial of Wagner IV, Jake told the jury that his brother George was against killing the Roden family and hesitated to pull the trigger.