Pike County Roden Massacre

***The video above is from a previous report***

WAVERLEE, Ohio (AP) — A jury on Wednesday found a man guilty of murdering eight members of another Ohio family.

George Wagner IV, 31, faces all 22 counts, including eight counts of aggravated murder in the 2016 shooting of seven adults and a teenager in the Roden family in Pike County, Ohio. Convicted. While the verdict was read, Wagner sat still, closing his eyes or looking down.

Prosecutors say the killing, which initially fueled speculation about drug cartel involvement, stems from a dispute over custody of Wagner’s niece. The April 2016 shooting of three of his mobile homes and one of his camper vans near Piketon terrorized residents and launched him in one of the most extensive criminal investigations in the state. did.

Wagner denied knowledge of family involvement He testified that if he had known the plot, he would not have committed the murder.

Prosecutors argued that he should have been convicted of the murder because he knew he had participated in the scheme. He claimed that he was with his brothers and father when he went to , went inside with them, and helped his brothers move the two bodies.

His brother, Edward “Jake” Wagner, pleaded guilty to aggravated murder and other charges and will testify against George and his parents in an arrangement designed to avoid the family’s possible death sentence. agreed.

Their mother, Angela Wagner, pleaded guilty to helping plan the murder. Their father, George “Billy” Wagner III, pleaded not guilty to the murder and is awaiting trial .

The victim was 40-year-old Christopher Rhoden Sr. his ex-wife, 37-year-old Dana Rhoden; Their three children, Clarence “Frankie” Rhoden, 20, Hannah Rhoden, 19, and Christopher Rhoden, 16, his junior. Clarence Rhoden’s fiancée, 20-year-old Hannah Gilly. Kenneth Rhoden, 44, brother of Christopher Rhoden Sr. cousin, 38-year-old Gary Rhoden;

Most were shot repeatedly in the head.

Prosecutors say the Wagner family plotted the murder over months, motivated by a custody dispute over their daughter, Jake Wagner, with Hannah Roden. Authorities said the child was staying with the Wagner family when the killing occurred.

Three other young Roden children at the scene were not injured.

Jake Wagner pleaded guilty to the murder five years ago and apologized in court. .

Prosecutors sentenced Angela Wagner to 30 years in prison.

George Wagner IV’s sentencing date is scheduled for a later date.