Gentleman to be sentenced in murders of 8 from an additional Ohio family

WAVERLY, Ohio (AP) — A gentleman convicted in the killings of 8 people from an additional southern Ohio spouse and children faces the risk of life in jail without having parole when he is sentenced Monday.

The key query is no matter whether 31-12 months-outdated George Wagner IV will get any prospect of parole, and if so, how quickly. A Pike County judge may perhaps hear statements from family of the victims before choosing that.

Wagner denied any understanding of his family’s involvement in the 2016 shootings of 7 older people and a teen from the Rhoden relatives. Prosecutors mentioned most of the victims have been killed as they slept, in some instances subsequent to their extremely younger youngsters, who weren’t wounded.

Authorities alleged Wagner, his brother and their mom and dad plotted the killings amid a dispute over custody of Wagner’s niece, whose mom was amongst those slain.

The April 2016 shootings at three cell houses and a camper in the vicinity of Piketon terrified citizens in that element of rural Ohio and initially prompted speculation about drug cartel involvement. The resulting multimillion-greenback investigation and prosecution is among the the state’s most considerable.

Wagner was convicted on 22 counts, which includes aggravated murder. It’s no longer a loss of life penalty circumstance because his brother made a plea offer to aid all 4 Wagners steer clear of execution and agreed to testify versus the other folks.

Prosecutors say Wagner demonstrates no remorse and really should be imprisoned with no likelihood of parole. They say what he definitely deserves is a demise sentence and that he was spared only due to the fact of his brother’s steps, not his personal.

The prosecution alleged Wagner was with his brother and father when they went to the properties, that he went inside, and that he helped his brother shift two bodies.

Wagner’s attorneys emphasize that he didn’t get rid of anybody and say denying him “a meaningful probability of parole” would be unconstitutional cruel and strange punishment.

They also want a new trial. A hearing on that request is scheduled Monday right before Judge Randy Deering in conjunction with the sentencing.

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Wagner’s attorneys cite two primary explanations in the request. One particular is about the jury obtaining been selected for a opportunity funds scenario even nevertheless prosecutors would at some point dismiss the loss of life penalty requirements. The attorneys also say the court docket hindered their skill to probe the believability of Wagner’s youthful brother, Edward “Jake” Wagner, by denying them entry to notes about conversations concerning Jake and his attorney, despite him testifying about it.

Jake Wagner pleaded responsible to aggravated murder and other rates, admitted responsibility for five of the shootings, and is anticipated to devote the relaxation of his lifestyle in jail.

Angela Wagner pleaded guilty to encouraging to program the slayings, and prosecutors recommended a 30-year sentence for her.

Her partner, George “Billy” Wagner III, pleaded not responsible in the killings and awaits demo.

The victims had been 40-12 months-old Christopher Rhoden Sr. his ex-spouse, 37-calendar year-outdated Dana Rhoden their a few young children, 20-yr-old Clarence “Frankie” Rhoden, 19-yr-previous Hanna Rhoden, and 16-12 months-previous Christopher Jr. Clarence Rhoden’s fiancee, 20-year-outdated Hannah Gilley Christopher Rhoden Sr.’s brother, 44-12 months-old Kenneth Rhoden and a cousin, 38-12 months-previous Gary Rhoden.