Edward “Jake” Wagner pleaded responsible to eight counts of aggravated homicide within the slayings of eight members of the Rhoden household 5 years in the past.5 years to the day after eight members of the Rhoden household had been discovered useless in 2016, 28-year-old Jake Wagner appeared in a Pike County courtroom Thursday, taking a plea deal. “I’m responsible, your honor,” Wagner calmly informed the decide time and again, as Choose Randy Deering learn every depend aloud. The fees included eight counts of aggravated homicide, in addition to fees of conspiracy, aggravated housebreaking, tampering with proof, illegal sexual conduct with a minor and different counts. In trade, prosecutors will drop the potential for the loss of life penalty.Eight members of the Rhoden household — seven adults and a teenage boy — had been shot execution-style at 4 properties close to Piketon, about 90 miles east of Cincinnati in rural Ohio, on April 21 and 22, 2016.Christopher Rhoden Sr., 40; Clarence “Frankie” Rhoden, 20; Dana Lynn Rhoden, 37; Gary Rhoden, 38; Hanna Could Rhoden, 19; Hannah Gilley, 20; Kenneth Rhoden, 44; and Christopher Rhoden Jr., 16, had been shot and killed.Wagner admitted he was personally chargeable for 5 of the deaths, particular prosecutor Angela Canepa mentioned. He gave prosecutors a full account of what occurred that morning, together with info that led to them to further proof. She didn’t say what that proof was.The 2016 killings went with out a break within the case for months. For 2 years, rumor after rumor circulated as to who the killers had been as the biggest felony investigation in Ohio’s historical past unfolded.The killings terrified native residents and spawned rumors that it was a drug hit. Authorities mentioned marijuana rising operations had been discovered at three of the 4 crime scenes. Whereas that’s not unusual on this space, it stoked rumors that the slayings had been drug-related.Lastly, in November 2018, 4 members of the Wagner household, a distinguished Pike County clan, had been arrested and charged with the murders.Along with Jake Wagner, others charged within the case embody George “Billy” Wagner III; Angela Wagner; and George Wagner IV.The Wagner household lived in Peebles, Ohio, on the time of the killings however later moved to Alaska, returning within the spring.Among the many victims had been Jake Wagner’s longtime former girlfriend, 19-year-old Hanna Rhoden, who shared custody of their daughter, her mother and father, siblings and different kin. Rhoden had been in mattress along with her new child when she was killed. The infant wasn’t damage.A coroner mentioned all however one of many victims was shot greater than as soon as, together with two individuals shot 5 instances and one shot 9 instances. Some additionally had bruising, in keeping with the primary 911 caller’s description of two victims showing to have been crushed.The Related Press contributed to this report.
Edward “Jake” Wagner pleaded responsible to eight counts of aggravated homicide within the slayings of eight members of the Rhoden household 5 years in the past.
5 years to the day after eight members of the Rhoden household had been discovered useless in 2016, 28-year-old Jake Wagner appeared in a Pike County courtroom Thursday, taking a plea deal.
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“I’m responsible, your honor,” Wagner calmly informed the decide time and again, as Choose Randy Deering learn every depend aloud. The fees included eight counts of aggravated homicide, in addition to fees of conspiracy, aggravated housebreaking, tampering with proof, illegal sexual conduct with a minor and different counts.
In trade, prosecutors will drop the potential for the loss of life penalty.
Eight members of the Rhoden household — seven adults and a teenage boy — had been shot execution-style at 4 properties close to Piketon, about 90 miles east of Cincinnati in rural Ohio, on April 21 and 22, 2016.
Christopher Rhoden Sr., 40; Clarence “Frankie” Rhoden, 20; Dana Lynn Rhoden, 37; Gary Rhoden, 38; Hanna Could Rhoden, 19; Hannah Gilley, 20; Kenneth Rhoden, 44; and Christopher Rhoden Jr., 16, had been shot and killed.
Wagner admitted he was personally chargeable for 5 of the deaths, particular prosecutor Angela Canepa mentioned. He gave prosecutors a full account of what occurred that morning, together with info that led to them to further proof. She didn’t say what that proof was.
The 2016 killings went with out a break within the case for months. For 2 years, rumor after rumor circulated as to who the killers had been as the biggest felony investigation in Ohio’s historical past unfolded.
The killings terrified native residents and spawned rumors that it was a drug hit. Authorities mentioned marijuana rising operations had been discovered at three of the 4 crime scenes. Whereas that’s not unusual on this space, it stoked rumors that the slayings had been drug-related.
Lastly, in November 2018, 4 members of the Wagner household, a distinguished Pike County clan, had been arrested and charged with the murders.
Along with Jake Wagner, others charged within the case embody George “Billy” Wagner III; Angela Wagner; and George Wagner IV.
The Wagner household lived in Peebles, Ohio, on the time of the killings however later moved to Alaska, returning within the spring.
Among the many victims had been Jake Wagner’s longtime former girlfriend, 19-year-old Hanna Rhoden, who shared custody of their daughter, her mother and father, siblings and different kin. Rhoden had been in mattress along with her new child when she was killed. The infant wasn’t damage.
A coroner mentioned all however one of many victims was shot greater than as soon as, together with two individuals shot 5 instances and one shot 9 instances. Some additionally had bruising, in keeping with the primary 911 caller’s description of two victims showing to have been crushed.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
