An Ohio man pleaded guilty Thursday to the murders of his son’s mother and seven family members in 2016, a gruesome crime that spread terror in his rural community and sparked rumors from drug traffickers and hitmen, before authorities concluded that It was due to a dispute over custody of the minor, reported CBS News .
On the fifth anniversary of the murders, Edward “Jake” Wagner pleaded guilty to 23 charges in Pike County, Southern Ohio, in a settlement with prosecutors that avoids it be sentenced to death. The massacre occurred on 22 April 2016. Members of the Rhoden family were executed in four different homes on a ranch in Pike County.
Wagner agreed to cooperate in the cases against his parents and his brother , who also are accused of the murders of seven adults and one adolescent by the Rhoden family.
“I am guilty, Your Honor,” Wagner calmly told the judge over and over again, as Judge Randy Deering read each count aloud.
The crimes included eight of aggravated murder, as well as conspiracy, aggravated robbery, tampering with evidence, illegal sexual conduct with a minor and other charges.
On the 5-year anniversary of Ohio’s’ most complex homicide case, ‘Jake Wagner pleads guilty in the Pike County execution-style massacre.
Team coverage NOW on @ FOX 19 . @ Fox 20 _ Mike @ Fox 16 Riva @ FOX 19 Tricia https://t.co/0juXSujhzx pic.twitter.com/9FJxPEp5W9
– Trevor Peters (@TrevorPetersTV ) April 22, 2021
Wagner admitted that he was personally responsible for five of the deaths, said special counsel Angela Canepa. She gave prosecutors a full account of what happened that morning, along with information that led them to obtain Additional tests. The prosecutor did not say what that evidence was.
“I am guilty, Your Honor,” Wagner calmly told the judge over and over again, while Judge Randy Deering read each count aloud. The charges included eight counts of aggravated murder, as well as counts of conspiracy, aggravated robbery, tampering with evidence, unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, and other counts.
Wagner, of 28 years, said in court that he is “deeply sorry.” He was not immediately sentenced, but his lawyers said that he understands that he faces a life behind bars .
Jake Wagner is pleading guilty to the Pike County Murders on the fifth anniversary.
Proud of the BCI investigative team that doggedly worked this difficult case.
Watch the hearing live: https://t.co/AVaVdZIybE
– Attorney General Dave Yost (@ Yost4Ohio) April 22, 2021
“He knows that he is going to die in prison without any judicial release. As horrible as this is for everyone, he regrets it as much as it could be, ”defense attorney Gregory Meyers told the judge.
April murders 2016, in three trailers and a caravan near Piketon, terrorized residents of the surrounding rural community and sparked one of the longest criminal investigations in state history . Authorities took more than two years to announce the arrests.
George Billy Wagner III, Angela Wagner and their son George Billy Wagner IV have pleaded not guilty.
The victims were Christopher Rhoden Sr, of 40 years; his ex-wife, Dana Rhoden, aged 37 years; her three children, Clarence “Frankie” Rhoden, from 20 years, Christopher Jr., from 16, and Hanna, from 19, the mother of Jake Wagner’s son; Clarence Rhoden’s fiancee Hannah Gilley from 20 years; Christopher Rhoden Sr.’s brother, Kenneth Rhoden, aged 44 years old; and a cousin, Gary Rhoden, aged 38 years old.
Prosecutors alleged that the Wagner family planned the murders for months, motivated by a custody dispute .
According to Canepa, Jake Wagner tried to convince Hanna Rhoden to agree to share custody of her daughter and she refused. Wagner was able to access two Facebook accounts and found a post from Hanna saying she would never agree to those terms.
Most of the victims were repeatedly shot in the head and some showed signs of bruising. Three young children in the scenes, including Jake Wagner’s son, were unharmed.
According to Canepa, the bullet casings found at the Wagner home matched those found at the crime scenes. Investigators also found a shoe the same size and tread that matched a shoe print found at the scene.
A relative, Tony Rhoden Sr., sued the suspects, saying he wanted to make sure none of them profited financially from the killings.
One of their attorneys, Brian K. Duncan, said by email that the family “is grateful for today’s outcome as it provides at least a semblance of justice in this day that coincides with the fifth anniversary of these tragic events ”.