Three members of Wagner family sentenced for Pike County massacre

WAVERLY, Ohio (WCMH) – Three members of the Wagner family learned their fate on Friday for their involvement in the Rhoden family massacre. 

Judge Jonathan Hein issued sentences for Angela Wagner, her son Edward “Jake” Wagner and her mother Rita Newcomb, in Pike County Common Pleas Court on Friday morning. The hearing is set to be followed by another during the afternoon for George “Billy” Wagner III, the husband of Angela Wagner, to discuss his upcoming trial. 

Angela Wagner was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Factoring in the about six years she has already served, she will spend a remaining 23-plus years in prison. Upon release, she will be face two to five years of adult supervision and be required to register as a violent offender.

Jake Wagner, who was facing up to eight life sentences, received 32 years in prison. After jailtime credit of nearly six years was assessed he will be eligible for parole after 26 years. He will be required to register as violent offender and a sex offender if released.

Newcomb was sentenced to five years of adult supervision, will pay a $750 fine and could serve 83 days in jail if she breaks rules outlined by the court.

The Wagners’ Friday court appearances mark the first time they have been in the same location on the same day since their 2018 arrests.

All three family members sentenced pleaded guilty to charges connected to the killing of eight members of the Rhoden family, most of whom were shot while they slept. Three young children, including a baby, were found unharmed. Billy Wagner is accused of helping his sons, Jake Wagner and George Wagner IV, kill the family members across four homes on April 22, 2016.

Prosecutors claimed the murders stemmed from a custody dispute over the daughter of Jake Wagner and Hanna May Rhoden, one of the victims. The other victims were Christopher Rhoden Sr., Dana Rhoden, Clarence “Frankie” Rhoden, Christopher Rhoden Jr., Hannah Gilley, Gary Rhoden and Kenneth Rhoden.

Billy Wagner, Angela Wagner, Jake Wagner and George Wagner were arrested in 2018 and faced the death penalty. All originally pleaded not guilty, but Angela Wagner and Jake Wagner switched their pleas to avoid the death penalty.

George Wagner pleaded not guilty and took the case to trial. He was convicted on 22 charges, including eight aggravated murder charges, but the judge dropped the death penalty consideration against him. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Newcomb was accused of forging custody documents related to the case and lying about it to a grand jury and investigators. She pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of obstructing official business.