News - Billy Wagner's trial resumes: Pike County massacre case moves forward

In one of Ohio's most infamous murder cases, George 'Billy' Wagner III may finally face trial nearly a decade after the horrific massacre of eight people in Pike County. Wagner is scheduled for a court appearance on February 9th, marking his first appearance in the Pike County Common Pleas Court in over a year. At this hearing, the judge is expected to deliberate on pending motions, with crucial discussions set to decide both the venue and commencement date of the trial. Wagner, 54, has been indicted on eight counts of aggravated homicide among 14 related charges, tied to the brutal slaying of the Rhoden family and one soon-to-be family member in April 2016. Witnesses in previous trials revealed that Wagner played a central role in plotting the murders, motivated by unsubstantiated claims of his granddaughter facing abuse under the Rhoden family's care. His sons, along with his wife Angela, were also implicated in this harrowing conspiracy. While initially detained in Butler County, Wagner's transfer to Pickaway County Jail in 2024 seemed to forecast a trial that was already once slated for January 2025. However, procedural complexities have incessantly postponed proceedings, highlighting the depth and intricacy of legal entanglements in this case. Reflecting on recent appellate court decisions, Judge Jonathan Hein's Feb. 9 hearing will particularly address where Wagner's trial will be held, with the likelihood of relocation from Pike County due to the sensitive nature of the case and issues surrounding unbiased jury selection. At stake is also the reinstatement of the death penalty, a legal prerogative recently recovered following an Ohio 4th District Court of Appeals ruling. Wagner's legal team, led by attorney Mark Collins, remains in strategic talks over the death penalty's reintroduction, evaluating possible appeals which could further delay proceedings. The intense public interest and profound emotional scars left by the massacre underscore the significance of the impending trial. In an earlier hearing on January 24, 2025, Wagner had shown a reluctance to entertain plea deals, while logistical issues regarding his hearing capacity were resolved by the judge's assent for auditory assistance devices. As the trial preparations gain momentum amidst renewed judicial focus, the Pike County community and broader state await the unfolding of a legal drama encapsulating a nearly decade-long pursuit of justice in a case that has deeply affected countless lives.