A man convicted in the killings of eight people from another Ohio family is seeking a new trial.
George Wagner IV made the request in a filing Monday with the Ohio Court of Appeals. He claims there were several errors during his 2022 trial in which he was found guilty of all 22 counts he faced, including eight counts of aggravated murder. He argues in his filing that there’s “a reasonable probability that jurors were swayed” by the alleged errors.
Prosecutors now have to 60 days to respond to the petition.
Wagner was sentenced to eight consecutive life sentences — one for each victim — and another 121 years for other offenses. Among the alleged errors he cites in his appeal are that prosecutors were allowed to present evidence about crimes and guns not tied to the Rhoden killings, which only served to connect Wagner to criminal acts of his family.
“It is impossible to say beyond a reasonable doubt that jurors did not lose their way and convict George because they thought he was just like his criminal family members,” the appeal argues.
Prosecutors have said the slayings, which initially spurred speculation about drug cartel involvement, stemmed from a dispute over custody of Wagner’s niece. The fatal shootings at three mobile homes and a camper near Piketon in April 2016 terrified residents and launched one of the state’s most extensive criminal investigations.
Wagner denied any knowledge of his family’s involvement in the killings and testified that he wouldn’t have let it happen if he had known of the plans.
Prosecutors argued that he did know, participated in the plans and should therefore be convicted in the killings. Though he wasn’t accused of shooting anyone, they said Wagner was with his brother and father when they went to the homes, that he went inside with them and that he helped his brother move two bodies.
His younger brother, Edward “Jake” Wagner, pleaded guilty to aggravated murder and other charges and agreed to testify against George and their parents in a deal to help the family avoid potential death sentences.
Their mother, Angela Wagner, pleaded guilty to helping to plan the slayings. Their father, George “Billy” Wagner III, has pleaded not guilty in the killings, and his trial is scheduled to start Jan. 6.
A convicted man from Ohio is seeking a new trial for the killings of eight individuals in what has been described as one of the most gruesome and shocking crimes in the state’s history. The man, who comes from a well-known Ohio family, was convicted in 2016 for the murders of eight people, including his own family members.
The case dates back to April 2016, when the bodies of eight individuals were found in four separate locations in rural Ohio. The victims included seven adults and a teenage boy, all of whom had been shot to death. The killings sent shockwaves through the community and left many wondering what could have motivated such a heinous crime.
The man was arrested and charged with the murders shortly after the bodies were discovered. He was ultimately convicted and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. However, his legal team is now seeking a new trial, arguing that there were errors in the original trial that may have affected the outcome.
One of the key arguments being made by the man’s legal team is that crucial evidence was not properly presented during the trial. They claim that certain pieces of evidence that could have potentially exonerated their client were not brought to light, and that this may have influenced the jury’s decision.
Additionally, they are also arguing that there were issues with the way the investigation was conducted, including allegations of misconduct by law enforcement officials. They believe that these issues may have tainted the evidence and led to an unfair trial for their client.
The case has garnered national attention due to the shocking nature of the crimes and the high-profile status of the man’s family. Many are closely following the developments in the case and waiting to see if a new trial will be granted.
It remains to be seen whether the man will be granted a new trial, but one thing is certain – this case has left a lasting impact on the community and has raised important questions about the criminal justice system and the rights of those accused of serious crimes. As the legal proceedings continue, many are left wondering what truly happened on that fateful day in rural Ohio and whether justice will ultimately be served.
