Four members of the Wagner family will appear in Ohio court for the first time after their arrests for allegedly killing eight people in Pike County.
- Edward "Jake" Wagner, 26, is set to appear at 9 a.m. Nov. 27.
- His brother George Wagner IV, 27, has an arraignment at 10 a.m. Nov. 28.
- His mother Angela Wagner, 48, has a hearing at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 29.
- And his father George "Billy" Wagner, 47, has a hearing at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 4.
All arraignments will be held at Pike County Court of Common Pleas before Judge Randy Deering. At each arraignment, the defendant will enter a plea to the charges, and the judge will set bail.
The Wagners are accused of killing Christopher Rhoden Sr., 40; his older brother, Kenneth Rhoden, 44; Christopher's former wife, Dana Manley Rhoden, 38; their three children, Clarence "Frankie" Rhoden, 20; Hanna Rhoden, 19, and Chris Rhoden, Jr., 16; and a cousin Gary Rhoden, 38, and Hannah Gilley, 20, in their homes on April 22, 2016. Most were asleep while the Wagners allegedly executed a meticulously planned attack to wipe out the family.
If convicted of the murders, the Wagners could face the death penalty.
Rita Newcomb and Fredericka Wagner, who are accused of assisting with covering up the Rhoden killings, have already appeared in court for their first hearings. Newcomb is Angela Wagner's mother and Wagner is Billy Wagner's mother. Newcomb and Fredericka Wagner were released after posting bail.
