Pike County massacre: Wagner family trials
Jake Wagner agreed to testify against his father, George "Billy" Wagner III, on March 31, 2026, in a plea deal related to the 2016 Pike County massacre. As of March 31, 2026, Billy Wagner's trial, tentatively scheduled for October 2026 and moved out of Pike County, faces the reinstated possibility of the death penalty. Jake Wagner previously pleaded guilty to aggravated murder on February 13, 2026, receiving life with parole after 32 years, while Angela Wagner received 30 years and George Wagner IV received life without parole for their roles in the murders of eight Rhoden family members and Hannah Gilley. An Ohio Appeals Court reinstated the death penalty possibility for Billy Wagner on February 10, 2026, a decision his defense plans to appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court.
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Track this story2026
7 updates
2026
7 updatesJake Wagner has agreed to testify against his father, George "Billy" Wagner III, as part of a plea deal. This development comes as Billy Wagner's trial, which has been moved out of Pike County and is tentatively scheduled for October, faces the possibility of the death penalty being reinstated.
Edward "Jake" Wagner pleaded guilty to aggravated murder and was sentenced to life with parole after 32 years, while Angela Wagner received 30 years for conspiracy to commit aggravated murder, and George Wagner IV was sentenced to life without parole after being found guilty of eight counts of aggravated murder. Billy Wagner's trial for the 2016 Pike County massacre is now scheduled for March 2026.
Billy Wagner made his first court appearance since the death penalty was reinstated in his Pike County massacre case. He is the last of his family members to face trial for the 2016 murders of seven Rhoden family members and Hannah Gilley.
An Ohio Appeals Court has overturned a previous ruling, reinstating the possibility of the death penalty for George "Billy" Wagner III in the Pike County massacre case. His defense team intends to appeal this decision to the Ohio Supreme Court. This development follows arguments in court regarding the death penalty specifications.
via youtube.com
George "Billy" Wagner III's trial in the 2016 Pike County massacre is now expected to begin no earlier than October 2026. A judge ruled on February 9, 2026, to move the trial out of Pike County due to the difficulty of seating an unbiased jury. Plea deals were also discussed during a pre-trial hearing.
via scioto-valley-guardian.com·whiotv.com·10tv.com·wlwt.com·nbc4i.com
George "Billy" Wagner III returned to court on February 9, 2026, for a pre-trial hearing where plea deals were discussed, and attorneys debated whether he should face the death penalty. The judge noted the case is "past due" and needs resolution.
George Billy Wagner III, the central figure in the 2016 Piketon Massacre, is scheduled to appear in court on February 9, 2026. He has been held since his November 2018 indictment and has pleaded not guilty to 22 charges, including eight counts of aggravated murder. A trial date and location are still pending.
via youtube.com
2025
2 updates
2025
2 updatesA pre-trial hearing was held on April 25, 2025, for George "Billy" Wagner concerning the Pike County massacre. The defense filed a motion for a change of venue, which the state opposed. The prosecution also has pending appeals regarding the dismissal of death penalty specifications and the change of venue.
Rita Newcomb, Angela Wagner's mother, is sentenced to five years of probation for lying to investigators.
via sciotovalleyguardian.com·en.wikipedia.org·wosu.org·cbsnews.com·courttv.com
2024
2 updates
2024
2 updatesAn Ohio judge has granted a defense request to move George 'Billy' Wagner III's trial out of Pike County. The judge cited pretrial publicity as the reason for the change of venue. Wagner is accused in the 2016 massacre of eight members of the Rhoden family.
via courttv.com
George "Billy" Wagner III will not face the death penalty if convicted in the Pike County massacre. A judge dismissed the death penalty specifications due to missed deadlines for an agreement between prosecutors and Wagner's lawyers. Additionally, the judge ruled that Wagner's trial will not be held in Pike County because of extensive pre-trial publicity.
2019
1 update
2019
1 updateCharges against Fredericka Wagner, Billy Wagner's mother, are dropped.
via sciotovalleyguardian.com·en.wikipedia.org·wosu.org·cbsnews.com·courttv.com
2016
Story began · 10 years, 1 mo ago