OH v. Billy Wagner
An Ohio Appeals Court reinstated the death penalty for George "Billy" Wagner III on February 10, 2026, in the Pike County massacre case, overturning a previous ruling that had dismissed death penalty specifications. As of February 10, 2026: Wagner's defense team plans to appeal this decision to the Ohio Supreme Court, and his trial, moved out of Pike County due to difficulty seating an unbiased jury, is now expected to begin no earlier than October 2026. Wagner, who pleaded not guilty to 22 charges including eight counts of aggravated murder, made his first court appearance since the death penalty was reinstated, making him the last of his family members to face trial for the 2016 murders of seven Rhoden family members and Hannah Gilley. During a February 9, 2026, pre-trial hearing, plea deals were discussed, and the judge noted the case is "past due" and needs resolution. Rita Newcomb, Angela Wagner's mother, was sentenced to five years of probation on January 3, 2025, for lying to investigators.
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Track this story2026
5 updates
2026
5 updatesBilly 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 ago