Pike County murder trial enters Week 8 of testimony: Watch live

George Wagner IV, wearing a vest, sits next to his attorneys during his Pike County murder trial as it enters Week 6 on Oct. 17, 2022. Wagner faces charges in the execution-style deaths of eight members of the Rhoden family in 2016. COURTNEY FRANCISCO/WCPO

George Wagner IV, wearing a vest, sits next to his attorneys during his Pike County murder trial as it enters Week 6 on Oct. 17, 2022. Wagner faces charges in the execution-style deaths of eight members of the Rhoden family in 2016. COURTNEY FRANCISCO/WCPO
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By Felicia Jordan – WCPO
Oct 31, 2022
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WAVERLY — The eighth week of trial for a man accused of killing eight people in Pike County in 2016 began Monday with a focus on more shoeprint evidence and taped conversations between family members.

George Wagner IV — along with his mother Angela, father George “Billy” Wagner and brother Edward “Jake” Wagner — is accused of shooting and killing the Rhoden family members “execution-style.” The family’s bodies were found on April 22, 2016. He faces eight charges of aggravated murder, along with other charges associated with tampering with evidence, conspiracy and forgery.

Found dead that day were 40-year-old Christopher Rhoden Sr., 37-year-old Dana Rhoden, 20-year-old Hannah “Hazel” Gilley, 16-year-old Christopher Rhoden Jr., 20-year-old Clarence “Frankie” Rhoden, 37-year-old Gary Rhoden, 19-year-old Hanna May Rhoden, and 44-year-old Kenneth Rhoden.

The trial is the first time a person has faced a jury for the deaths of the Rhoden family six years ago.

Previous articles:

Jake Wagner, brother of defendant, finishes testimony

Ohio shooter of 5 family members claims he ‘had no choice’

Ex-wife of Pike County murder trial defendant’s brother testifies about alleged abuse

Trial of George Wagner IV: What has happened so far

Prosecutor Angela Canepa, center, and members of the prosecution and defense teams, talk with Judge Randy Deering during the Pike County, Ohio murder trial of George Wagner IV on Oct. 18, 2022. Wagner is accused of killing eight members of a family in Pike County in 2016. WCPO/CONTRIBUTED

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Bureau of Criminal Investigation Analyst Julia Eveslage is on the stand in the Pike County murder trial of George Wagner IV on Wed., Oct. 12, 2022. CONTRIBUTED

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Pike County Common Pleas Court Judge Randy Deering is seen Sept. 20, 2022 during the trial of George Wagner IV, who is charged with killing eight members of the Rhoden family in Pike Co. in 2016. CONTRIBUTED/WCPO

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U.S. Attorney D. Andrew Wilson holds a bullet during testimony in the murder trial of George Wagner IV, 30, in Pike County Common Pleas Court in Waverly, Ohio, Friday, Sept 16, 2022. Behind Wilson is BCI agent Shane Harshaw. Wagner is charged with 22 counts, eight of them aggravated murder, in connection with the deaths of seven members of Pike County's Rhoden family and one future member on April 21-22, 2016. DORAL CHENOWETH/THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

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George Wagner IV, middle, is seen in court in Pike County on Monday, Sept. 12, 2022. Wagner faces multiple counts in the 2016 murders of eight members of the Rhoden family. LIVE FEED PHOTO/WCPO

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About the Author

Felicia Jordan