Last of 4 suspects pleads not guilty in Ohio family slayings

Last of 4 suspects pleads not guilty in Ohio family slayings | iNFOnews.ca
Edward "Jake" Wagner enters the courtroom for arraignment at the Pike County Courthouse on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018 in Waverly, Ohio. The first of four family members charged with the 2016 shootings of seven adults and a teenager from the Rhoden family has pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder and other charges in the potential death penalty case. Wagner acknowledged the 23 counts against him but said little else. He is being held without bond. (Robert McGraw/The Chillicothe Gazette via AP, Pool) A

WAVERLY, Ohio – A man charged in the slayings of eight people from another family has pleaded not guilty in southern Ohio days after his wife and two adult sons did the same.

Forty-seven-year-old George “Billy” Wagner III acknowledged the 22 counts against him but said little else Tuesday in Pike County court.

The Wagners are charged in the 2016 shootings of seven adults and a teenager from the Rhoden family. An attorney who has represented the Wagners has said they’ll be vindicated.

Billy Wagner was held without bond, as were 26-year-old Edward “Jake” Wagner, 27-year-old George Wagner IV and 48-year-old Angela Wagner.

Their lawyers and authorities involved are prohibited from publicly discussing their cases.

Authorities have suggested a possible motive was a custody dispute over Jake Wagner’s daughter with victim Hanna Rhoden.

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Abbey Westbury

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