George “Billy” Wagner III will stand trial in Seneca County rather than Waverly, Ohio, a judge ruled. The venue change moves the murder case nearly three hours away from where the killings occurred. Wagner, 55, requested the transfer starting in late 2024.
Visiting Pike County Common Pleas Court Judge Jonathan Hein issued the decision. The murder trial is scheduled for Jan. 11, 2027. Multiple legal challenges delayed the proceeding several times.
The judge selected Seneca County for its rural character and available facilities. The location sits away from media markets that covered the case. Hein noted courtroom security resources and the capacity to host lawyers, witnesses and victim representatives.
The Pike County clerk must transfer the official case file to Seneca County. Future filings and court hearings will occur there. Wagner remains held in Pickaway County. The judge deferred his transfer timing to the Pike and Seneca County sheriffs.
Wagner is the alleged mastermind of the massacre. He is the last of four family members to stand trial. He faces 22 charges. The counts include eight charges of aggravated murder with death penalty specifications.
The charges stem from the April 2016 execution-style shooting deaths of eight people. The victims include:
- Christopher Rhoden Sr., 40
- Kenneth Rhoden, 44
- Gary Rhoden, 38
- Dana Lynn Rhoden, 37
- Clarence “Frankie” Rhoden, 20
- Hanna May Rhoden, 19
- Christopher Rhoden Jr., 16
- Hannah Gilley, 20
A Pike County jury convicted his oldest son, George Wagner IV, in fall 2022. The 34-year-old received eight consecutive life sentences without parole, plus 121 years. He is appealing that sentence.
The son’s trial lasted 13 weeks. Jurors heard about 60 witnesses and viewed nearly 5,000 evidence items. Gov. Mike DeWine called it one of the longest trials in Ohio history.
His wife, Angela Wagner, and younger son, Edward “Jake” Wagner, pleaded guilty to their roles. Both agreed to testify. All four family members were declared indigent, leaving taxpayers to fund their legal defense.
The state covers costs to protect the county budget. Officials said investigation and prosecution expenses reached at least $4 million. The case remains Ohio’s largest and most expensive homicide matter.
Three young children survived at the crime scenes. Killers spared a 5-day-old girl, a 6-month-old boy and a 3-year-old boy. Dana Rhoden’s father, Leonard Maney, died in 2021 before the final trials concluded.
Prosecutors stated the killings stemmed from a custody dispute over Jake Wagner’s daughter. Her mother, Hanna May Rhoden, died in the attack. The couple began dating when she was 13 and he was 18.
She gave birth to Sophia in fall 2013. The mother ended the relationship in 2015. Jake Wagner testified he opposed the separation. She had another daughter days before the massacre.
Jake Wagner testified the family waited until after that birth before attacking. Sophia was with Angela Wagner during the shootings. Authorities placed the child in protective custody in November 2018.
Jake Wagner admitted under oath to shooting and killing five victims. He also shot Christopher Rhoden Sr. He testified his brother froze with an SKS rifle, prompting him to fire.
Testimony from Jake and Angela Wagner accused Billy Wagner of shooting five people. Jake Wagner testified his father killed Christopher Rhoden Sr., Gary Rhoden and Kenneth Rhoden. He testified his father also shot Frankie Rhoden and Hannah Hazel Gilley.
A change of venue moves a criminal trial to another jurisdiction. The process aims to secure an impartial jury when local publicity affects fairness. Court officials manage logistics between participating county agencies.
The Seneca County court will oversee all remaining motions ahead of the 2027 trial date.
