Chris Rhoden Sr.’s former wife, Dana Lynn Rhoden, 37, and their children: Clarence “Frankie” Rhoden, 20, Hanna May Rhoden, 19, Christopher Rhoden Jr., 16, and Frankie’s fiancé, Hannah “Hazel” Gilley, 20.
Two infants and a toddler were spared by the killers and left behind at the murder scenes: a 5-day-old baby girl, a 6-month-old baby boy and a 3-year-old boy.
Prosecutors said the motive in the murders was the custody of the young daughter of Jake Wagner and one of the victims he confessed to shooting in the head twice, Hanna May Rhoden.
The young couple began dating when she was 13 and he was 18. She became pregnant at 15 with Sophia.
They broke up after their daughter was born.
Wagner IV, his brother Jake Wagner, 28, and their parents Angela Wagner, 52, and Billy Wagner, 51, were all indicted on capital murder charges more than two years after the slayings, in November 2018.
Jake Wagner and Angela Wagner both pleaded guilty to their roles in 2021.
They both took the stand and told the jury George Wagner IV planned, participated and helped cover up the slayings.
Both the state and defense agreed George didn’t shoot or kill anyone, but that’s where the similarities ended.
Prosecutors argued George was complicit in the killings and should be convicted on all charges including eight counts of murder.
He was the first one of the four Wagners to be tried.
George’s father Billy is continuing to fight the charges and will be tried next year.
A new visiting judge will oversee the upcoming trial and all other proceedings involving the Wagners.
On Tuesday, Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy appointed retired Darke County Common Pleas Court Judge Jonathan Hein.
The previous visiting judge recently completely retired due to health reasons, confirms the chief deputy clerk at Pike County Clerk of Courts.
It’s not clear yet if the change in judges at this point will delay the start of Billy Wagner’s trial.
FOX19 NOW reached out to his attorney and will update this story once we hear back.
