Prosecutor: Wagners plotted revenge if arrested for murders

Описание: PIKE COUNTY, Ohio (WKRC) - A 76-year-old great-grandmother and her family plotted revenge against law enforcement and others if they were taken into custody for the Rhoden and Gilley murders, prosecutors said Thursday.

The revelation came during an arraignment for Fredericka Wagner, the mother of Billy Wagner. Billy his wife, Angela, and their two sons, George and Jake, face eight counts of aggravated murder with death penalty specifications and other charges in the murders of eight members of the Rhoden and Gilley families. Fredericka faces charges of perjury and obstruction of justice.

Asst. Attorney General Angela Canepa said a confidential informant told them they were with the Wagners at Fredericka’s horse farm when a plot for revenge was discussed. Canepa asked for Fredericka’s bail to be set at $200,000, citing the plot and her access to a large amount of money.

“They were to take revenge on anyone that went against them, including and not limited to Special Agent Shider, Sheriff Reader and Attorney General Mike DeWine,” Canepa said. “There were also discussions about how they would try to make an escape.”

But Fredericka’s attorney, James Owens, said his client had nothing to do with the conversations.

“If we have any faith in our Constitution, she is presumed innocent. Her whole life, her 76 years, have been law-abiding,” Owens said. “The notion that she could be a flight risk or a threat to the community in our view is untenable. We’ve seen no evidence that she’s participated in any of these conversations.”

Judge Randy Deering set Fredericka’s bail at $100,000 and ordered her placed on electronic monitoring if she posts bail.

Rita Newcomb, 65, is Angela Wagner’s mother. She also pleaded not guilty to charges of perjury, forgery and obstruction of justice. Newcomb is accused of forging custody documents related to her great-granddaughter a few weeks before the murders in April 2016. Custody of a little girl Jake Wagner had with Hanna Rhoden is believed to be the motive in the case.

"She’s worked hard during her life. She’s been a school teacher, she’s been an over-the-road truck operator and she’s been teaching school for several years,” said Newcomb’s attorney, Frank Gerlach.

Judge Deering set Newcomb’s bail at $50,000 and ordered her placed on electronic monitoring.

Christopher Rhoden Sr., 40, his ex-wife Dana Manley Rhoden, 37, and their three children, Hanna May Rhoden, 19, Christopher Rhoden Jr., 16, and Clarence "Frankie" Rhoden, 20, were murdered at their homes in Pike County in April 2016. Frankie's fiancée, Hannah "Hazel" Gilley, 20, was also killed, along with the Christopher Sr.'s brother, Kenneth Rhoden, 44, and cousin Gary Rhoden, 38. Three young children were in the homes at the time of the murders and were not hurt.

Family members of the victims were in court Thursday afternoon. They declined comment.

The attorney for Billy, Angela, George and Jake Wagner has said they look forward to being vindicated. All remain in jail without bond and will be arraigned at a later date.