A few reflections from today’s testimony in #GeorgeWagnerIV’s murder trial.. Wagner’s brother Jake was on the witness stand for a third day. Prosecutor Angela Canepa asked Jake more questions about his ex-wife, Elizabeth Armer (Freeman). 1/2
2/2 I gather the questions were asked to show jurors that Jake had a history of plotting and strategizing. At one pt., Jake said he & Elizabeth were planning a “fake divorce.” But Jake remained suspicious of Elizabeth so he planned to turn the “fake divorce” into a real one.
Jake testified that George was present when members of the Wagner family discussed custody documents that were falsified in a way designed to gain control of the daughter Jake had w/ murder victim Hanna Rhoden. #PikeCountyMassacre
Prosecutor Angela Canepa got Jake to recall hearing George tell him that Jake’s honestly always got the two of them (Jake and George) in trouble.
Ms. Canepa asked Jake if the plan was to kill several Rhoden loved ones & get away w/ it. Jake replied: “Yes.” #WLWT #PikeCountyMassacre
Ms. Canepa asked Jake to describe the prison time he received as part of his plea deal, which - if it unfolds the way Jake hopes - will protect him, George & their parents from the death penalty. Jake said, “Something of the sorts of 8 life sentences.” #PiketoMassacre
Jake said he wanted prosecutors/investigators to record the conversation about his plea agreement for the sake of accuracy & so his co-defendants (family) could hear it, so they “would know the reason I was cooperating.” #WLWT #PikeCountyMassacre
Jake Wagner did say he made another request during his plea deal dialogue. Jake: “If at all possible, I wanted one last family moment” before going to prison.
George Wagner’s attorney John Parker cross-examined Jake Wagner for almost two hours today. He got Jake to say the following things about George w/ regard to the murderous plan targeting members of the Rhoden family.. During his plea convo, Jake said.. 1/2
2/2 “George didn’t like the idea whatsoever.” Jake said George didn’t want him (Jake) to do it, and that “it was a bad idea.” #PikeCountyMassacre #WLWT
Prosecutors have made it a point to mention Jake Wagner’s fascination w/ the TV show #TheWalkingDead. We learned today that Jake told investigators the show had nothing to do with the murders.
Mr. Parker asked Jake how he managed to stay calm (my word) during the #PikeCountyMassacre. Jake said, “I steeled myself w/ resolve throughout my shock.” Interesting way to explain it..
I didn’t know until today that there were barking coonhounds behind victim Frankie Rhoden’s house. How those dogs didn’t wake Frankie or victim Hannah Gilley is beyond me, esp. since Jake Wagner said he “slithered” through an open window close to where the dogs were.
Final reflection tonight.. And I know some other media colleagues are equally puzzled by this.. Today, Jake Wagner said once inside victim Dana Manley Rhoden’s house, he went to Dana’s bedroom and found the door was locked. Jake said he peered under the door and noticed.. 1/2
2/2 .. that Dana was awake in her bed, scrolling on her phone. I’m pretty sure Jake did not mention a “locked door” when explaining to prosecutors how he shot Dana & Hanna May Rhoden. Why this changed during cross, I don’t know. Seems hard to misremember something like this.
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