WATCH LIVE: Pike County murder trial, testimony continues
The conclusion to the first week of testimony in the Pike County murder trial of George Wagner IV begins Friday morning. George Wagner IV along with his mother Angela, father George "Billy" Wagner and brother Edward "Jake" Wagner is accused of shooting and killing the Rhoden family members "execution-style." The family's bodies were found on April 22, 2016. He faces eight charges of aggravated murder, along with other charges associated with tampering with evidence, conspiracy and forgery.WATCH LIVE: Testimony continues in the Pike County murder trial. NOTE: Camera and audio may occasionally drop during the stream. Per judge's order, witnesses may opt out of being recorded during this trial.Found dead that day were 40-year-old Christopher Rhoden Sr., 37-year-old Dana Rhoden, 20-year-old Hannah "Hazel" Gilley, 16-year-old Christopher Rhoden Jr., 20-year-old Clarence "Frankie" Rhoden, 37-year-old Gary Rhoden, 19-year-old Hanna May Rhoden, and 44-year-old Kenneth Rhoden.The trial is the first time a person has faced a jury for the deaths of the Rhoden family six years ago.Friday marks the fifth day of testimony, ending the first week of the trial. Throughout the week, jurors heard from first responders who described grisly scenes discovered on the morning of April 22, 2016 and family members described discovering their loved ones shot to death in their beds. Opening statements happened on Sept. 12. Starting Tuesday, testimonies began focused on the crime scenes surrounding the home of Chris Sr. Rhoden and his cousin Gary Rhoden, and on to the property next door, where Frankie and Hannah Hazel Gilley were found dead. Attention pivoted on Wednesday to Dana Rhoden's home, up the road from the other two, on Union Hill Road. In her trailer, Dana's brother discovered her dead and fled the trailer to flag down law enforcement on their way to the other two crime scenes. Ultimately, the bodies of Chris Jr., who was 16-years-old when he was killed, and Hanna May were also discovered inside the home. A days-old baby was found near Hanna May's body, and she appeared to have been nursing when she was killed. Thursday's testimony focused on the eighth crime scene, where the final Rhoden family member was found. Kenneth Rhoden, Chris Sr.'s brother, was discovered inside his camper by his cousin and his son. Both testified on Thursday. RELATED: Testimony centers on Kenneth Rhoden, final victim discoveredRELATED: Emergency responders testify about chaotic scenesRELATED: Witnesses describe discovering their family members' bodiesRELATED: Opening statements detail grisly moments in the six-year-old murder caseRELATED: Read a full timeline of the Pike County murder investigationRELATED: Who is George Wagner IV?
Friday, September 16, 2022 at 1:18 pm