Billy Wagner, son Jake Wagner, appear in court in Pike County's Rhoden massacre case
T-shirts honoring murder victim prompt push for courtroom decorum order
T-shirts honoring murder victim prompt push for courtroom decorum order
T-shirts honoring murder victim prompt push for courtroom decorum order
T-shirts reading, "Happy Heavenly Birthday Chris" on the front and #RhodenStrong on the back prompted Billy Wagner's attorney, Mark Collins, to push for what's called a courtroom decorum order during a hearing Tuesday in Waverly.
"No disrespect to the victims of the loved ones who were lost," Collins said.
Collins wants Pike County Common Pleas Judge Randy Deering to set rules outlining what will and won't be allowed in court when Wagner goes on trial.
The 48-year-old, along with his wife, Angela, and their sons, George and Jake, are accused of killing eight members of the Rhoden family in the middle of the night in April 2016.
Regarding Collins' request for rules governing decorum in court, Pike County Prosecutor Rob Junk said he's not opposed.
"We don't oppose within reason. But we want some input on it," Junk said. "We will indicate to the court that obviously we will have everyone on their best behavior."
Deering took that request and 40 other defense motions under advisement.
Earlier Tuesday, Jake Wagner had a hearing, during which the 27-year-old agreed to waive his right to a speedy trial. Without doing so, Jake Wagner could have gone on trial this coming January.
"He has agreed to waive that right," defense attorney William Mooney said. "That'll be from the effective date of Jan. 31, 2020, through Jan. 31 of 2021."
"You understand all that?" Deering said.
"I do, your honor," Jake Wagner said.
Jake Wagner's parents and his brother had already agreed to blanket waivers of their rights to speedy trials. Even so, it's possible all sides in each individual case could start discussing possible trial dates at the start of next year.