George Wagner hears his mother's voice in court Thursday for the first time since his arrest
OH investigators interviewed Angela Wagner about the 2016 Pike County massacre
OH investigators interviewed Angela Wagner about the 2016 Pike County massacre
OH investigators interviewed Angela Wagner about the 2016 Pike County massacre
When eight members of the Rhoden family were shot and killed during a single night in 2016, Angela Wagner said she was upset and devastated.
She said her son Jake felt the same.
"What was Jake's response?" asked Rick Ward, a special agent with the Ohio Bureau of Investigation.
"Jake was devastated," Angela Wagner said "He was crying."
Four years later, both Angela and Jake Wagner confessed to their roles in the crimes. Their confession came after BCI agents traveled to Sweetgrass, Montana to interview both Wagners, along with Angela's husband Billy and their other son, George, who's now on trial for murder.
"I've got nothing to hide," Angela Wagner told investigators.
Agents intercepted the Wagners while they were driving back from a house-hunting trip in Alaska.
Initially, Angela Wagner spoke in a calm and steady voice. But that started to change when agents described having evidence they said linked all four Wagners to the homicides, including a Walmart receipt showing that Angela bought shoes BCI agents said were worn at the crime scenes.
More damning evidence involved spent shell casings that agents said connected the Wagner's home in Peebles to locations on Union Hill Rd. where multiple people were killed.
"There's no way," Angela Wagner said.
"Angela, it's an identical match," BCI Special Agent Jennifer Comisford said.
"There's no way that they were 바카라 게임 웹사이트 there's no way," Angela Wagner said.
"Angela, there's the report," Comisford said.
"OK, I'm telling you there is no way," Angela Wagner said.
Chris Newcomb, Angela Wagner's half-brother, testified Thursday afternoon, after jurors heard the interview recorded in Montana. Newcomb believed what his sister told investigators, which left him stunned when he learned of the confessions.
"Enraged," Chris Newcomb said. "If I'd had Jake in front of me at the time I'd a probably beat him to an inch of his life. Something like that should have never been done, ever. That is as a monstrous act, in my opinion."
During cross-examination, Newcomb told defense attorney John Parker that George Wagner is like the brother he always wanted. Newcomb was far less kind when he talked about his sister, as well Billy and Jake Wagner.