Pike County massacre trial: George Wagner IV found guilty of 22 counts including aggravated murder
The jury in the murder trial of George Wagner IV has reached a verdict Wednesday.
After more than two and a half months of testimony, the jury took less than eight hours to deliberate.
Wagner has been found guilty of all charges including eight counts of aggravated murder.
(You can watch the full verdict reading in the player below.)
Last week, the judge agreed to remove the death penalty in the case.
Prosecutors spent the last two-and-a-half months trying to prove Wagner is guilty of participating in the murder of eight members of the Rhoden family in April 2016.
Prosecutor Andy Wilson told jurors during closing arguments they can reach a guilty verdict even if they don't believe Wagner pulled the trigger.
Wagner was indicted on 22 counts including eight counts of aggravated murder, four counts of aggravated burglary, three counts of tampering with evidence, one count of conspiracy, one count of unlawful possession of dangerous ordinance, one count of forgery, one count of unauthorized use of computer or telecommunications, one count of interception of wire, oral or electronic communications, one count of obstructing justice and one count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity.
Wagner will appear in court for sentencing in the next few weeks. An exact date for the sentencing trial has not been determined.
The judge cautioned jurors about public statements about the case now that the verdict has been read.
Wagner's demeanor in court was described as stoic as the verdict was read aloud in the courtroom.
Members of the Rhoden family could be seen crying and hugging each other after the verdict was announced.
The victims' cousin Tony Rhoden Sr. spoke after the trial, thanking Pike County community members for standing by his family through this tragedy.
Ohio leaders commented on the trial's outcome, praising the work of criminal investigators.
바카라 게임 웹사이트This case was a test of BCI바카라 게임 웹사이트s abilities, and BCI passed it with flying colors,바카라 게임 웹사이트 Yost said. 바카라 게임 웹사이트Today바카라 게임 웹사이트s jury verdict puts the stamp of approval on the bureau바카라 게임 웹사이트s work," Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said. "I am grateful for the untold hours, days and weeks that our investigators and forensic scientists dedicated to this case 바카라 게임 웹사이트 it reinforces the team바카라 게임 웹사이트s dogged determination to secure justice for the victims and their families.바카라 게임 웹사이트
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine held a press conference about the case Wednesday evening. DeWine, who was the State Attorney General at the time of the crime, said he was very satisfied with the outcome of the first trial in this case.
"From the day of the crime, I was convinced we were going to solve these cases," DeWine said. "I believe it's one of the most complicated cases in BCI history and it's a testament to how investigator stuck with it."