News Picture Story - First Place, “Wagner Trial”George Wagner IV glances to the camera as he sits with Defense Attorney John P. Parker during week 8 of his trial at the Pike County Courthouse in Waverly, Ohio. Wagner IV and three other members of his family are being prosecuted for the murders of eight members of the Rhoden family. The Rhodens were found shot to death at four different locations on April 21-22, 2016. George’s mother Angela and his brother Jake have confessed to their role in the murders, his father will go to trial in 2023. (Brooke LaValley / The Columbus Dispatch)
News Picture Story - First Place, “Wagner Trial”Judge Randy Deering listens to Special Prosecutor Andrew D. Wilson during the trial of George Washington Wagner IV in Pike County Common Pleas Court in Waverly, Ohio. Wagner IV and three other member of his family are being prosecuted for the murders of eight members of the Rhoden family. The Rhodens were found shot to death at four different locations on April 21-22, 2016. The Rhoden family were killed in what is being thought of as a custody dispute over two-year-old girl. (Brooke LaValley / The Columbus Dispatch)
News Picture Story - First Place, “Wagner Trial”Former Bureau of Criminal Investigation for the State of Ohio agent Bryan White holds a bullet casing found at 3122 Union Hill Road. 3122 is currently being referred to as Crime Scene 3, it was the home of Dana Manley-Rhoden, Chris Rhoden Jr. and Hanna May Rhoden, three of the eight members of the Rhoden family who were killed on the evening of April 21 through the early hours of April 22, 2016. (Brooke LaValley / The Columbus Dispatch)
News Picture Story - First Place, “Wagner Trial”Corey Holdren, former boyfriend of Hanna Mae Rhoden, cries while testifying in the trial of George Wagner IV. Holdren had expected to stay with Hanna Rhoden the night she was killed, but went home to help a family member with an emergency home repair. (Brooke LaValley / The Columbus Dispatch)
News Picture Story - First Place, “Wagner Trial”Special Prosecutor D. Andrew Wilson rubs his forehead as Special Prosecutor Angela Canepa questions George Wagner IV. The trial continued for over ten weeks. (Brooke LaValley / The Columbus Dispatch)
News Picture Story - First Place, “Wagner Trial”Members of the Rhoden family watch Edward "Jake" Wagner testify, brother of George Wagner IV. Because of a unique clause placed in the trial by Judge Deering, witnesses were able to opt-out of being photographed during the trial. (Brooke LaValley / The Columbus Dispatch)
News Picture Story - First Place, “Wagner Trial”George Wagner IV (center) stands next to attorneys John P. Parker and Richard M. Nash while he receives his sentence from Judge Randy Deering, Members of the Rhoden family sit in the foreground. Wagner was found guilty on 22 counts and sentenced to life without parole for his role in the 2016 Pike County massacre. Wagner was indicted on 22 counts including eight counts of aggravated murder. (Brooke LaValley / The Columbus Dispatch)
News Picture Story - First Place, “Wagner Trial”Tony Rhoden Sr., brother of Gary Rhoden and Christopher Rhoden who were both murdered by members of the Wagner family, speaks to the press following the reading of the verdict for George Wagner IV. (Brooke LaValley / The Columbus Dispatch)
News Picture Story - First Place, “Wagner Trial”Pike County Prosecuting Investigator Rob Junk becomes emotional during a press conference at the Pike County Government Center after the verdict for George Wagner IV was issued. The trial, which lasted over two and a half months, brought national attention to the small county in Southern Ohio. (Brooke LaValley / The Columbus Dispatch)
News Picture Story - First Place, “Wagner Trial”Special Prosecutor Angela Canepa shares a moment with Geneva Rhoden, mother of Gary and Chris Rhoden, following a press conference at the Pike County Government Center after the verdict for George Wagner IV was issued. Canepa played an integral role from the beginning of the investigation, the morning members of the Rhoden family were found in their homes in April of 2016. (Brooke LaValley / The Columbus Dispatch)
