WAVERLY, Ohio — Three members of the Wagner family were sentenced Friday for their role in the Pike County massacre in 2016.
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Edward “Jake” Wagner, his mother, Angela, and his grandmother, Rita Newcomb, were all sentenced Friday for their part in the 2016 murders of eight members of the Rhoden and Gilley families in Pike County.
Jake pleaded guilty in 2018 to the murders.
In court on Friday, Judge Jonathan Hein decided to throw out the prosecution’s plea deal with Edward “Jake” Wagner and instead provide him an opportunity for parole, our news partners at WCPO reported.
The plea deal Jake entered into with the prosecution was for eight life sentences without the possibility of parole.
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Instead, Hein sentenced him to eight life sentences with the possibility of parole after 32 years.
Newcomb was sentenced to five years probation; Angela Wagner was given 30 years in prison, in line with the plea deal she forged with the prosecution.
Before the sentences were announced, Hein gave the Rhoden and Gilley families the opportunity to address Angela, Jake and Newcomb; after that, each defendant was allowed to make a statement.
Andrea Shoemaker, Hannah Hazel Gilley’s mother, spoke first, often shouting in anger.
“You are the evilest mother, to help plan, carry out and take the lives of three young mothers,” said Shoemaker to Angela. “My daughter was only 20 and you want 30 years behind bars? She was 20. She never even got to try alcohol. She got six months with her son.”
She told Jake and Angela she wanted them all to suffer and that she hates them.
She addressed Newcomb briefly, telling her she felt sorry for the woman but grateful that she’d been the first to confess to the crimes and express feelings of guilt.
“My heart breaks for you to have such an evil, controlling daughter,” Shoemaker said to Newcomb.
Other statements from the family were read by Prosecutor Angela Canepa.
The last person to speak, Lisa Wiesel, the niece of Chris Sr. and Kenneth, said she did so on behalf of the rest of the Rhoden family.
During their statements in court, Newcomb and Angela expressed regret.
Jake spoke to family of the victims.
“I’m not miserable,” said Jake. “I don’t live in misery. I’ve experienced your loss. I’ve experienced your pain.”
Jake ended his speech by telling the victim’s family members he still prays for them and will continue to do so.
“Don’t,” said someone in the gallery.
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