James Pilcher
@jamespilcher
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Reporter with @local12 , indiscriminate music addict/beer maker/proud dad & hubby
Cincinnati, OH
Joined September 2008
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Exclusive:
@SenSherrodBrown
endorses federal legalization of marijuana for first time. Full story coming later but here's the soundbite.
@Local12
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A living breathing shell game.
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Good morning from Pike Co. - Jake Wagner is here in the courthouse and we're expecting him to testify against his brother George in the murder trial here. Do not yet know if he is opting in for video yet - stay tuned.
@local12
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I am incredibly excited to announce that starting Monday, I will be an on-air general assignment reporter for
@Local12
It will be quite an adventure and a steep learning curve, but I’m so ready to get back to work ...
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Afternoon session from Jake Wagner's testimony against his brother George Wagner IV's in George's murder trial. We've gotten through the events leading up to the murders and then the first murder site of Chris Rhoden Sr. and his cousin Gary Rhoden.
@local12
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Spent a lot of time with these folks over the last three months and made some good friends.
@local12
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Thanks to all of you who followed along for the Wagner trial throughout. I will be doing another story from here in Waverly today and then heading home.
@local12
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Here he is coming into the courthouse credit pool photographer Liz Dufour of Cincinnati Enquirer
@Local12
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George Wagner IV sentencing is set for 10 am December 19. Hit the docket late yesterday. Victims’ families will give their statements then.
@local12
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Good morning from Pike Co. murder trial. We're getting defense witnesses first due to scheduling issues. First up is Andrew Carson, who called Jake Wagner morning of the murders. Friend of both brothers. He's opted out of video.
@local12
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Second morning thread from a very eventful day at the George Wagner IV murder trial in Pike Co. Jake Wagner was supposed to resume testifying but there has been development by way of media rules and opting in etc. On recess until 1 p.m.
@local12
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Starting new thread for testimony in Wagner murder trial in Pike County. Also just learned appeals court ruled in media's favor allowing us to photograph and video any exhibit or evidence shown in court. It's up to us whether to publish or broadcast. Thanks
@jackcgreiner
@local12
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Quick morning thread for Jake Wagner testimony against his brother George Wagner IV here in Pike Co massacre case. We're on 15 minute break.
@local12
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.
@BarryLarkin
just told me he negotiated with
@PeteRose_14
Bench Morgan where he would hit Big Red machine lineup 7th is what they said
#asg
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That's as far as we've gotten thus far. The Wagners are about to walk to Frankie Rhoden's trailer. The entire family knew the plan - Angela Wagner was supposed to browse Facebook on Jake's phone left behind at home to make it appear he was still at Petersen Road.
@local12
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Headed back up for the rest of testimony - remember no phones or anything in courtroom
@local12
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Other key points - Jake looked at George several times, but the older brother kept his eyes down most of the time at the defense table. Jake said he destroyed two guns while trying to make silencers out of flashlights - eventually settled on oil filters.
@local12
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Reminder no court today in Pike Co murder trial. Here’s what some of media pool looks like
@chrisgraves
@pattinewberry
@ToddDykesWLWT
myself and
@DerekMyers
in background photo by
@ldufour
@Local12
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We haven't gotten to the actual day of the killings. Jake appears composed. Early on he is asked if he loved his brother "yes" does his brother love him "yes" and that he wished more than anything that George could go home
@local12
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Starting a thread recapping late afternoon for George Wagner IV trial - where his younger brother Jake testified against him
@local12
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On a 15 minute break. Jake testified that George helped build the fake bottom for the truck bed, and tagged along and was dressed with ski mask gloves and the shoes his mother bought just like he was.
@local12
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Good morning from Pike Co. where the surprises never cease. Angela Wagner is here and will probably testify after they finish with BCI's Matt White. Angela is the mother who pleaded guilty to conspiracy and other charges and at least 30 years in prison
@local12
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@nancyffisher
@Local12
Not for at least a few days - up to the court recorder I'm asking that question today.
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Good morning - waiting on the jury to reach a verdict in the Wagner murder trial in Pike County. I'll have a live update at noon on
@local12
Jury arrived at 8:30 and has taken a break. Been at it for two hours plus so far. We'll also break in with live coverage when it hits.
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Highlights from the end of defense cross examination of Angela Wagner, mother of defendant George Wagner IV in the Pike County massacre case
@local12
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Jake testified that it was father's idea initially to kill the Rhodens. He disagreed saying Hanna was the mother of his daughter and that he still loved her. But he expressed concern over possible abuse of Sophia to Hanna, and she said "we'll just have to deal with it"
@local12
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@Local12
Scioto Valley Guardian editor
@DerekMyers
filed an appeal over those media orders in general and this morning the 4th district court of appeals unanimously overturned the rules. Three judge panel ruled there needs to be hearing if any restrictions are to be put in place.
@local12
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Good afternoon from Pike Co. massacre murder trial. Quick lunchtime thread on continuing testimony from Jake Wagner, the younger brother of defendant George Wagner IV.
@local12
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Quick recap of morning in George Wagner IV trial in Pike Co. Was in courtroom all morning with no phone. Judge ruled Jake could continue to opt out in morning hearing. Later the appeals court clarified its ruling from yesterday, saying people could continue to opt out
@local12
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Jake said his father Billy was part of group called "super truckers" who took pills to stay awake and drive for days and violate rest rules. Says it made Billy "irrational ... more angry ... more ready for violence."
@local12
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Good morning from Pike Co. End of Week 8 for the Pike Co. massacre trial for George Wagner IV. First up is evidentiary hearing with no jury at 9 a.m. Going over what can be used in wiretaps. Then BCI's Ryan Scheiderer and Julia Eveslage on the stand - both on camera
@local12
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Good morning from the Pike County trial - start of Week 8 of testimony. First up is the outside forensic expert Bill Bodziak, called the godfather of shoe print analysis. He is opting in for video so I'll be live tweeting from the media room today.
@local12
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The plan was for Billy Wagner to lure Chris Sr. outside to the grow shed, and shoot him when they walked back. But George froze while carrying the SKS rifle. Billy went inside with Chris and Gary. When Chris came back to door, Jake shot him multiple times with SKS
@local12
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Back in Pike County for first court appearance for Billy Wagner in nearly a year and almost a month after son George sentenced to life in prison for 2016 murders of 8
@Local12
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Just back for lunch break - they are breaking until 12:30. So far, prosecutor Canepa is running through the initial background and we've gotten up to the point when at least Jake and his father decide to kill the Rhodens. He walked through the silencer purchases etc.
@local12
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Jake says that "was the tipping point for me" - he told his father "we have to do it." This was early 2016 and preparations began. His job was to get firearms with silencers and a separate vehicle. No mention of George yet - but he was there when he bought the truck.
@local12
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After 10 weeks of testimony, delays and arguments etc., the trial of George Wagner IV hits its final phase. All jury instructions apparently worked out in chambers and court will not reconvene until 9 a.m. on Monday for closing arguments. Jury could have case by Tuesday.
@local12
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@ProPublica
Thanks for the shout out. Here is part 1 how many hours
@CincyPD
officers work - some more than 90 to 100 a week.
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Breaking: Just got word that Michael Mearan, Portsmouth /lawyer former city councilman accused of sex trafficking who I've been investigating for years, arrested on an 18-count indictment today in Portsmouth. Tune into
@Local12
at 5:30 to learn more. That's him in middle here.
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Getting my first experience on the desk with the morning crew
@Local12
@Bob_Herzog
@BraaadWx
@SheilaGrayTV
@TeraBlake
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The court needs to find that the court should be open with no opting out of video unless the hearing "finds that there exists a reasonable and substantial basis for believing that public access could harm or endanger the fairness of the adjudication.
@local12
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Guilty all 8 murders all 4 aggravated burglary and conspiracy and gun charges- tampering with evidence as well
@local12
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He also recounted brother George getting a text from BCI with the picture of Jake holding the 1911 they recovered from the laptop. They then immediately called off work "for a family emergency."
@Local12
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Last tweet before I go back upstairs: Jake says family never talked about homicides. "I could not bear to think what I was doing at the time and what I had done without having immense guilt."
@local12
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Update on Pike Co. We’re done on the record today. Lawyers from both sides still working things out off the record into tonight. They’ll be back at 8:30 am and jury reports at noon.
@local12
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There was also a lot of discussion about what the two brothers talked about in the R&L truck we know was bugged. Jake admitted saying "I know you're listening Ryan" in the truck referring to lead BCI agent Ryan Scheiderer
@local12
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JUST IN: confirmed with
@WhiteHouse
that
@VP
Kamala Harris coming to Cincy tomorrow to talk about public transit with
@cincinnatimetro
and
@SenSherrodBrown
- roundtable set for late afternoon/early evening. Will have more details on
@local12
at noon and full story at 5
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In the meantime
@local12
has joined with six other media outlets to file a petition with the Ohio Fourth District of Appeals about the judge's ban on photographing or broadcasting exhibits. It was filed this afternoon here in Pike Co ... story coming soon.
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Good morning from Pike County murder trial of George Wagner IV. Two sides arguing evidence/exhibits. We're on quadruple I ... need to get through quadruple M. Judge is not allowing the picture of the wolf from George's Facebook page
@local12
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Good morning from Pike Co. Wagner murder trial. Hoping this is the final stretch. Lawyers to finalize jury instructions today and then closing arguments are expected this morning. Jury will get instructions late today or early tomorrow. Deliberations could start Tuesday
@local12
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He got the keys to the grow shed from Chris' body, then went and grabbed surveillance hard drive and put it in truck. Went back inside the house to grab cell phones of victims and saw the bodies had been moved and dragged into the bedroom. Covered them with blanket.
@local12
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The ruling landed during morning break, and lawyers from both sides went into chambers for on-record conference, then joined by Jake Wagner's lawyers. We're standing by to see if there will be a hearing called before testimony starts again.
@local12
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Highlights from afternoon session with Angela Wagner, testifying against son George Wagner IV in Pike Co. Massacre trial
@local12
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Good morning from Pike Co. murder trial of George Wagner IV. The prosecution is introducing all its evidence and resting its case today. Right now, lawyers are meeting off the record over which photos the defense may object to - then the judge will come back and decide.
@local12
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Jake also said on wedding night with Elizabeth Armer, he used her phone to watch anime and saw searches for "white witch spells" and other witchcraft on YouTube. Says it raised red flags
@local12
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How much is the Pike Co. Massacre Trial costing - and how much to prosecute all 4 Wagners? I'll have the answers coming up at 6 on
@local12
plus a better accounting with the online story later tonight.
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Good morning from Pike County murder trial of George Wagner IV. First was hearing on the media order - judge says the writ from appeals court striking his ban on showing exhibits and evidence will stand. So we can broadcast what we want on our discretion.
@local12
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Afternoon thread for Wagner trial with Jake on the stand. Defense got to cross examine starting at about 2:30 and went at him aggressively.
@local12
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But he also said that the entire family helped plan, execute and cover up the murders, including his father, mother and brother George.
@local12
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Good morning - Week 4 of Pike Co. murder trial of George Wagner IV gets started. The first two witnesses are opting out so no live tweeting for awhile. First is Chelsea Robinson, the ex-of Frankie Rhoden. Then Jeffrey Tackett, who is also opting out.
@local12
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Nash also asks if she thinks getting the equivalent of 4 years for each of the 8 victims is a good deal. "That's not how I understand it" but then Angela agrees the math is what it is.
@local12
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We have a final.
@nkunorsembb
go to
@HorizonLeague
finals with 84-74 win over
@ysusports
... one win away from
#marchmadness
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Defense lawyer John Parker has been much less aggressive and almost chatty with Jake - getting him to talk about his family and upbringing. This is most we've heard from Jake with long involved answers.
@local12
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Lone GOP council member Liz Keating also supports it "simple legislation ... if you are convicted of domestic violence, you should not be able to own a gun. If you can't keep your gun out of children's hands, you should be held responsible."
@local12
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But he got Jake to talk about how father Billy taught him to pick locks, steal and commit other crimes. Says his mother ran dog breeding business that faked where supposedly purebred puppies came from
@local12
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Jake told investigators where to find the murder weapons and then the truck they used - he knew his father had given it to his cousin Katie in Athens Ohio.
@local12
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Jake's lawyers eventually approached prosecution about possible deal - that was reached in March/April 2021. He actually entered his plea April 21, 2021 - the five year anniversary of the murders.
@local12
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This is why we do what we do. How would anyone know what the county is up to? Or that they are trying to hide it? Great watchdog work by friends and colleagues
@danhornnews
@SharonCoolidge
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We're hearing there may be a witness for prosecution this afternoon - Silas Wagner - who sold the truck to Billy and possibly George used the night of the murder. He has opted out.
@local12
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"I have regret. I have remorse. And I am more than sorry, but that's not enough. She (her granddaughter) was a baby. She was family." That was a reference to the suspected abuse granddaughter was receiving at Rhodens
@local12
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Good morning from snowy Pike Co. Lawyers for both sides will argue over which prosecution pictures the jury can see as evidence during deliberations this morning starting any minute. Then the jury arrives at noon for the continuation of the defense's case.
@local12
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As for her mother Angela says "You are absolutely correct. I was trying to protect my family."
@local12
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She's asked - is that what you still believe? "I never actually wanted anyone to be murdered from the very beginning." Agrees she took the deal to possibly see her grandchildren at some point.
@local12
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Find out why local authorities are calling this man - Deshawn Pressley - a hero for what he did in a local grocery store coming up on LOCAL 12, WKRC-TV at 4, 5 and 6.
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Good morning for Week 6 of the Pike County murder trial of George Wagner IV. First is a hearing on defense attempt to get a witness to testify remotely from Alaska. Then we expect a heavy day of BCI witnesses and evidence including more ballistic exhibits.
@local12
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I hit the three month mark with
@Local12
today! Thanks to everyone there for their support as I learn the crazy TV business
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Billy Wagner to return to court next week for pretrial hearing on Jan 18 for first hearing in nearly a year in Pike County massacre
@Local12
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Jake agreed with Parker he was "consumed" with possibility of abuse or rape of his daughter Sophia, even before she was born. Says he knew lot of women who were victims including his mother and sister in law
@local12
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Items in those concrete buckets included not only the guns and parts, but live ammo for .40 caliber Glock, as well as 9 mm - the kind he used in the Beretta when he test fired the silencer that ruined that gun.
@local12
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