George "Billy" Wagner III, the alleged mastermind of the 2016 massacre in Pike County, will be tried in Seneca County in the northwest part of the state, according to a new ruling in the case.
Wagner, due for trial in January, sought and won a change of venue in November 2024.
In an Oct. 13 court entry, Visiting Judge Jonathan Hein said he selected Seneca County, in part, for demographics, heritage and remoteness similar to Pike County.
Seneca is located about an hour south of Toledo and about three hours from Pike County.
Wagner's attorney Mark Collins said he was thankful for the ruling.
"Changing venue is the only way to protect our client’s right to a fair trial," he said via email. "We look forward to start of the trial on Jan. 11."
Special Prosecutor
Angela Canepa did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the decision.
In an earlier filing, Canepa said the judge floated the idea of Seneca County in August 2024 during a meeting with lawyers in his chambers.
Wagner is facing eight counts of aggravated murder and 14 related charges in the 2016 shooting deaths of seven members of the Rhoden family and one future member. He has been jailed since his arrest in November 2018, held in Butler County until September 2024 and Pickaway County since then.
This story may be updated.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Final Pike County suspect will face trial in Seneca County
