WAVERLY, Ohio- In an order issued Friday, a Pike County judge denied a request by multiple media outlets to broadcast the first trial of Ohio’s worst homicide in its entirety.
Pike County Court of Common Pleas Judge Randy Deering issued a ruling denying an application from The Guardian, The Cincinnati Enquirer, CourtTV, Law and Crime TV, WCPO-TV, WKRC-TV, WXIX-TV and WLWT-TV to authorize the audio recording or streaming of witnesses from the trial of George Wagner IV. The media groups hired First Amendment law attorney Jack Greiner to represent them.
Wagner IV is charged with the murder of the Rhoden family in 2016.
Historically, courts in Ohio and nationwide have allowed witnesses to opt out of having their faces shown on television or in photographs while on the witness stand, and in doing so, those courts have allowed an audio broadcast only testimony, which does not show the face or identity of the witness, but still allows the public to hear the proceedings.
Media organizations also asked the judge to allow the shooting of co-defendants Angela and Jake Wagner, who both entered plea deals in the eight-person murders. The judge denied the media request, saying that if the two convicted Wagners chose not to be filmed, they would not be, despite being co-accused, and the public would not hear their testimony or confessions.
The judge also banned cell phones and laptops from entering the courtroom and issued an order prohibiting anyone from entering or leaving the courtroom while the court is in session. As a result, the media are essentially barred from real-time reporting of the trial.
The trial will begin with opening arguments on Monday. More than 250 witnesses are expected to be called and the proceedings are expected to last six to eight weeks.
