The plea deal Jake entered into with the prosecution was for eight life sentences without the possibility of parole.
Instead, Hein sentenced him to eight life sentences with the possibility of parole after 32 years.
Edward “Jake” Wagner, his mother, Angela, and his grandmother, Rita Newcomb, were all sentenced Friday for their parts in the 2016 murders of eight members of the Rhoden and Gilley families in Pike County.
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.
However, when it was Jake’s turn to be sentenced, Hein shocked the court room.
“How do I resolve what looks to me as some sort of gender bias?” said Hein.
He pointed to Angela receiving a “good deal” for her cooperation with the prosecution, while Jake — who also cooperated and testified during his brother George’s trial — was meant to be sentenced the same as George.
“How do I resolve the good deal your mom got, especially since she could have stopped the whole thing dead in its tracks?” said Hein.
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.
About the Author