WAVERLY, OH (WCMH) — One of the suspects in the Rhoden family murder appeared in court, Thursday. 

A pre-trial hearing for George “Billy” Wagner III took place today in Pike County as he faces charges in connection to the 2016 Pike County family massacre. 

Wagner III, along with his wife, Angela Wagner; and his sons George Wagner, and Edward “Jake” Wagner, were indicted by a grand jury in November. 

The Wagners could be sentenced to death if convicted.

The victims were identified as 40-year-old Christopher Rhoden Sr.; his ex-wife, 37-year-old Dana Rhoden; their three children, 20-year-old Clarence “Frankie” Rhoden, 16-year-old Christopher Jr., and 19-year-old Hanna; Clarence Rhoden’s fiancée, 20-year-old Hannah Gilley; Christopher Rhoden Sr.’s brother, 44-year-old Kenneth Rhoden; and a cousin, 38-year-old Gary Rhoden. Hanna Rhoden’s days-old baby girl, another baby and a young child were unharmed.

Edward Wagner was the long-time former boyfriend of 19-year-old Hanna Rhoden, one of the eight victims, and shared custody of their daughter at the time of the massacre.