Pike County massacre update, it's Election Day, today's top stories | Daily Briefing

Patricia Gallagher Newberry, Cincinnati Enquirer
·2 min read
Tony Rhoden Sr., brother of murder victims Kenneth and Christopher Rhoden Sr., speaks to the press following the reading of the verdict for George Wagner IV.
Tony Rhoden Sr., brother of murder victims Kenneth and Christopher Rhoden Sr., speaks to the press following the reading of the verdict for George Wagner IV.

Happy Tuesday from Patricia Gallagher Newberry, enterprise reporter at The Enquirer.

Last fall, I spent 13 weeks in Pike County covering the murder trial of George Wagner IV. In the end, he was found guilty for his role in the 2016 slaughter of seven members and one future member of the Rhoden family, earning eight consecutive life sentences.

I’ll be back in Pike County on Thursday as the Rhodens’ effort to make the Wagners pay for the crime – literally, with a wrongful death suit that could produce millions of dollars in awards – moves forward.

Who has that kind of cash?

Not Wagner IV, his father, mother or brother – all targets of the suit. They’re all behind bars for the homicides. Not likely his grandmother, Rita Newcomb, another defendant.

That leaves his other grandmother, Fredericka Wagner, the final defendant. She’s the only one with any serious assets.

We’ve got the details in advance of the Thursday hearing in the case. Click or tap here to read more.

What else you need to know Tuesday, Aug. 8

🌤️ Weather: High of 84. Warmer with intervals of clouds and sunshine.

🗳️ It's Election Day: Here's how Ohio Issue 1 advocates are making their final pitch

🎩 Don't Miss: 'A new energy.' Legendary downtown Cincinnati hat shop has new location

💰 Politics: Hamilton County commissioners vote against zoo tax increase

📜 Today in History: On August 8, 1974, President Richard Nixon, facing damaging new revelations in the Watergate scandal, announced he would resign the following day

Before you go: These famous songs mention our hometown

Connie Smith sings "Love Lifted Me" for the crowd on the second day of the Billy Graham Crusade at the Adelphia Coliseum June 2, 2000.
Connie Smith sings "Love Lifted Me" for the crowd on the second day of the Billy Graham Crusade at the Adelphia Coliseum June 2, 2000.

"One more hour and I'll be home. Close my eyes and rest my bones. Can't be more than a mile or so. From Cincinnati, Ohio."

That 1967 hit from Connie Smith called "Cincinnati, Ohio" is one of 50 famous songs we included in our list of tunes that name-drop our city or landmarks around town. Take a look at them all here, from Drake to Jimmy Buffet and Ray Charles.

📰 Want a side of news with that breakfast? Subscribe to the Daily Briefing today 📰

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Reds second baseman Jonathan India shakes his right hands after fielding a bouncing ground ball in the third inning against the San Francisco Giants on July 20.
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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Pike County massacre update, it's Election Day | Daily Briefing