Pike County trial: Murder victim Kenneth Rhoden's family members give chilling testimony
Donald Stone, 50, turned to a box of tissues to help keep his composure during another day of chilling testimony in George Wagner's murder trial.
"Do you recognize that photo?" prosecutor Angela Canepa asked Stone.
"Yes," said Stone, Kenneth Rhoden's cousin.
"And can you tell us what you recognize that as?" said Canepa.
"It's where Kenny slept," Stone said tearfully.
Stone found the lifeless body of his 44-year-old cousin in a remote camper in Pike County.
The discovery came after Stone learned seven other members of the Rhoden family had been killed in homes on Union Hill Road, about six miles away.
Stone testified in George Wagner the Fourth's murder trial, describing the Rhodens as a tight-knit family.
"Their mother fed me when I was young," Stone said. "They're just helpful people."
Kenneth Rhoden's mother, Geneva, was comforted by loved ones when crime scene photos showing her deceased son were shown to the jury.
After Stone testified, Kenneth Rhoden's now 30-year-old son Luke took the stand. He was the first witness to be asked to identify George Wagner in court.
"He's wearing a vest," Luke Rhoden said, pointing toward Wagner.
Rhoden said he knew his dad grew marijuana and even helped process it.
He also said he swam with George Wagner and his brother Jake Wagner a couple of years before the massacre. Then Luke Rhoden said their dad, Billy Wagner, once threatened violence against his dad and his uncle, Chris Rhoden Sr.
Luke said that while his dad and uncle were doing a good deed for Billy Wagner, Billy told Luke that a dust-up between the three of them would not end well.
"If he ever had to tussle with them, whatever, that we would have to shoot them," said Rhoden, recalling what Billy told him.
Rhoden said that conversation probably happened four or five years before his family members were shot and killed. He said just before the threat of violence, Billy Wagner described his dad and uncle as "really good people."
Related coverage:
