Chris Graves
Jury selected in Ohio mass-murder trial; jurors to visit crime scenes
A jury of nine women and three men will decide the fate of George W. Wagner IV, who faces eight counts of aggravated murder in Ohio's...
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Chris Graves
Aug 30, 20223 min read
Jury selection expected to wrap up Tuesday
Lawyers seated 12 potential jurors in the first day of the George Wagner IV mass murder trial in Pike County Monday, with the full jury...
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Chris Graves
Aug 29, 20222 min read
Trial prep: Keep your facts straight + stay organized
In a trial, it is extremely important to keep your facts straight: Names, titles, numbers, ages. In a trial this complex — eight victims,...
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Chris Graves
Aug 29, 20222 min read
Words matter: A primer on murder vs homicide
Words and their meaning matter a great deal in journalism. Strive to be precise and accurate in word choice. Case in point: The term...
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Chris Graves
Aug 27, 20223 min read
What to expect in week one of George Wagner IV mass murder trial
The much anticipated trial of George Washington Wagner IV, 30, in the 2016 octuple homicide of members of the Rhoden family in Pike...
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Chris Graves
Aug 26, 20221 min read
Media coverage BEFORE the trial
In the coming days, many media outlets will report and write stories leading up to the trial to remind readers/viewers about the case....
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Chris Graves
Aug 26, 20223 min read
The 8 Rhoden family massacre victims: A mother, father, their children, a fiancée and a cousin
Courtrooms provide a front-row seat to human tragedy, incredible drama and excruciating emotion and deep pain. It is easy to get caught...
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Chris Graves
Aug 25, 20222 min read
The suspects: A father, a mother, two sons
Four members of an Ohio family were indicted in November 2018 in the 2016 Rhoden family massacre.
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Chris Graves
Aug 24, 20224 min read
The structure of a criminal trial, what to expect
The trial of George Washington Wagner IV, 31, officially starts on Aug. 29. However, the defense and prosecution teams have been working...
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Chris Graves
Aug 23, 20222 min read
Judge's order pertaining to media, use of electronics during Wagner trial
Pike County Common Pleas Judge Randy Deering issued an order on July 1, 2022 pertaining to media coverage in the George Washington Wagner...
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Chris Graves
Aug 19, 20222 min read
Hello + Welcome!
This is — dare I say it — a blog set up for students in Chris Graves's writing and reporting class (JOUR200B) at the University of...
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