Judge allows testimony against man accused in 8 Ohio deaths

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - A judge in Ohio is allowing a man who previously admitted to killing five members of a single family to testify against his brother in a death penalty trial.

Jake Wagner gave a detailed statement to authorities about the 2016 killings in southern Ohio and agreed to testify against the other members of his family.

A total of eight members of the Rhoden family were killed near Piketon in a custody dispute. John Parker is an attorney for Wagner’s brother, George Wagner IV.

Parker argued unsuccessfully at a Tuesday court hearing that the deal Jake Wagner struck with prosecutors limits his ability to conduct a thorough cross examination.