COLUMBUS – The State Controlling Board today approved the release of another $34,022 to Pike County to help ease the burden for the cost of the Rhoden family murders case.

State Representative Shane Wilkin (R-Hillsboro), a member of the State Controlling Board who secured funding for Pike County and joint sponsor of separate legislation to help small communities cover the high cost of capital cases such as this, said state assistance for Pike County is absolutely critical.

“A single capitol murder case is expensive to prosecute and defend. Four capitol murder cases can break a county. That is why these funds are crucial.” Representative Wilkin said.

The state budget approved by lawmakers this summer included $1 million to help Pike County with expenses associated with the case.

Wilkin, along with State Representative John Rodgers (D-Mentor-on-the-Lake), have also proposed House Bill 85, which would create a process for any county facing the financial hardship of a high-cost murder case to seek state assistance.

That legislation was approved by the House in April by a vote of 93-2. It is pending in the Ohio Senate.