Wagers pleads in Riggleman slaying

A Williamsburg man, who is accused of helping gun down a former preacher in his front yard last year, pleaded guilty Tuesday afternoon to murder and first-degree robbery.
Woodson Travis Wagers, 23, will receive a 25-year prison sentence on the murder charge, and a 20-year prison sentence for robbery, which will be served concurrently, or at the same time, for a total sentence of 25 years in prison.
As part of the plea agreement, Wagers also agreed to testify “truthfully” in the trial of his co-defendants.
In his statement to the Judge Paul Braden, Wagers claimed that his uncle, Paul David Smith, was the one to actually kill Glenn David Riggleman.
Riggleman, 41, was shot twice in the yard of his Lola Powell Road home on April 29, as he was leaving for work.
Riggleman also appeared to have been run over by one of the tires on his truck, which was stolen from the crime scene, and recovered seven hours later in the Kensee Hollow area, officials said.
Smith, 38, is charged with murder in connection with Riggleman’s death. Smith’s wife, Karen Denise Smith, 31, of Williamsburg, is charged with complicity to commit murder in the death of Riggleman, her ex-husband.
Wagers told Braden late Tuesday afternoon that he and Smith left his uncles home early that morning, and that he dropped Paul Smith off a little ways before Riggleman’s trailer.
“I took off down the road, and waited on him,” Wagers said. “He (Paul Smith) did whatever he did there and drove the truck (Riggleman’s truck) down the road.”
Wagers said he and his uncle switched vehicles.
Wagers told Braden that Paul Smith was supposed to dispose of the weapon and shells, but that he didn’t do so. Wagers said that instead he tossed the gun and shells into a creek, and then disposed of the vehicle.
After disposing of the truck, Wagers said he went to his aunt’s home where the police later questioned him.
Wagers said Denise Smith was involved in the plot to kill Riggleman.
“She helped plan out the deal. She got the work schedule and what time he left the house,” Wagers said.
Both Paul and Denise Smith have pleaded not guilty, and were scheduled to be tried Jan. 27 in Whitley Circuit Court.
In light of Wagers guilty plea, and agreement to testify against his co-defendants, Judge Paul Braden agreed Tuesday to reschedule the Smith’s trial for July 20.
“We’re pleased with the sentence,” said Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Robert Stephens. “We spoken with the victim’s family, and think it is a fair resolution on it. He has agreed to testify truthfully during the trial of the other two defendants.”
Wagers lawyer, David Hoskins, said his client was pleased with the plea agreement.
The sentence will run concurrently with a four-year prison sentence Wagers received for attempted escape and assaulting a jail guard during the escape attempt.
On Nov. 20, 2003, Wagers, Jamie E. Davis, and Doyle Fox were being escorted back to their cell following a church service in the multi-purpose room at the jail, when they jumped Bill Childress, a guard at the jail.
The inmates used a belt and cord to restrain Childress hands and feet and put a sock in his mouth before locking him in the cell. They then took his keys, and fled from the back of the jail toward the front door when they were spotted by deputy jailers Paul Brimm and Larry Patrick before they left the jail, according to Williamsburg police and jail officials.