Opinion ID: 2785783
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Evidence Against Kyzar

Text: Our independent review of the record, viewed in the light most favorable to the prosecution, establishes the following. Kyzar and Gieslin shared a cell at Perryville prison and exercised authority over the other white inmates. In fact, Kyzar and Gieslin were the people to see if a white inmate needed a knife, as evidenced by the fact that Kyzar had given Cropper a knife in the past. On the day of the murder, Cropper threw a tantrum while various items of contraband—including a serrated knife—were confiscated from his cell. After Cropper was placed on lockdown, he asked Long to summon Kyzar and Gieslin. When Kyzar arrived at Cropper’s cell, Cropper said he wanted “the good one,” meaning a knife with a handle, while making a stabbing motion. After a short discussion about whether Cropper already had the specific knife he was asking Kyzar to obtain for him, Kyzar asked, “Well, are you sure about this? How much time you got, homeboy?” Cropper said, “It don’t fucking matter. I’m a career criminal anyway.” Id. As Kyzar and Gieslin were leaving, Cropper told them to “get off the yard.” Kyzar then instructed Brice to show Long, who lived in the cell right next to Cropper, where to find a specific knife that he referred to as “the shank.” Kyzar was also present when Gieslin instructed Fipps to go to Long’s cell and see if everything was being handled. After the murder, Kyzar was standing with Gieslin and Brice while they saw Cropper taken out of Building 26 in restraints. The guards who were escorting Cropper were crying and yelling at him. Kyzar turned to Brice and told him to keep his mouth shut. KYZAR V. RYAN 19