Morgan County Correctional Complex Inmate Rodney Keifner pled guilty to the 2nd-degree murder in the death of his cellmate Edward Rapper. On November 1, 2018, Keifner (who was 28 years old at the time) apparently strangled Raper (who was 61 at his death). Keifner was serving a 15-year sentence for attempted murder.

On November 1, 2018, Rodney Keifner (DOB: 3/16/1990) was being housed at the Morgan County Correctional Complex serving a fifteen (15) year sentence for attempted murder with a sentence end date of June 2030. On that date, both Keifner and his cellmate, Edward Raper (DOB: 1/7/1957) (who was serving a 16-year sentence for Schedule II Drugs) were found unresponsive in their cell.

Upon reviewing the cameras both inmates entered the cell in the afternoon with no one else ever entering the cell again until both are found unresponsive. Multiple interviews were conducted by the Tennessee Department of Corrections Office of Investigations and Conduct Agent along with the assistance of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. The interviews of other inmates led the Agents to understand that there was what sounded like an altercation in the cell with Keifner and Raper. The victim, Edward Raper, was sent to the Knox County Regional Forensic Center where the cause of death was determined to be “Asphyxia” proving that Inmate Keifner strangled the victim. This case was indicted by the Morgan County Grand Jury on September 20, 2021.

At his sentencing, presided over by Criminal Court Judge Jeff Wicks, the daughter of Edward Raper testified regarding the effects the loss of her dad has had on her. Edward Raper’s daughter stated that she understood her dad was in prison but that he was a good man and would give the shirt off of his back to someone. She went on to say that he did not deserve to die and that he has been taken away from her and his grandchildren.

Second Degree Murder is a Class A Felony that carries between 15-60 years in the Tennessee Department of Corrections. A conviction for second-degree murder must be served at 100% with up to 15% sentence reduction, so no less than the service of 85% of the sentence imposed. Inmate Keifner pled guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to eighteen (18) years in the Tennessee Department of Corrections to run consecutive to his current prison sentence, thereby making his sentence end date approximately 2048. With the thorough work of the Tennessee Department of Corrections, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations, and the Knox County Regional Forensic Center this is another offender who will receive a longer stay in prison by not following the laws while incarcerated. The District Attorney’s Office has a duty to protect all individuals that are in prison, even those that are serving time, and will continue to do so in order to keep violent offenders from being released back into the community anytime soon.