United States v. Alexander

TYMKOVICH, Circuit Judge.

While serving time as a federal prisoner in Oklahoma, Donnie K. Alexander helped his friend, Lonnie Sawyer, assault a fellow inmate. Alexander invoked his Fifth Amendment right to remain silent when first questioned about his role in the fight. Prison officials ceased questioning. However, they later placed Alexander in a cell next to Sawyer, after Sawyer requested an opportunity to convince Alexander that he should discuss his participation in the attack with prison authorities. Following the friends’ conversation, Alexander admitted to officials his role in planning…