George Kayer

Case identification

• Defendant: George Kayer
• Defendant race: Caucasian
• Victim: Delbert L. Haas
• Victim race: Caucasian
• Defendant’s girlfriend: Lisa Dawn Kester

Background

George Russell Kayer was wanted for violating his probation. Kayer borrowed money from his friend, Delbert L. Haas, so he could gamble in Laughlin. Kayer’s girlfriend, Lisa Dawn Kester, went with Kayer and Haas to Laughlin, where Kayer lost all his money in heavy gambling. Kayer told Haas that he had won big, but his winnings had been stolen from him.

Before returning to Arizona, Kayer told his girlfriend that they were going to rob Haas and then kill him.

While stopped in Kingman for some beer, Kayer armed himself with a hand gun.

The offence

After driving into some woods so the victim could relieve himself, Kayer stopped Kester from leaving the vehicle. Kayer got out of the van and shot Haas in the back of the head. Kayer returned to the van with Haas’ wallet, watch, and some jewelry.

After driving a short distance, Kayer said, “Oh damn, I didn’t get his keys.” Kayer and Kester returned to the scene of the killing. After checking the body, Kayer returned to the van for the gun and told Kester that the victim was not dead. Kayer then shot Haas again in the head.

With Haas’ keys, Kayer and Kester went to Haas’ home in Spring Valley. Kayer stole some guns, a camera, and some jewelry. They eventually returned to Nevada.

Investigation and reporting

About 10 days after the murder, Kester reported the murder to officials. She said she was upset because Kayer was gambling away all the money and that when she confronted him about it, he said, “You sometimes have to kill people to survive.”

Trial

Proceedings

• Presiding Judge: William T. Kiger
• Prosecutor: Arthur T. Markham

Timeline

• March 5, 1997 — Start of trial
• March 26, 1997 — Verdict
• July 15, 1997 — Sentencing
• July 17, 1997 — Sentenced to death

Verdict

Kayer was convicted of both premeditated and felony murder. Kayer was also convicted of trafficking in stolen property and theft of a firearm, and those were enhanced with two historical prior felony convictions.

Sentencing

• Aggravating Circumstances: Pecuniary gain
• Mitigating Circumstances: Important figure in the life of his son George Russell Kayer Sr.

Outcome

Kayer was sentenced to death on July 17, 1997.

Other details

• The sequence of events included Kayer telling Kester that they were going to rob Haas and then kill him before returning to Arizona.
• Kayer shot Haas twice in the head after killing him in the woods.
• Kester reported the murder to officials about 10 days after the killing, and Kayer’s statement during that confrontation was: “You sometimes have to kill people to survive.”