NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — More than 20 years after Cyrus Wilson was sentenced to life in prison, he'll sit before a Tennessee Board of Parole member Wednesday morning. The only other person who may share his anxiety is his wife, Casey.
"I have been super anxious for several days. We're extremely fortunate that we have all of these people working together to bring Cyrus home," Wilson said.
In 1994, a jury found Wilson guilty in the shooting death of another Edgehill teenager. Decades later, two alleged witnesses have recanted statements they made in which they said they saw the shooting. Wilson's attorney said there is now no evidence connecting Wilson to the shooting.
Casey met Cyrus when she was 17, a few months after he went to jail in February 1994. Throughout the years, the two have written letters and speak on the phone. She currently visits him at Riverbend Prison every weekend.
"We wrote and talked when we could but at that time our phone calls would be $25 just because of how long distance phone calls worked then," she smiled.
The couple married on April 1st, 2014 at Riverbend Prison.
"It's been hard, but we've always managed to stay in touch and keep up with each other and each others' lives. He's been probably one of my best friends," she said.
On Wednesday, dozens plan to attend Cyrus' parole hearing at Riverbend. The social media campaign #FreeCyrusWilson shows how the community is supporting the 44-year-old and sharing his story.
"He's not really sure what to expect, but he's confident in who he is. He's confident in his growth, he's confident that he can be productive out here. So I think he's going in with a really good mindset," she said.
Wilson's wife and their two daughters would love to have him home. They say they're praying for a positive outcome.
According to the Tennessee Board of Parole, there will not be a vote granting or denying Wilson parole on Wednesday. The board member hearing Wilson's case will take his file and all associated materials to the other board members, who will review it and cast their ballots independently. Voting stops when four concurring votes are cast either to grant parole or deny parole.
