Henderson tied Shepard to the fence after McKinney told him to do it, he said. Web posted at: 6:23 p.m. EDT (2223 GMT). Please try again. attacked the night of October 7, 1998, after leaving the Twenty years on, its a heck of a lot closer to being a place where people can enjoy their lives more or less equally, said Marsden, who was a newspaper reporter and friend of Shepards at the time of his killing. As tragic as it is, and as unfortunate as it is, and as hard as it is for Matthews family, and for my family, for all of us, to go through, it opened up all of us to be better people and really think about who we are, Henderson said of Shepards death in a prison interview Tuesday with The Associated Press. Pasley said she was sorry for helping to dispose of bloody clothing her boyfriend, Russell Henderson, wore during the Oct. 7 attack on Shepard, 21. Chasity Pasley, 20 . You have permission to edit this article. She said she lied during questioning later at the Laramie ``I needed to face up to what I did, Pasley said during her sentencing hearing. And, in 2018, Albany County Sheriff David OMalley, who investigated Shepards murder 20 yearsbefore, shared a letter written to Henderson by McKinney while the two were both awaiting trial. Then they left Shepard in the frigid darkness. In a letter written from jail, McKinney admitted to being homophobic. Chasity Pasley, 21, is serving an 18-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to being an accessory after the fact in the slaying of Matthew Shepard, who was beaten, tied to a fence post. "We need to do this for Matthew and for everybody else and to keep this from happening again.". Pasley, Hendersons girlfriend, was sentenced to 18 months, of which she served 6 months. His murderers were both given consecutive life sentences, although they weren't charged with a hate crime. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer), 1998: Matthew Shepard. Because of overcrowding at Wyomings maximum-security prison in Rawlins, Henderson and McKinney have served their time in multiple states. District Judge Jeffrey Donnell sentenced Price to 180 days in jail. Prosecutor Cal Rerucha said Monday that she was a valuable witness for the prosecution against McKinney. loved. The murder of Shepard, a gay University of Wyoming student, was a watershed moment for gay rights and LGBTQ acceptance in the U.S., so much so that 20 years later the crime remains seared into the national consciousness. Associated Press writers Brady McCombs in Laramie and David Crary in New York contributed to this report. Rob DeBree as her husband Dennis reads a statement to the media regarding Aaron McKinney's plea bargain in the murder of Shepard's son Matthew, at the Albany County Courthouse, in Laramie, Wyo. In April,. His parents, Dennis and Judy Shepard, declined to comment for this story. His murderers were both given consecutive life sentences, although they werent charged with a hate crime. He helps imprisoned hospice patients and trains shelter dogs so they can be adopted. Twenty-oneyears after beating Shepard into a coma and leaving him hanging in near-freezing temperatures from a wooden fence for 18 hours, McKinney and Henderson both remain in prison. Attorneys for Wyoming in 2014 argued in defense of the states definition of marriage as only between a man and a woman, a case later rendered moot by higher court rulings. The Bible reminds us that God sees our pain and sadness and has promised that soon, death will be swallowed up forever. (Isaiah 25:8) He will heal our broken hearts by resurrecting our precious loved ones to life again. McKinneys lawyers also wanted to argue that Shepard caused McKinney to explode in a rage by putting his hand on McKinneys leg. Chasity Vera Pasley, 20, cried repeatedly as she was sentenced to 15 months to two years in prison for being an accessory after the fact to first-degree murder. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Pac-12 media rights: Our (final) predictions for the revenue, media partners, expansion decisions and more, Denver gang member gave 14-year-old permission to open fire on woman with AR-15 after fender-bender, DA alleges, In 4 years, Lori Lightfoot went from breakout political star to divisive mayor of a Chicago beset by pandemic and crime, Florida lawmakers to consider expansion of so-called dont say gay law, Drone crashes at Disneyland after hovering over visitors heads See video, Rapper Travis Scott wanted for assaulting Manhattan club sound engineer, destroying $12K in equipment, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. In a 2009 interview quoted byThe Denver Post,McKinney stated bluntly, "Matt Shepard needed killing," adding, "As far as Matt is concerned, I don't have any remorse. A Wyoming man pleaded guilty yesterday to the horrific killing of gay college student Matthew Shepard - garnering a life sentence for the crime that shocked the nation. Trending News In return, McKinney has promised not to appeal his felony murder and kidnapping convictions and sentence. She was the last of four defendants arrested following the 1998 beating death of gay University of Wyoming freshman Matthew Shepard. At the time of the killing, McKinney and Price were parents of an infant son. She received 120 days of credit for time already served following her initial arrest, and the remaining 60 days were suspended. The acrimony over Shepards legacy runs high here, just as it did when anti-gay and gay-rights protesters squared off at his funeral in Casper. McKinney repeatedly used homosexual slurs in his confession, Marsden said. Shepard, 21, a student at the University of Wyoming, was Much love. But Henderson did not participate in Tuesdays discussion, aside from a nine-minute prerecorded video. consecutive life sentences. Henderson and McKinney are serving life sentences for Matthew Shepard's murder. Jimenez has argued in his book and various interviews that Aaron McKinney, who is incarcerated in a private Mississippi prison for his role in Shepards death, was trying to rob Shepard for methamphetamine, not petty cash and the pair of shoes he made away with. . the slaying of Matthew Shepard, who was beaten, tied to a He also makes clear the homophobic element of the brutal murder although he claims not to have known Shepard was gaywhen he and Henderson first approached him. Patterson was a lesbian, known for being very outgoing, and hit it off with Shepard, who had known about his own sexuality for years and came out to his mother while still in high school. According to Biography, Shepard was remembered as being kind, sensitive, and quiet when he was a kid. President Barack Obama signed a federal hate crime prevention act named after Shepard in 2009, a law that Shepards mother, Judy Shepard, said has been helpful. Theres nothing that was in the investigation that indicated that McKinney and Henderson were under the influence of anything other than a little bit of beer the night that they killed Matt. That is one of the last things she told me. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski, File). Dave O'Malley sits for a portrait outside the Albany County Courthouse on Sept. 28 in Laramie. Cheyenne owned by her mother. I dont agree with the gay lifestyle, he said. From left . I think about Matthew every single day of my life. Woman Sentenced for Role in Attack. Pasley is serving 15 to 24 months in prison after pleading. . I know she is moving forward in her existence and making strides in her own eternal progress. Both Henderson and McKinney were found guilty of murdering Shepard and were both sentenced to life in prison. ___. However, the judge in McKinney's murder trial would not permit it. Under cross-examination, she acknowledged she was not in. Matthew Shepard was a junior in high school at the time and he wrapped up his high school years in Switzerland at The American School, where he studied several foreign languages as well as theater. ", Judge may bar 'gay panic' defense in Wyoming beating trial, 1 year after Shepard killing, tougher hate crimes laws still sought, First defendant gets life in gay student killing, Woman changes plea, admits helping gay student's accused killers, Fighting Hate Across the Nation -- Leadership Conference Education Fund. The murder of college student Matthew Shepard shocked the nation on multiple levels. Known as the Equality State, Wyoming got its nickname for being the first to let women vote. McKinney is now in a Mississippi prison and not agreeing to interview requests, according to the Wyoming Department of Corrections. There were no federal or state laws at the time equipped to deal with violence dealt solely because of a persons sexuality or gender identity. Matthew Shepards parents prepare to lay their son to rest at National Cathedral .component--type-recirculation .item:nth-child(5) { Attorneys for Wyoming in 2014 argued in defense of the states definition of marriage as only between a man and a woman, a case later rendered moot by higher court rulings. (Judy Shepard/The Matthew Shepard Foundation via AP), 1989: Matthew Shepard, age 12, in San Francisco. The Majority of her career life she worked in the education field and became the Dean of Students at Utah Career College. The 21-year-old was taken to a hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado where he died on October 12, 1998 (via Matthew Shepard Foundation). Mr. Henderson never met his biological father and was adopted as an infant by a stepfather, said. Hendersons remarks about the motivation for the beating dont change the facts of the case, which include McKinneys confession to police, said Jason Marsden, executive director of the Denver-based Matthew Shepard Foundation. He died five days later. A pipe bomb was detonated near McClure Street in Laramie. Please know we are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and always have a funeral director on call to help answer any questions or concerns. She was born on October 4, 1978 in Salt Lake City to Rodney Pasley and Linda Larsen. Pasley testified After leaving Shepard tied to a fence post in rural Wyoming, Henderson and McKinney returned to Laramie, where they got in a street fight with two other men, according to The Coloradoan. Ed Andrieski, AP Dave. Ed . They have both taken starkly different paths since they were sentenced, however. But Jimenez did receive approval for a prerecorded interview with Henderson, which was shown in an edited version at the event, held at Laramies Hilton Garden Inn. Celebration of Life On that nig, The Wyoming State Historical Society will honor a controversial book about Matthew Shepard that claims he was killed in a drug deal gone wrong, This past week, the Society of Professional Journalists began winding down its examination of media trust with a panel in Casper, closing down. Marsden pointed out that only Wyomings governor could commute Hendersons sentence, a prospect that he called super unlikely. Burlingame of the Wyoming Equality group said she believes in redemption but doubts Henderson has really atoned for the crime. Chasity Pasley, Mr. Henderson's girlfriend, pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact. Russell and Henderson. The judge prohibited the gay panic defense. He faces the death penalty if convicted of murder. Chasity was a resident of Utah at the time of passing. June 11, 2022 Posted by: illustrator graphic design tutorials . The judge prohibited the gay panic defense. Top McCarthy aide, House Oversight chair each met with Ashli Babbitt's mother I think he has a contribution to make to society, said Malcolm Lazin, executive director of the Philadelphia-based LGBT group Equality Forum and a former federal prosecutor. I love you Chasity until we see each other again. display: none; As Henderson drove, McKinney began pistol-whipping Shepard and took his wallet. Russell Henderson, Aaron McKinney and Chastity Pasleywait to be arraigned Oct. 9, 1998. #inline-recirc-item--id-91eb6236-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d, #right-rail-recirc-item--id-91eb6236-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d { Earlier that evening, Shepard had been at a meeting with friends to plan on-campus events for an LGBTQ awareness week, per BBC News. LARAMIE, Wyo. He also admitted that when he and Henderson zeroed in on that night at the Fireside Lounge, they did so because he was obviously gay.. (AP) _ The girlfriend of a man who pleaded guilty to killing gay college student Matthew Shepard was sentenced Friday to up to two years in prison for helping to cover up evidence in the killing. The book came nearly a decade after a Jimenez-produced 20/20 segment that likewise featured McKinney denying bigotry played a role in his actions. By providing an email address. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Some of it, though, comes from not wanting to bear the blame for the crime, he said. I think it is sad someone would make such a Police said the women helped dump bloody clothing and initially lied about their whereabouts. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. Shepard returned to the United States for college and eventually returned to Casper, where he attended the local community college. The federal government wouldnt move substantially to address the kind of hatred that took Shepards life for almost 20 years, as explained onOxygensnew special, Uncovered: KilledByHate.. Prosecutors accused both Price and Chasity Pasley, who was Henderson's girlfiend, of helping dispose of Henderson's bloody clothes. with two other men after the Shepard beating. Wyoming Equality protested by holding a dance at a civic center down the street, using the slogan When They Go Low We Go Dance.. (AP) When two roofing workers beat a young gay man to death in Wyoming in 1998, the gruesome crime quickly reverberated around the U.S. and turned the sandy-haired college student into a powerful symbol of the quest for acceptance and equal rights. "I think about Matthew every single day of my life. girlfriend, Kristen Price, drove to Cheyenne to dump Henderson, now 41, said the U.S. should have laws that protect everyone, no matter who they are. It is among just five states along with Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana and South Carolina that have not passed laws focused on crimes motivated by the victims identity, such as their sexual orientation. Chasity had a big loving heart she would always put others before herself. Henderson tied Shepard to the fence after McKinney told him to do it, he said. He later died. I think about him and every single one of those days that Ive had that he hasnt had, his family hasnt had, his friends havent had. is charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping and She will be missed dearly and heaven has gained an angel to watch over her loved ones. Stephen Jimenez, the events host, is the author of The Book of Matt that alleges drugs and not hate led to Shepards death. pickup truck that allegedly belonged to McKinney. So, it was amusing that he tried to tell me that he knew better than I did the facts of the case.. The night I did it, I did have hatred for homosexuals. Marie Maxfield. LARAMIE, Wyoming When two roofing workers beat a young gay man to death in Wyoming in 1998, the gruesome crime quickly reverberated around the United States and turned the sandy-haired college student into a powerful symbol of the quest for acceptance and equal rights. McKinneys lawyers also wanted to argue that Shepard caused McKinney to explode in a rage by putting his hand on McKinneys leg. The sheer brutality of the murder which consisted of two roofing workers beating and then tying Shepard to a fence, where he was left to die was appalling, but it also symbolized something even bigger. as a prosecution witness in the trial of Aaron McKinney, who Henderson and the other convicted murderer, Aaron McKinney, are currently serving life sentences for their crimes. The judge prohibited the gay panic defense. where a year earlier, University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard was tied and pistol whipped into a coma. She attended Laramie High School in Laramie, Wyoming and later obtained a degree from Stevens Henager College.?. Dec. 24 - Chasity Pasley, who last month pleaded not guilty to an accessory charge related to the slaying of University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard, changed her plea to guilty in. Still, he insisted, neither he nor McKinney was motivated by anti-gay hatred when they offered Shepard a ride home from a bar. Scott Adams faces 'consequence culture' as U.S. newspapers drop Dilbert, Tom Cruise's 'ditching' of Suri showcased by Judd Apatow's 'co-parenting' joke, ex-Scientology exec says. The 1998 torture and murder of gay student Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyoming, was a turning point for gay rights in the United States, prompting outrage, sorrow and activism. McKinney won mercy from the victim's parents Thursday, who agreed not to press for the death penalty and was sentenced to life in prison with no hope of parole. Three suspects in the beating death of gay University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard wait to be arraigned in this, Oct. 9, 1998 file photo, from Laramie, Wyo. Police said Pasley, Henderson's girlfriend, and Kristen Price, McKinney's girlfriend, provided fake alibis and tried to destroy bloody clothing from the crime. In Salt Lake City to Rodney Pasley and Linda Larsen that soon, death will be up. 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