A memorial celebration of life service will be held on Wednesday, October 18, 2017, 11:00 AM at the Elm Creek Ward, 8539 South 2200 West, West Jordan, Utah. Because of overcrowding at Wyomings maximum-security prison in Rawlins, Henderson and McKinney have served their time in multiple states. She said her organization will continue its unapologetic advocacy, reaching out to churches, businesses, legislators and regular citizens about their policies and attitudes. However, McKinney did speak with actor Greg Pierotti in 2009, for a revival of The Laramie Project, a play centering around the fallout from Shepards murder,according toToday.com. Mckinney was sentenced to two consecutive life prison sentences last week for the October 1998 murder of 21-year-old Shepard. She also was charged with being an accessory after the fact to first-degree murder, but her trial has been delayed. His accomplice, Russell Henderson, is also serving two consecutive life terms. I think he has atoned. His weakness. Hendersons remarks dont change the facts of the case, which include McKinneys confession to police, Marsden said. Shane studied journalism at the University of Missouri and worked at newspapers there before moving to Wyoming. McKinney has pleaded innocent and is scheduled to stand trial in August. upon -- that they watched movies together the night of the But there are also people who think Shepard deserved to die because of his sexual orientation and use Jimenezs theory as an excuse for their views, Osborn said. Henderson tied Shepard to the fence after McKinney told him to do it, he said. The killers girlfriends Chasity Vera Pasley, 20, and Kristen Leann Price, 18 were charged with being accessories after the fact. Shepard was beaten into a coma and left tied to a rural fence for 18 hours. Marie Maxfield. I dont agree with the gay lifestyle, he said. Crime News is your destination for true crime stories from around the world, breaking crime news, and information about Oxygen's original true crime shows and documentaries. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski, File). I dont necessarily think that the counternarrative necessarily comes from a place of hate or negativity in and of itself, Osborn said. In this Oct. 9, 1998 file photo, from left are Russell Henderson, Aaron McKinney, and Chasity Pasley, three suspects in the beating to death of gay University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard wait to be arraigned in Laramie, Wyo. He died less than a week later, on October 12, 1998, at age 21. By continuing, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. District Judge Jeffrey Donnell sentenced Price to 180 days in jail. after pleading guilty to being an accessory after the fact in It has been a year since we lost our sweet Chasity. The Majority of her career life she worked in the education field and became the Dean of Students at Utah Career College. Once people find out Im from Laramie, Wyoming, they still zero in on this hate crime, said Trudy McCraken, who spoke at the forum and was Laramies mayor at the time of the slaying. McKinney was last serving his time in a Mississippi prison,as oflate last year, and refusing interview requests,the Associated Pressreported. Henderson's clothes in a gas station Dumpster. Also denying this allegation is one of Shepard's murderers, Russell Henderson. 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. (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. Then they left Shepard in the frigid darkness. 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. According to Biography, McKinney would later state that he thought Shepard was dead when they left him, but that wasn't the case; Shepard was still alive, albeit in a coma. She received 120 days of credit for time already served following her initial arrest, and the remaining 60 days were suspended. 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. Chasity Pasley, 21, is serving an 18-month prison sentence Hate Crimes Prevention Act,according to a 2018 Associated Press interview. Two decades after Matthew Shepard was bludgeoned, tied to a rail fence and left to die on the cold high prairie, the emotions stirred up by his slaying linger in Wyoming, which still struggles with its tarnished identity and resists changes sought by the LGBTQ community. In this Oct. 9, 1999 file photo, a cross made of stones rests below the fence in Laramie, Wyo. I think about him and every single one of those days that I've had that he hasn't had, his family hasn't had, his friends haven't had. attack and knew nothing of it. 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. Shepard was discovered by a mountain biker who at first glance thought that Shepard's mutilated body tied to the fence post was a scarecrow on the evening of October 7. But I think that nobody wants to believe that hate and violence exist in their community. McKinney repeatedly used homosexual slurs in his confession, Marsden said. His frailty, McKinney told Pierotti. Pasley faced up to three years in prison. Henderson has taken a victim empathy course, and even written a letter of apology to Judy Shepard, Matthew's mother,Belbersaid. Cheyenne owned by her mother. So, it was amusing that he tried to tell me that he knew better than I did the facts of the case.. 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. Russell Henderson says he thinks about Matthew Shepard every single day of his life. According to the Associated Press, she was sentenced to 15 months to 2 years in prison. Chasity Pasley, 23, could have been sentenced to 3 years in prison and fined up to $3,000 on her guilty plea to being an accessory in the October 1998 slaying of Matthew Shepard, 21. LARAMIE, Wyo. Linda she really loved you with all her heart & soul she missed you very much. At McKinneys trial, his attorneys sought to use the so-called gay panic defense, arguing he killed Shepard in a rage for making sexual overtures. The next day, a mountain biker found him. She will be missed dearly and heaven has gained an angel to watch over her loved ones. 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. Ashton was her knight and shining armour. But two decades after Matthew Shepard was bludgeoned, tied to a rail fence and left to die on the cold high prairie, the emotions stirred by his slaying linger in Wyoming, which still struggles with its tarnished identity and resists changes sought by the LGBTQ community. Stephen Jimenez, the events host, is the author of The Book of Matt that alleges drugs and not hate led to Shepards death. OMalley said Jimenezs narrative has picked up in steam in Wyoming more than anywhere else. I think about Matthew every single day of my life. Thank you for letting me be a small part of your life. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski, File), Oct. 9, 1999 : A cross made of stones rests below the fence in Laramie, Wyo. McKinneys lawyers also wanted to argue that Shepard caused McKinney to explode in a rage by putting his hand on McKinneys leg. The foundation also pushed for the passage of the United States' first piece of federal hate crime legislation the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. 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. But two decades after Matthew Shepard was bludgeoned, tied to a rail fence and left to die on the cold high prairie, the emotions stirred by his slaying linger in Wyoming, which still struggles with its tarnished identity and resists changes sought by the LGBTQ community. At the time of the killing, McKinney and Price were parents of an infant son. shoes Henderson had been wearing that night in a shed in 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. And so, for the conspiracy theorists out there, I suppose its good reading. Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Associated Press writers Brady McCombs in Laramie and David Crary in New York contributed to this report. She attended Laramie High School in Laramie, Wyoming and later obtained a degree from Stevens Henager College.?. Fireside Lounge with two men and being driven away in a Chasity was born on October 4, 1978 and passed away on Tuesday, October 10, 2017. Much love. loved. The event was billed as an examination of what the media got wrong in its coverage of Shepards murder. He helps imprisoned hospice patients and trains shelter dogs so they can be adopted. 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. McKinney is now in a Mississippi prison and not agreeing to interview requests, according to the Wyoming Department of Corrections. It never was about us hating Matthew because of who he was.. "As tragic as it is, and as unfortunate as it is, and as hard as it is for Matthew's 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 told the Associated Press in 2018, 20 years after Shepard's murder. She said her organization will continue its unapologetic advocacy, reaching out to churches, businesses, legislators and regular citizens about their policies and attitudes. ``I needed to face up to what I did, Pasley said during her sentencing hearing. McKinney and Henderson are each serving two consecutive life sentences. Chasity Pasley, Mr. Henderson's girlfriend, pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact. Under cross-examination, she acknowledged she was not in. Miss Manners: I shouldn't call because the phone scares people? IRS delays tax deadline for Bay Area, but California hasn't followed: What should you do? McKinney and Henderson trying "to get their stories straight" We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Henderson, who pleaded guilty to avoid a possible death sentence, is serving his time at a medium-security prison in Torrington, a quiet farming-and-ranching town a few miles from the Nebraska line. Shepard returned to the United States for college and eventually returned to Casper, where he attended the local community college. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. 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. 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. 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. Meanwhile, Chasity Pasley was found guilty of helping the two discard bloody clothing belonging to Shepard. To find out more, please click this link. Former UW student Chasity Pasley, who was dating one of Matthew Shepard's killers, pleaded innocent to the charge of accessory, after the fact, to first-degree murder. where a year earlier, University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard was tied and pistol whipped into a coma. According to the Matthew Shepard Foundation, Shepard was chosen to be a peer counselor at the school and was known to fight for the acceptance of everyone. Then they left Shepard in the frigid darkness. What Matthew Shepards killer has to say, 20, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Alameda County DAs new policy will reduce prison sentences through widespread elimination of sentencing enhancements, 20 years after killing Matthew Shepard, what Russell Henderson has to say, Matthew Shepards parents prepare to lay their son to rest at National Cathedral. (Zeina Barkawi/The Matthew Shepard Foundation via AP). Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! At the bar, he encountered two men, Russell Henderson and Aaron McKinney. knee of Henderson's pants. November 4, 1999 / 9:24 AM He has also seen the drug-related hypotheses gain popularity over the years. The following morning, Pasley testified, eight detectives Please try again. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski, File), Nov. 4, 1999: Judy Shepard stands with Detective Sgt. Chasity Pasley, 20 . Meanwhile, Chasity Pasley was found guilty of helping the two discard bloody clothing belonging to Shepard. LARAMIE, Wyo. Pasley wept throughout. She is survived by her son Ashton, mother Linda (Candy), father Rodney (Donna), Sister Angela (Sylvester), brother Andrew and sister Vera Pasley, many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Henderson described himself as a follower of others, including the more charismatic McKinney, and said he was afraid to lose face by doing more to prevent the crime or just going home. He covers courts and law enforcement agencies in Natrona County and across the state. Im so, so ashamed I was ever part of this.. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. McKinneys lawyers also wanted to argue that Shepard caused McKinney to explode in a rage by putting his hand on McKinneys leg. A memorial celebration of . girlfriend, Kristen Price, drove to Cheyenne to dump (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 am so sorry for your loss. of a gay Wyoming college student told jurors Thursday of how After Jimenez and his co-panelists wrapped up their presentation, a Laramie local stepped to an audience microphone and said the presentation had convinced him but first he shared his biases. Instead, he said, they were out to rob him of money and possibly drugs when they drove him to the edge of town on the night of October 6, 1998. Ed Andrieski, AP Dave. During that video, which was spliced together from eight shorter clips, Henderson said he did not help kill Shepard because of prejudice. I think about Matthew every single day of my life. For the last 20 years, the work of Wyoming Equality has really been this race, that we want to get to every LGBT person out there, Burlingame said. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); McKinney repeatedly used homosexual slurs in his confession, Marsden said. Her passion of helping others succeed touched many lives. Im sorry.. police station, sticking to a story she and Price had agreed Adamson student died of severe blunt force trauma, 17 face raps in Adamson students hazing death, Week-long transport strike on March 6 will continue, says Manibela, As strike looms, govt moves jeepney franchise deadline, Kickstart summer with vivos hot smartphone deals this 3.3, Bring on the sunshine: vivo makes summer vacays brighter for its fans, House energy committee chair Arroyo bats for cheap electricity, DA memo is cartel smoking gun Hontiveros, Kylie Padilla urges bashers to stop calling AJ Raval a mistress: Its not fair to her, Boybits Victoria, former PBA top rookie, passes away at 50. with two other men after the Shepard beating. 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. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. His murderers were both given consecutive life sentences, although they weren't charged with a hate crime. According to the Associated Press, she was sentenced to 15 months to 2 years in prison. Russell Henderson looks on during a prison interview at Wyoming Medium Correctional Institution. 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 night I did it, I did have hatred for homosexuals. October 18, 2017 at 11:00 AM (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer), 1998: Matthew Shepard. He later died. Heres what I can tell you as somebody who was here at the time and had direct knowledge of the case versus what somebody at a bar may have told you, what the person living on your res hall floor might have told you, that they know what really happened., I even had a really good friend of mine once tell me that he knew: Oh, I know what really happened there, and I was kind of amused by that, because at the time he was 5 and living in another town. Pasley's testimony. When police responded to the fight, Russell and Henderson fled, but police found Shepard's credit card and shoes in McKinney's truck along with the bloody .357 Smith & Wesson pistol used to bludgeon Shepard (via Biography). While Shepard became a symbol of the movement toward equality and laws, the state of Wyoming, where the murder took place, remains one of a handful to have not passed laws pertaining to crimes in which a victim's identity, including their sexual identity, served as a motivating factor. Kristen LeAnn Price, 19, was McKinneys girlfriend. It never was about that, Henderson said. Even now, people associate Laramie with the murder. According to Oxygen, on October 6, 1998, Shepard was out at a gay bar in Laramie, Wyoming known as The Fireside Lounge. Explode in a rage by putting his hand on McKinneys leg has gained an angel watch... Days in jail sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best experience on our website October 12, 1998 Matthew... Which include McKinneys confession to police, Marsden said New York contributed to this.. A decade after a Jimenez-produced 20/20 segment that likewise featured McKinney denying bigotry a., 20, and the remaining 60 days were suspended anywhere else on! Where he attended the local community College.? to watch over her loved ones was part! The definitive source for global and local news the remaining 60 days were suspended maximum-security prison Rawlins! 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