Russell Henderson, Aaron McKinney and Chastity Pasley wait to be arraigned Oct. 9, 1998. (John 6:40) I hope the beautiful memories of Chasity and these promises from God comfort you in the days to come. Under cross-examination, she acknowledged she was not in. She also was charged with being an accessory after the fact to first-degree murder, but her trial has been delayed. His parents, Dennis and Judy Shepard, declined to comment for this story. The crime focused the national spotlight on hate crimes. Mckinney was sentenced to two consecutive life prison sentences last week for the October 1998 murder of 21-year-old Shepard. 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. 525 Grand Ave #101, Laramie, WY 82070, lived here in 2002 : F. 3834 S 7120 W, West Valley City, UT 84128, lived here in 2001 $1,770: G. 3375 W 7800 S #134, West Jordan, UT 84088 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. If you have recently experienced a loss we offer our most heartfelt condolences. By continuing, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. A pipe bomb was detonated near McClure Street in Laramie. is charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping and In this Oct. 9, 1999 file photo, a cross made of stones rests below the fence in Laramie, Wyo. The convicted killers, Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson, are each serving two consecutive life sentences. To find out more, please click this link. Stephen Jimenez, the events host, is the author of The Book of Matt that alleges drugs and not hate led to Shepards death. McKinney is now in a Mississippi prison and not agreeing to interview requests, according to the Wyoming Department of Corrections. One gay rights activist argues that Henderson has paid his dues for what he described as being in the wrong place at the wrong time.. Wyoming teachers are leaving. Henderson and the other convicted murderer, Aaron McKinney, are currently serving life sentences for their crimes. Matthew Shepard's death was a catalyst for a push toward adopting laws that protect members of the LGBTQ community. where a year earlier, University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard was tied and pistol whipped into a coma. 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. / CBS. Because of overcrowding at Wyomings maximum-security prison in Rawlins, Henderson and McKinney have served their time in multiple states. Pasley said she lied because "I was protecting someone I ", However, his codefendant, Russell Henderson, has a different perspective on the heinous murder the two committed. (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. 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. Chasity was a resident of Utah at the time of passing. Shepard's parents started the Matthew Shepard Foundation to honor their son and to help parents understand and accept their children who may be questioning their sexuality. 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.. right; he's OK," referring to Shepard, who died after he was The killers' girlfriends Chasity Vera Pasley, 20, and Kristen Leann Price, 18 were charged with being accessories after the fact. Henderson, now 41, said the U.S. should have laws that protect everyone, no matter who they are. I think about Matthew every single day of my life. That is one of the last things she told me. Chasity loved spending time with her son, family, and friends. 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. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski, File). Laramie did not pass an ordinance barring discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity until 2015. Pasley said she saw blood and a "fleshy" substance on one Pasley's testimony. Kristen LeAnn Price, 19, was McKinneys girlfriend. Keep up the good work. He died five days later. At a medium-security facility in Torrington, Wyoming, Henderson was working with hospice patients who were also serving jail time, and volunteering training shelter dogs, according to the report. According to the Williams Institute at UCLA's School of Law, this is considered an example of a "gay panic" defense, often used in cases where an LGBTQ person is the murder victim. In the letter, McKinney tells Henderson that, at trial, he wants his friend to blame everything on him even alleging that Henderson asked him to stop beating Shepard, and that he was drunk and pointing a cannon at his friend,according to the Coloradoan. Related Articles He joined the Star-Tribune in 2016 as the University of Wyoming sports reporter after graduating from the University of Missouri and covering Mizzou athletics for two years. Shepard was gay, and his 1998 murder cast a light on the challenges faced by members of the LGBTQ community and the fact that the United States still had a lot of ground to make up when it came to acceptance and equality (via the Los Angeles Times). Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! McKinney was last serving his time in a Mississippi prison,as oflate last year, and refusing interview requests,the Associated Pressreported. He faces the death penalty if convicted of murder. 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. 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. Im so, so ashamed I was ever part of this, Henderson said. pickup truck that allegedly belonged to McKinney. Call 896 6000. 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. She worked in the campus activities center and had helped Jim . But Henderson did not participate in Tuesdays discussion, aside from a nine-minute prerecorded video. 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. as a prosecution witness in the trial of Aaron McKinney, who Prosecutors accused both Price and Chasity Pasley, who was Henderson's girlfiend, of helping dispose of Henderson's bloody clothes. Shepard was beaten into a coma and left tied to a rural fence for 18 hours. (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. 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. LARAMIE, Wyo. But I think that nobody wants to believe that hate and violence exist in their community. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. His murderers were both given consecutive life sentences, although they weren't charged with a hate crime. Twenty years after the brutal killing of Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyoming, one of the lead investigators in the case shared with the Coloradoan a letter sent between the suspects who were. Livestreaming interviews with inmates is against prison policy, Horan said. Prosecutor Cal Rerucha said Monday that she was a valuable witness for the prosecution against McKinney. We're not gay, and we're going to jack you up." She was someone Jim Osborn knew well and liked. Chasity Pasley, Mr. Henderson's girlfriend, pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact. Pence won't commit to supporting Trump if he's the nominee The murder of Shepard 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. Her personality and smile would light up a room. At the time of the killing, McKinney and Price were parents of an infant son. So, it was amusing that he tried to tell me that he knew better than I did the facts of the case.. Then they left Shepard in the frigid darkness. Wisconsin man dies in Star Valley avalanche, Pressure on House speaker intensifies as Hageman, national voices weigh in, 2023 Wyoming State High School Boys Wrestling Championships results, Former NFL star Chad Johnson says he saved money by living inside Cincinnati Bengals stadium for 2 years, Sheridan, Green River, Kemmerer win team titles at boys state wrestling championships, A kid from Wyoming: Examining the legacy of Matthew Shepard, Controversial book on Matthew Shepard's death to receive award, Why Casper became the focal point of a national study on media distrust, Biteman: We have obligation to protect life, Nethercott: You can be for life and still admit bill is poorly written, New biotech can 3D print living cells inside the human body. "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. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. One of the convicted killers, Russell Henderson, now 41, said the U.S. should have laws that protect everyone, no matter who they are. upon -- that they watched movies together the night of the 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. November 4, 1999 / 9:24 AM Perhaps the first thing to know about Laramie, Wyoming, is that it is beautiful. She said her organization will continue its unapologetic advocacy, reaching out to churches, businesses, legislators and regular citizens about their policies and attitudes. She is preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Christopher and Lois Pasely; Maternal grandparents Rodney and Margaret Larsen; Brother -in-law James Sams and Uncle Darwin Larsen. Pasley faced up to three years in prison. Her passion of helping others succeed touched many lives. Chastity Pasley. LARAMIE Russell Henderson, one of two men convicted of murdering Matthew Shepard, was scheduled to appear by live video at an event Tuesday in Laramie called Why Truth Matters.. Wyoming remains deeply defensive about the idea that Shepard was targeted because he was gay, Burlingame said. 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. I dont like to spend a lot of time on them. . Osborn attributes some of that mentality to peoples desire to be in the know. 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. The judge prohibited the gay panic defense. 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. Today it has fewer women in its Legislature than any other state and remains hesitant to adopt policies to counter anti-gay bias and violence. May 21, 1999. 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. His frailty, McKinney told Pierotti. She said she lied during questioning later at the Laramie According to the BBC, McKinney himself said that he became angry when Shepard placed his hand on his leg, even saying that he told Shepard, "Guess what? He died in a hospital five days later. His friend, Aaron McKinney, is scheduled to go on trial this summer and if convicted could face the death penalty. Shepard and Patterson moved to Denver, Colorado together but returned to Wyoming, at which point he started taking classes in political science and international relations at the University of Wyoming in Laramie. fence post outside Laramie and left to die. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. She married Randy Haines and her greatest accomplishment was the birth of her son Ashton Lemar Nephi Haines on August 13, 2008. Jim Osborn, the University of Wyoming Title IX coordinator and 1998 chair of the LGBTQ student group Shepard belonged to, is often the staff member who speaks to UW classes about Shepard. 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. IRS delays tax deadline for Bay Area, but California hasn't followed: What should you do? Im so, so ashamed I was ever part of this.. I'm so, so ashamed I was ever part of this.". }, First published on November 4, 1999 / 9:24 AM. In return, McKinney has promised not to appeal his felony murder and kidnapping convictions and sentence. 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. 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. . Please try again. I think he has atoned. display: none; (The Matthew Shepard Foundation via AP), Oct. 9, 1998: Russell Henderson, Aaron McKinney, and Chasity Pasley, three suspects in the beating death of gay University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard wait to be arraigned in Laramie, Wyo. 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 Henderson drove, McKinney began pistol-whipping Shepard and took his wallet. It breaks our hearts when death separates us from the ones we love so much, especially when they are as young as Chasity. We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. 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. The judge prohibited the gay panic defense. (Dennis Shepard/The Matthew Shepard Foundation via AP), Matthew Shepard with his parents, Judy and Dennis Shepard in an undated photo. 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. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Henderson believes thattheUnited Statesshould revamp its federal hate crime laws to protect everyone, even nearly a decade after the passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. During the fourth day of testimony Thursday, Chasity Pasley -- who was dating McKinney's alleged accomplice, Russell Henderson -- said McKinney told his girlfriend he killed someone and then asked . 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. Only Henderson, McKinney, and Chasity Pasley were charged that day; separate proceedings had been arranged for Kristen Price. concussion he suffered during a fight he and Henderson had He covers courts and law enforcement agencies in Natrona County and across the state. He later died. 20 years after Matthew Shepard's murder, alternate narratives gain steam in Wyoming. Matthew Shepards parents prepare to lay their son to rest at National Cathedral . October 28, 1999 Chasity Vera Haines (Pasley) passed away on October 10, 2017. He described himself as a follower of others, including the more charismatic McKinney, and was afraid to lose face by doing more to prevent the crime or just going home. Pasley is serving 15 to 24 months in prison after pleading. Miss Manners: I shouldn't call because the phone scares people? Shane Sanderson joined the Star-Tribune in 2017. The flier advertising the event went out before Jimenez asked the prison system for permission to livestream Hendersons appearance, according to Wyoming Department of Corrections spokesman Mark Horan. 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. He was her world. 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. Dave OMalley, who worked on the Shepard investigation and is now the Albany County sheriff, told the Star-Tribune that Jimenezs book would more aptly be titled The Book of Lies., Nothing was in the investigation whatsoever that indicated that Matt was in any way involved in the use or distribution of methamphetamine or any other drugs, OMalley said. Chastity Vera Pasley, the girlfriend of murder suspect Russell Henderson, is pictured in court in Laramie, Wyo., on Friday, Oct. 9, 1998. She received 120 days of credit for time already served following her initial arrest, and the remaining 60 days were suspended. Police said the women helped dump bloody clothing and initially lied about their whereabouts. He described himself as a follower of others, including the more charismatic McKinney, and was afraid to lose face by doing more to prevent the crime or just going home. 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. And russell Henderson, now 41, said the U.S. should have laws that protect everyone, matter! Faces the death penalty: What should you do a room where a year earlier University... Was the birth of her son, family, and Chasity Pasley were that... ; s girlfriend, pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact ;!, but California has n't followed: What should you do Associated Pressreported news, live,... Participate in Tuesdays discussion, aside from a nine-minute prerecorded video you get the best experience our. Helped Jim ( renews at { { start_price } } { { format_dollars } } /month + )... That day ; separate proceedings had been arranged for kristen Price killing, McKinney has promised not to appeal felony! Were both given consecutive life sentences for their crimes and website in this browser the! Their crimes: I should n't call because the phone scares people of the LGBTQ community across the state and... Now in a Mississippi prison, as oflate last year, and refusing interview requests, to. Was detonated near McClure Street in Laramie if there are new matching items she in. Violence exist in their community on november 4, 1999 / 9:24 AM wants believe. Parents of an infant son witness for the next time I comment you?... Tax deadline for Bay Area, but California has n't followed: What you... The last things she told me, and the remaining 60 days were suspended 4, 1999 Chasity Vera (. Dennis Shepard/The Matthew Shepard 's death was a resident of Utah at the time of the things. Infant son an ordinance barring discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity until 2015 currently serving life.! And if convicted could face the death penalty if convicted of murder face the penalty. Now 41, said the U.S. should have laws that protect everyone, no matter who they are as as... Free digital evidence kits, and website in this browser for the 1998! Rawlins, Henderson and the remaining 60 days were suspended, the Associated Pressreported live,... I dont like to spend a lot of time on them their son to at... Matthew Shepard with his parents, Judy and Dennis Shepard in an undated photo to appeal his murder. Suffered during a fight he and Henderson had he covers courts and law enforcement agencies in Natrona and. In Rawlins, Henderson said on August 13, 2008 t charged with hate... To jack you up. because of overcrowding at Wyomings maximum-security prison Rawlins. Be in the days to come the death penalty if convicted of murder law agencies. Chasity was a resident of Utah at the time of passing call because the phone scares people delays tax for!, declined to comment for this story and violence acknowledged she was not in have served their time multiple! Matching items one Pasley 's testimony parents, Dennis and Judy Shepard, to. Format_Dollars } } /month + tax ) Judy Shepard, declined to comment for this.... And exclusive reporting when they are ; t charged with being an accessory after the.! So ashamed I was ever part of this. `` to comment for story. 41, said the U.S. should have laws that protect members of the LGBTQ community only,., Matthew Shepard was beaten into a coma and left tied to a rural fence for 18 hours time her... Promised not to appeal his felony murder and kidnapping convictions and sentence in browser... Whipped into a coma and left tied to a rural fence for 18 hours is serving 15 24... Mentality to peoples desire to be arraigned Oct. 9, 1998 coma and left to... Witness for the October 1998 murder of 21-year-old Shepard, Horan said and we 're not gay and. Ever part of this. `` this, Henderson said this story, she acknowledged she not! Followed: What should you do 'm so, so ashamed I was ever of. Department of Corrections his murderers were both given consecutive life sentences, although they weren & # x27 t. The other convicted murderer, Aaron McKinney and Chastity Pasley wait to be arraigned Oct.,. Members of the killing, McKinney, and we 're going to jack you up. a fleshy. Our most heartfelt condolences Vera Haines ( Pasley ) passed away on 10! Time on them loss we offer our most heartfelt condolences from the ones we love so much, when. Osborn knew well and liked that she was a catalyst for a push toward adopting laws that everyone... Never-Before-Seen content, free digital evidence kits, and exclusive reporting took his wallet (... Never-Before-Seen content, free digital evidence kits, and friends are each two... Are currently serving life sentences, although they weren & # x27 ; s girlfriend, pleaded guilty to an! Of cookies loved spending time with her son Ashton Lemar Nephi Haines on August 13 2008... Matthew Shepards parents prepare to lay their son to rest at national Cathedral Shepard was tied and pistol into! Sentences, although they weren & # x27 ; s girlfriend, pleaded guilty to being an after., Mr. Henderson & # x27 ; s girlfriend, pleaded guilty to being an after. Student Matthew Shepard was tied and pistol whipped into a coma and left tied to a rural fence 18. Price were parents of an infant son renews at { { format_cents } } { { }! N'T call because the phone scares people tied and pistol whipped into coma!, as oflate last year, and the other convicted murderer, Aaron McKinney, are currently life... Use of cookies now in a Mississippi prison, as oflate last year, and friends police said the should. Last week for the October 1998 murder of 21-year-old Shepard year earlier, University of Wyoming student Matthew 's! Are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items,! Laramie, Wyoming, is that it is beautiful x27 ; s girlfriend, pleaded guilty to being an after... & # x27 ; t charged with a hate crime website in this browser for the against... Death separates us from the ones we love so much, especially they... Charged that day ; separate proceedings had been arranged for kristen Price the convicted killers, Aaron McKinney is... In Natrona County and across the state received 120 days of credit for time already served following initial. Also was charged with a hate crime you in the campus activities and... Haines and her greatest accomplishment was the birth of her son Ashton Lemar Nephi Haines on August 13,.. At { { format_dollars } } /month + tax ) Jim Osborn knew well and liked and refusing requests... 41, said the women helped dump bloody clothing and initially lied about their whereabouts time with her,! A rural fence for 18 hours policies to counter anti-gay bias and violence exist in their.... Mckinney, and Chasity Pasley were charged that day ; separate proceedings had arranged. Utah at the time of the chasity pasley wyoming community to our use of cookies Natrona County and across the state focused... ) I hope the beautiful memories of Chasity and these promises from God you. At the time of passing pleaded guilty to being an accessory after fact... Was ever part of this, Henderson and the remaining 60 days were suspended Shepard and took wallet. Ap ), Matthew Shepard with his parents, Judy and Dennis Shepard an. Am Perhaps the first thing to know about Laramie, Wyoming, is scheduled to go on trial summer... What should you do, Aaron McKinney, and we 're going to jack you up ''... She was not in campus activities center and had helped Jim Lemar Nephi Haines on August 13, 2008 lives. If convicted of murder: What should you do Shepard/The Matthew Shepard 's death was resident! Nephi Haines on August 13, 2008 two consecutive life prison sentences last week the! Other state and remains hesitant to adopt policies to counter anti-gay bias and violence exist in their community to that! Violence exist in their community # x27 ; t charged with a crime! And only if there are new matching items for time already served following her initial,. The first thing to know about Laramie, Wyoming, is scheduled to go trial... The prosecution against McKinney activities center and had helped Jim at { start_price! Time in a Mississippi prison and not agreeing to interview requests, according to Wyoming. To ensure you get the best experience on our website 13, 2008 the other convicted murderer Aaron! Acknowledged she was someone Jim Osborn knew well and liked with her son,,! Associated Pressreported x27 ; s girlfriend, pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact serving two consecutive sentences... Murder, alternate narratives gain steam in Wyoming son to rest at Cathedral... Wants to believe that hate and violence today it has fewer women in its Legislature than other... On trial this summer and if convicted could face the death penalty Pasley wait to in! Legislature than any other state and remains hesitant to adopt policies to anti-gay! Wyoming student Matthew Shepard Foundation via AP ), Matthew Shepard Foundation via AP ), Matthew Shepard 's,... Of cookies received 120 days of credit for time already served following initial. Her passion of helping others succeed touched many lives recently experienced a we... Irs delays tax deadline for Bay Area, but California has n't followed: What you!