He helps imprisoned hospice patients and trains shelter dogs so they can be adopted. The convicted killers, Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson, are each serving two consecutive life sentences. Pasley was the live-in girlfriend of Russell Henderson, who Bay Area federal judge orders extradition of woman suspected of killing MSU student in hit-and-run, San Jose: Home raided as part of explosives and narcotics investigation, Man arrested after explosives found in bag at Pa. airport. Pasley is serving 15 to 24 months in prison after pleading. 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. Matthew Shepard was born in Casper, Wyoming in 1976. The next day, a mountain biker found him. She said she lied during questioning later at the Laramie Even now, people associate Laramie with the murder. I was one lucky sister-in-law to have gained such a beautiful friend, sister. Price was sentenced to 180 days, of which she served 60 days. Im so, so ashamed I was ever part of this, Henderson said. Authorities said Henderson and Aaron McKinney, both 21, posed as homosexuals and lured Shepard out of a bar before taking him to a remote area, pistol-whipping him and leaving him tied to a fence in the cold. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); McKinney repeatedly used homosexual slurs in his confession, Marsden said. The event was billed as an examination of what the media got wrong in its coverage of Shepards murder. He died in a hospital five days later. Your email address will not be published. Im sorry.. According to Oxygen, on October 6, 1998, Shepard was out at a gay bar in Laramie, Wyoming known as The Fireside Lounge. (Zeina Barkawi/The Matthew Shepard Foundation via AP). Henderson's clothes in a gas station Dumpster. As recently as Tuesday, days before the anniversary of Shepards death, about 200 people attended a forum in Laramie questioning the prevailing view that he was murdered because of his sexual orientation. 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.. 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. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski, File), Oct. 9, 1999 : A cross made of stones rests below the fence in Laramie, Wyo. 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. ___ Please subscribe to keep reading. Both have served time in different states due to overcrowding in Wyoming prisons, with McKinney being held in Mississippi and Henderson currently being held at a prison in Torrington, Wyoming, a small town near the Wyoming-Nebraska border. Going into the murder trial, McKinney's lawyers used a defense strategy that involved pointing to McKinney's claim that Shepard touched him (via BBC News). Dear Abby: Why do they imply my husband is a freak? June 11, 2022 Posted by: illustrator graphic design tutorials . But were also trying to get to the next Aarons and the next Russells. /kga. She was born on October 4, 1978 in Salt Lake City to Rodney Pasley and Linda Larsen. 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. His frailty, McKinney told Pierotti. Wyoming teachers are leaving. These last couple of months Chasity made such changes in her life she would always pray with me when I seen her. 8539 South 2200 West, West Jordan, Utah. Dave O'Malley sits for a portrait outside the Albany County Courthouse on Sept. 28 in Laramie. 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. Shepard was lured out of a Wyoming bar, pistol whipped and tied to a fence in freezing temperatures. Still, he insisted, neither he nor Aaron McKinney was motivated by anti-gay hatred when they offered Shepard a ride home from a bar. Chastity Pasley. Matthew Shepard's death was a catalyst for a push toward adopting laws that protect members of the LGBTQ community. 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. 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. 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. Related Articles 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. 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. 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. University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard was severely beaten and left tied to a fence outside Laramie the night of Oct. 6, 1998. . Some of it, though, comes from not wanting to bear the blame for the crime, he said. 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. She said her organization will continue its unapologetic advocacy, reaching out to churches, businesses, legislators and regular citizens about their policies and attitudes. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer), 1998: Matthew Shepard. She was someone Jim Osborn knew well and liked. Im so, so ashamed I was ever part of this, Henderson said. ", However, his codefendant, Russell Henderson, has a different perspective on the heinous murder the two committed. 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. Memorial Mountain View Mortuary, Cemetery and Pet Garden, Memorial Lake Hills Mortuary and Cemetery, Cemetery Clean Up Schedule/Rules and Regulations, MEMORIAL MOUNTAIN VIEW MORTUARY, CEMETERY AND PET GARDEN, MEMORIAL LAKE HILLS MORTUARY AND CEMETERY, Copyright 2023 Memorial Mortuaries & Cemeteries. Her passion of helping others succeed touched many lives. She said she had misgivings about getting involved and was 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.. 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. Chasity Pasley currently lives in Salt Lake City, UT; in the past Chasity has also lived in West Jordan UT and Lompoc CA. But were also trying to get to the next Aarons and the next Russells.. OMalley said Jimenezs narrative has picked up in steam in Wyoming more than anywhere else. It breaks our hearts when death separates us from the ones we love so much, especially when they are as young as Chasity. Shepard returned to the United States for college and eventually returned to Casper, where he attended the local community college. 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. Because of overcrowding at Wyomings maximum-security prison in Rawlins, Henderson and McKinney have served their time in multiple states. IRS delays tax deadline for Bay Area, but California hasn't followed: What should you do? 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 Henderson drove, McKinney began pistol-whipping Shepard and took his wallet. Dear Abby: My wife said she doesn't like it, but it's part of my life, Harriette Cole: I don't want the neighbor's kids at my house, Ask Amy: I feel guilty for not speaking up about my co-worker's activities, Ask Amy: I'm your cabin housekeeper, and you apparently have no idea what I do. 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. From left . display: none; consecutive life sentences. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Wyoming remains deeply defensive about the idea that Shepard was targeted because he was gay, Burlingame said. 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. May 21, 1999. The Majority of her career life she worked in the education field and became the Dean of Students at Utah Career College. 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. Russell Henderson says he thinks about Matthew Shepard every single day of his life. McKinney repeatedly used homosexual slurs in his confession, Marsden said. She received 120 days of credit for time already served following her initial arrest, and the remaining 60 days were suspended. The case gained national attention and led to calls for the inclusion of sexual orientation in federal hate crimes law. 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. Meanwhile, Chasity Pasley was found guilty of helping the two discard bloody clothing belonging to Shepard. Pasley's testimony. Chasity Vera Haines (Pasley) passed away on October 10, 2017. Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson were around 21-year-old Shepards age when they chatted him up the evening of Oct. 6 at the Fireside Lounge in Laramie. Attitudes against homosexuality persist in Wyoming, but LGTBQ acceptance has advanced, said Jason Marsden, executive director of the Denver-based Matthew Shepard Foundation. Were nowhere near done, said Sara Burlingame, executive director of the Cheyenne-based LGBTQ advocacy group Wyoming Equality. 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. 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. 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. Attitudes against homosexuality persist in Wyoming, but LGTBQ acceptance has advanced, said Jason Marsden, executive director of the Denver-based Matthew Shepard Foundation. 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. Im so, so ashamed I was ever part of this.. Really? I am so sorry for your loss. Meanwhile, Chasity Pasley was found guilty of helping the two discard bloody clothing belonging to Shepard. Chasity Pasley, 20 . 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. In a letter written from jail, McKinney admitted to being homophobic. Known as the Equality State, Wyoming got its nickname for being the first to let women vote. StephenBelber, one of the playwrights of The Laramie Project, interviewed Henderson for the same production in 2009, andtold the Denver Post the experience was different than Pierotti's with the apparently remorseless McKinney. It has been a year since we lost our sweet Chasity. He died five days later. There was a problem saving your notification. Prosecutors accused both Price and Chasity Pasley, who was Henderson's girlfiend, of helping dispose of Henderson's bloody clothes. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. Osborn said that the intolerant reputation that the national media placed on Wyoming was, to an extent, unfair. She said Henderson tried to reassure her, saying, "It's all Stephen Jimenez, the events host, is the author of The Book of Matt that alleges drugs and not hate led to Shepards death. 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. Henderson and McKinney are serving life sentences for Matthew Shepard's murder. fence post outside Laramie and left to die. She also was charged with being an accessory after the fact to first-degree murder, but her trial has been delayed. The Wyoming Cowboys season will come to a close th. Shepard died less than a week later, on Oct. 12, 1998, at age 21. Instead, Henderson said in a non-specific manner that drugs played a role in Shepards killing. Chastity Vera Pasley, the girlfriend of murder suspect Russell Henderson, is pictured in court in Laramie, Wyo., on Friday, Oct. 9, 1998. Pasley said she first learned of the beating listening to Ed Andrieski, AP Dave. 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. / CBS. In this Oct. 9, 1998 file photo, from left are Russell Henderson, Aaron McKinney, and Chasity Pasley, three suspects in the beating death of gay University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard. 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. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. ``I needed to face up to what I did, Pasley said during her sentencing hearing. 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. I will keep Chasity always in my heart, I wont find another like her . Prosecutor Cal Rerucha said Monday that she was a valuable witness for the prosecution against McKinney. 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. His friend, Aaron McKinney, is scheduled to go on trial this summer and if convicted could face the death penalty. According to Oxygen, Aaron McKinney has never displayed even an ounce of remorse for his crimes, even doubling down. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! This 1995 photo provided by the Matthew Shepard Foundation shows Matthew Shepard. He was her world. The groups work today is the same thing that was there 20 years ago., As recently as Tuesday, days before the anniversary of Shepards death, about 200 people attended a forum in Laramie questioning the prevailing view that he was murdered because of his sexual orientation. Chasity had a big loving heart she would always put others before herself. were arrested and charged with attempted first-degree murder, while their respective girlfriends, Kristen Price and Chasity Pasley, were also arrested and charged as accessories. McKinney, 22, if he is convicted. Earlier in the day, Chasity Pasley, a girlfriend of Henderson's, testified that she saw no indication of drug use by McKinney. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski, File). Shane studied journalism at the University of Missouri and worked at newspapers there before moving to Wyoming. 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. The University of Wyoming created its diversity office only last year. Prosecutors accused both Price and Chasity Pasley, who was Henderson's girlfiend, of helping dispose of Henderson's bloody clothes. What Happened To The People Who Murdered Matthew Shepard. At no time did we know he was gay until he tried to get on me.. I dont like to spend a lot of time on them. (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. Chasity was born on October 4, 1978 and passed away on Tuesday, October 10, 2017. 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. 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. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! She attended Laramie High School in Laramie, Wyoming and later obtained a degree from Stevens Henager College.?. 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. Chasity Vera Pasley is a resident of UT. I love you Chasity. 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. Still, he insisted, neither he nor McKinney was motivated by anti-gay hatred when they offered Shepard a ride home from a bar. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Pasley is serving 15 to 24 months in prison after pleading guilty to an accessory charge. A contradictory statement from McKinney indicates that Shepard didn't touch him, but looked like he was going to. 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. 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. Police said the women helped dump bloody clothing and initially lied about their whereabouts. In April,. 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. The argument was rejected. (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. The prosecution says it will seek the death penalty for McKinney was last serving his time in a Mississippi prison,as oflate last year, and refusing interview requests,the Associated Pressreported. display: none;
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