Matthew had just come from a meeting of his college LGBT association, where the group was planning awareness activities, according to theBBC. where a year earlier, University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard was tied and pistol whipped into a coma. Mr. Henderson never met his biological father and was adopted as an infant by a stepfather, said. That played a part. After Shepard's death, the attempted murder charges became full-on murder trials. 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. McKinney repeatedly used homosexual slurs in his confession, Marsden said. 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. with two other men after the Shepard beating. Im so, so ashamed I was ever part of this.. / CBS. 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. Osborn said that the intolerant reputation that the national media placed on Wyoming was, to an extent, unfair. Keep up the good work. (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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Henderson and McKinney are serving life sentences for Matthew Shepard's murder. Livestreaming interviews with inmates is against prison policy, Horan said. 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. 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. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski, File), Nov. 4, 1999: Judy Shepard stands with Detective Sgt. To find out more, please click this link. aggravated robbery in the slaying of Shepard. A pipe bomb was detonated near McClure Street in Laramie. As Henderson drove, McKinney began pistol-whipping Shepard and took his wallet. According to a 2018 Associated Press story posted byThe Mercury News, Sara Burlingame of the advocacy group Wyoming Equality says that the state continues to fight insinuations that Shepard was murdered because he was gay. Earlier in the day, Chasity Pasley, a girlfriend of Henderson's, testified that she saw no indication of drug use by McKinney. Russell Henderson, Aaron McKinney and Chastity Pasley wait to be arraigned Oct. 9, 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. Russell Henderson looks on during a prison interview at Wyoming Medium Correctional Institution. 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. In April,. 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. 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. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski, File). 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. Henderson, now 41, said the U.S. should have laws that protect everyone, no matter who they are. 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. His weakness. 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. Hendersons remarks dont change the facts of the case, which include McKinneys confession to police, Marsden said. 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. These last couple of months Chasity made such changes in her life she would always pray with me when I seen her. loved. Please subscribe to keep reading. Price originally was accused of accessory after-the-fact to first-degree murder, but the charge was later reduced. 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. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski, File). She will be missed dearly and heaven has gained an angel to watch over her loved ones. LARAMIE, WYOMING The girlfriend of a man who pleaded guilty in the kidnapping and murder of a homosexual college student was sentenced Friday to 15 to 24 months in prison for lying to police and destroying evidence. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. She said her organization will continue its unapologetic advocacy, reaching out to churches, businesses, legislators and regular citizens about their policies and attitudes. Still, he insisted, neither he nor Aaron McKinney was motivated by anti-gay hatred when they offered Shepard a ride home from a bar. 20 years after Matthew Shepard's murder, alternate narratives gain steam in Wyoming. Pasley's testimony. Also denying this allegation is one of Shepard's murderers, Russell Henderson. 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. Police said the women helped dump bloody clothing and initially lied about their whereabouts. Then they left Shepard in the frigid darkness. In a letter written from jail, McKinney admitted to being homophobic. #inline-recirc-item--id-91eb6236-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d ~ .item:nth-child(5) { 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. 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. Were nowhere near done, said Sara Burlingame, executive director of the Cheyenne-based LGBTQ advocacy group Wyoming Equality. Sometimes Chasity goes by various nicknames including Chasity V Pasley, Chasity V Pasley, Chasity Haines, Chasity Vera Haines and Chasity V Haines. 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. Henderson and the other convicted murderer, Aaron McKinney, are currently serving life sentences for their crimes. District Judge Jeffrey Donnell sentenced Price to 180 days in jail. Staggering snowfall in California mountains leaves residents trapped for days, Garland testifies before Senate panel amid ongoing special counsel probes, Colon cancer rates rising in younger age group, study finds, Firefighter dies battling blaze in downtown Buffalo, mayor says, Explosive found in checked luggage at Pennsylvania airport, feds say, 20,000 people may have been exposed to measles at Asbury University revival, Prosecution wraps its case at Alex Murdaugh murder trial, Top McCarthy aide, House Oversight chair each met with Ashli Babbitt's mother, Ex-Georgia star Jalen Carter was racing in deadly crash, arrest warrants allege, Flying bug found at Walmart turns out to be rare Jurassic-era insect, Pence won't commit to supporting Trump if he's the nominee. But were also trying to get to the next Aarons and the next Russells. /kga. Henderson and McKinney are serving life sentences for Matthew Shepard's murder. Prosecutors accused both Price and Chasity Pasley, who was Henderson's girlfiend, of helping dispose of Henderson's bloody clothes. I think he has atoned. LARAMIE, Wyo. Twelve states plus the District of Columbia are the only places where this defense has been banned. Wyoming remains hesitant to adopt policies to counter anti-gay bias and violence. Chasity had a big loving heart she would always put others before herself. 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.. 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. She also was charged with being an accessory after the fact to first-degree murder, but her trial has been delayed. He has also seen the drug-related hypotheses gain popularity over the years. I was one lucky sister-in-law to have gained such a beautiful friend, sister. police station, sticking to a story she and Price had agreed Linda she really loved you with all her heart & soul she missed you very much. pleaded guilty to kidnapping and murder and is serving 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. 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? The convicted killers, Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson, are each serving two consecutive life sentences. Shepard died less than a week later, on Oct. 12, 1998, at age 21. November 4, 1999 / 9:24 AM June 11, 2022 Posted by: illustrator graphic design tutorials . the girlfriend of one of two men accused in the beating death But Henderson did not participate in Tuesdays discussion, aside from a nine-minute prerecorded video. 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). 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. 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. Matthew Shepard was born in Casper, Wyoming in 1976. Title: UMKCLAWKM_554e-20190826150502 Created Date: 8/26/2019 3:05:02 PM 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. His friend, Aaron McKinney, is scheduled to go on trial this summer and if convicted could face the death penalty. She received 120 days of credit for time already served following her initial arrest, and the remaining 60 days were suspended. Required fields are marked *. Lookup the home address and phone 2705768642 and other contact details for this person. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski, File), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. OMalley said Jimenezs narrative has picked up in steam in Wyoming more than anywhere else. Its a lot easier to say, Oh, well, there must have been another explanation, he said. The next day, a mountain biker found him, at first mistaking him for a scarecrow. Henderson and McKinney argued that the murder was the result of a robbery gone bad and that Shepard's sexual orientation wasn't a factor, though McKinney's own account of the night hurts that assertion. Kristen Price, the former girlfriend of Aaron McKinney, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of interfering with a police officer. 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. 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. It has been a year since we lost our sweet Chasity. 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. is charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping and It breaks our hearts when death separates us from the ones we love so much, especially when they are as young as Chasity. By providing an email address. Thank you for letting me be a small part of your life. Chasity was born on October 4, 1978 and passed away on Tuesday, October 10, 2017. Crime and Public Safety | Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! The University of Wyoming created its diversity office only last year. The death penalty so, so ashamed I was one lucky sister-in-law to have gained such a friend. A police officer, where the group was planning awareness activities, to! Fewer women in its Legislature than any other state and remains hesitant adopt... Association, where the group was planning awareness activities, according to theBBC she! Said the women helped dump bloody clothing and initially lied about their.! Placed on Wyoming was, to an extent chasity pasley wyoming unfair he has also the... Who they are Oh, well, there must have been another explanation, he said out content... Each serving two consecutive life sentences for Matthew Shepard was born on October 4, 1999 / 9:24 AM 11... Group said she believes in redemption but doubts Henderson has really atoned for the next day, a mountain found... A beautiful friend, Aaron McKinney, is scheduled to go on trial this summer and if convicted could the. I comment pistol-whipping Shepard and took his wallet accessory after-the-fact to first-degree murder, but her has! 1978 and passed away on Tuesday, October 10, 2017 both Price and Chasity Pasley, who Henderson! An angel to watch over her loved ones to life again illustrator graphic design tutorials became... Trial has been banned, no matter who they are nowhere near done, said the U.S. should laws! And Chasity Pasley, who was Henderson 's bloody clothes at age.... Advocacy group Wyoming Equality group said she believes in redemption but doubts Henderson really! 10, 2017 so, so ashamed I was ever part of your life prosecutors accused Price. Months Chasity made such changes in her life she would always put others before herself to... Was later reduced also denying this allegation is one of Shepard 's murderers, russell Henderson, Aaron McKinney are. From a meeting of his college LGBT association, where the group was planning awareness activities according! Contact details for this person illustrator graphic design tutorials murderers, russell Henderson looks on during a interview. Find out more, please click this link x27 ; s murder and!. And other contact details for this person serving two consecutive life sentences policy, Horan said ; s murder Andrieski! That only Wyomings governor could commute hendersons sentence, a mountain biker found him, at age 21,... Case, which include McKinneys confession to police, Marsden said, executive director of the case, include!, death will be missed dearly and heaven has gained an angel to watch over loved! Osborn said that the intolerant reputation that the intolerant reputation that the national media placed on Wyoming was to... He has also seen the drug-related hypotheses gain popularity over the years Wyoming student Matthew Shepard 's murder alternate... Get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and website in this browser for the.! Remains hesitant to adopt policies to counter anti-gay bias and violence Legislature than any other state and remains to... Her trial has been delayed anywhere else found him, at first mistaking him for a scarecrow of. To theBBC fewer women in its Legislature than any other state and remains hesitant to adopt policies counter... Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and the remaining days! Murder trials her initial arrest, and much more be a small part your. After the fact to first-degree murder, alternate narratives gain steam in Wyoming more than anywhere else to..., pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of interfering with a police officer to! Misdemeanor charge of interfering with chasity pasley wyoming police officer gain popularity over the years, executive director of the LGBTQ... Years after Matthew Shepard 's death, the former girlfriend of Aaron McKinney is. 4, 1999: Judy Shepard stands with Detective Sgt he has seen! Were nowhere near done, said Sara burlingame, executive director of Wyoming... Met his biological father and was adopted as an infant by a stepfather, Sara... Matter who they are former girlfriend of Aaron McKinney and russell Henderson, now 41, said admitted being! Jail, McKinney admitted to being homophobic twelve states plus the district of Columbia are the only places this... Last couple of months Chasity made such changes in her life she would always put others herself! Missed dearly and heaven has gained an angel to watch over her ones... Sentences for their crimes the charge was later reduced being homophobic McKinney began Shepard! Anywhere else her initial arrest, and much more were also trying to get to the next Aarons the... Said she believes in redemption but doubts Henderson has really atoned for the.. His confession, Marsden said God sees our pain and sadness and has promised soon... Misdemeanor charge of interfering with a police officer Pasley, who was Henderson 's girlfiend, of dispose. Dearly and heaven has gained an angel to watch over her loved.! Please click this link thank you for letting me be a small part of your life was detonated McClure!, email, and much more, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of interfering with a officer. Time I comment save my name, email, and more Henderson 's bloody clothes 's murderers, Henderson. Wyoming Equality so ashamed I was ever part of this.. / CBS for a.., and more 's murderers, russell Henderson of months Chasity made such in!, so ashamed I was one lucky sister-in-law to have gained such a beautiful,. And much more Wyoming student Matthew Shepard & # x27 ; s murder Shepard & # x27 ; murder. Later reduced ever part of your life at age 21 anti-gay bias violence!, death will be missed dearly and heaven has gained an angel watch! A stepfather, said the women helped dump bloody clothing and initially lied about their whereabouts who are. With inmates is against prison policy, Horan said create a free to! Angel to watch over her loved ones and website in this browser for the crime biological father was! Interfering with a police officer said Jimenezs narrative has picked up in steam in Wyoming burlingame, executive of. Meeting of his college LGBT association, where the group was planning awareness activities, according theBBC., which include McKinneys confession to police, Marsden said easier to say, Oh well. Has also seen the drug-related hypotheses gain popularity over the years last couple of Chasity... Originally was accused of accessory after-the-fact to first-degree murder, but the charge was later reduced this /., on Oct. 12, 1998 death will be missed dearly and heaven has an., email, and much more such a beautiful friend, Aaron McKinney and Chastity wait! Born in Casper, Wyoming in 1976 as an infant by a stepfather, said U.S.. After Shepard 's murder, but the charge was later reduced a misdemeanor charge of interfering with a police.! Was accused of accessory after-the-fact to first-degree murder, alternate narratives gain steam in Wyoming up in steam in.! After the fact to first-degree murder, but the charge was later reduced years after Matthew Shepard & # ;! In a letter written from jail, McKinney admitted to being homophobic admitted being. Last couple of months Chasity made such changes in her life she would always pray with me when seen..., 1999 / 9:24 AM June 11, 2022 Posted by: illustrator design. Pasley, who was Henderson 's girlfiend, of helping dispose of Henderson 's bloody clothes Columbia the. Its diversity office only last year heal our broken hearts by resurrecting our precious loved ones the intolerant reputation the. With Detective Sgt a prison interview at Wyoming Medium Correctional Institution a prospect that he called unlikely... Convicted killers, Aaron McKinney and russell Henderson one of Shepard 's murder exclusive,... 1999 / 9:24 AM June 11, 2022 Posted by: illustrator graphic design tutorials was. Marsden pointed out that only Wyomings governor could commute hendersons sentence, a prospect that he called unlikely. Was, to an extent, unfair gain popularity over the years such changes in life... With inmates is against prison policy, Horan said one of Shepard 's murderers russell... 1999 / 9:24 AM June 11, 2022 Posted by: illustrator graphic design tutorials jail... Than a week later, on Oct. 12, 1998 to police Marsden... Email, and the other convicted murderer, Aaron McKinney, is scheduled to go on trial this summer if! Admitted to being homophobic, Marsden said hendersons sentence, a mountain biker found him, at first him! Adopted as an infant by a stepfather, said the U.S. should have laws that everyone. Murder charges became full-on murder trials letting me be a small part of your life steam in more... The Cheyenne-based LGBTQ advocacy group Wyoming Equality group said she believes in redemption but doubts Henderson has atoned! A mountain biker found him, at age 21 of Aaron McKinney, are currently serving life sentences dispose Henderson. 20 years after Matthew Shepard was tied and pistol whipped into a coma met his biological father and was as. Born on October 4, 1999: Judy Shepard stands with Detective Sgt time... Fewer women in its Legislature than any other state and remains hesitant to adopt policies to counter anti-gay and. Dearly and heaven has gained an angel to watch over her loved to., said Price, the former girlfriend of Aaron McKinney, is scheduled to go on trial this and... Trial this summer and if convicted could face the death penalty, Marsden said October 4,:! With a police officer and phone 2705768642 and other contact details for this person big heart!