An ID special titled The Matthew Shepard Story: An American Hate Crime retraces the notorious 1998 murder case that revolutionized gay rights in America. The documentary premieres this Monday, October 9, 2023, at 9:00 pm ET.
Disclaimer: This article mentions murder, hate-crime, and other sensitive subjects. Readers’ discretion is advised.
Shepard, a 21-year-old openly gay university student, became the victim of a vicious assault twenty-five years ago in Wyoming. His slaying remains one of the most savage hate crimes in the history of the country. The highly publicized case led to the conviction of two roofing workers, Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson. The latter pleaded guilty to charges while a jury found McKinney guilty on multiple counts. Both received consecutive life sentences, respectively.
According to the Department of Corrections, McKinney is currently serving his sentence at the Wyoming State Penitentiary and Henderson remains incarcerated at the Wyoming Medium Correctional Institution.
McKinney and Henderson Pretended To Be Gay To Lure Their Target and Rob Him
Confessions made by the two suspects in Matthew Shepard‘s slaying suggested that they pretended to be gay to win his confidence. The 21-year-old had walked into the gay-friendly Fireside Lounge on the evening of October 6, 1998, where he met Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson.
BBC reported that the latter two were roofing workers and planned to act like gays after learning Shepard’s sexuality. Shortly after midnight, they planned on luring him into their pick-up truck because they wanted to rob him. Once aboard, the duo robbed the young man of his wallet, keys, and shoes and beat him.
The entire ordeal concluded after McKinney and Henderson drove the truck to a dirt-road. There, they further assaulted and pistol-whipped the university student and tied him to a log fence in a field outside of Laramie. The attackers also kicked him in between the legs before leaving him to die in the frigid cold.
A biker found the victim barely clinging to life about 18 hours later, following which he was rushed to the hospital. His parents, who were in Saudi Arabia at the time, rushed to the Colorado hospital to see their son who never regained consciousness. He died five days later, i.e., October 12, 1998.
Where are Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson Currently?
BBC reported that the suspects faced robbery, kidnapping, and murder related charges and were each eligible for the death penalty. Then, in April 1999, Henderson pleaded guilty, receiving two consecutive life sentences. He also agreed to testify against McKinney, who was scheduled to stand trial later that year in November. A jury then convicted the latter following which a judge handed him a similar sentence without the possibility of parole.
According to the Wyoming Department of Corrections, both convicted killers are currently serving two consecutive life sentences. McKinney is currently serving his sentence at the Wyoming State Penitentiary. Meanwhile, Henderson remains incarcerated at the Wyoming Medium Correctional Institution.
