October 12, 1998 - Matthew Shepard Killed
Matthew Shepard, a 21-year-old University of Wyoming student, dies after being severely beaten and tied to a fence near Laramie. Indications are that Shepard was attacked, in part, because he was homosexual. The case will attract national attention and interest in tougher hate crime legislation. Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson will be sentenced to two consecutive life terms each in the murder.
Related resources:
- Matthew Shepard Foundation
- Hate Crimes (FindLaw)
- "New Details Emerge in Matthew Shepard Murder" (ABC News)
