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. 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/Rick Bowmer), 1998: 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. I will keep Chasity always in my heart, I wont find another like her . His murderers were both given consecutive life sentences, although they weren't charged with a hate crime. He later died. 20,000 people may have been exposed to measles at Asbury University revival Im so, so ashamed I was ever part of this.. Matthew had just come from a meeting of his college LGBT association, where the group was planning awareness activities, according to theBBC. of a gay Wyoming college student told jurors Thursday of how Some of it, though, comes from not wanting to bear the blame for the crime, he said. She is also watching out for her Ashton and mother and other loved ones left here in mortality. LARAMIE, Wyo. 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). He helps imprisoned hospice patients and trains shelter dogs so they can be adopted. I explain in five minutes or so, Here are the many reasons that I dont believe that. Brandon Foster is the Star-Tribune's managing editor. I think he has atoned. I dont like to spend a lot of time on them. 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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. Ed Andrieski, AP Dave. The Majority of her career life she worked in the education field and became the Dean of Students at Utah Career College. Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. I am so sorry for your loss. 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. Hate Crimes Are Designed To Strike Fear In The Broader Community, Heather Heyer's Mother Recalls The Neo-Nazi Rally That Took Her Life, Harrowing Audio From Portland Train Attack Reveals Depth of Christian's Hate, Extremists Sometimes Hide Behind The First Amendment. Chasity was born on October 4, 1978 and passed away on Tuesday, October 10, 2017. #inline-recirc-item--id-91eb6236-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d, #right-rail-recirc-item--id-91eb6236-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d { (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). 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. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. She worked in the campus activities center and had helped Jim . According to Biography, Shepard was remembered as being kind, sensitive, and quiet when he was a kid. In this Oct. 9, 1998 file photo, from left are Russell Henderson, Aaron McKinney, and Chasity Pasley, three suspects in the beating to death of gay University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard wait to be arraigned in Laramie, Wyo. Only Henderson, McKinney, and Chasity Pasley were charged that day; separate proceedings had been arranged for Kristen Price. 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. She attended Laramie High School in Laramie, Wyoming and later obtained a degree from Stevens Henager College. In April,. she learned of the attack and then helped to cover it up. ``I needed to face up to what I did, Pasley said during her sentencing hearing. I dont agree with the gay lifestyle, he said. 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. consecutive life sentences. McKinney and Henderson are each serving two consecutive life sentences. Prosecutors accused both Price and Chasity Pasley, who was Henderson's girlfiend, of helping dispose of Henderson's bloody clothes. Mckinney was sentenced to two consecutive life prison sentences last week for the October 1998 murder of 21-year-old Shepard. Still, he insisted, neither he nor Aaron McKinney was motivated by anti-gay hatred when they offered Shepard a ride home from a bar. . One of the convicted killers, Russell Henderson, now 41, said the U.S. should have laws that protect everyone, no matter who they are. (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. 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. Lookup the home address and phone 2705768642 and other contact details for this person. the girlfriend of one of two men accused in the beating death as a prosecution witness in the trial of Aaron McKinney, who As Henderson drove, McKinney began pistol-whipping Shepard and took his wallet. Shepard was lured out of a Wyoming bar, pistol whipped and tied to a fence in freezing temperatures. Due to overcrowding at Wyomings maximum-security prison in Rawlins, Henderson and McKinney have served their time in multiple states. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! Chasity Vera Haines (Pasley) passed away on October 10, 2017. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. According to the Associated Press, she was sentenced to 15 months to 2 years in prison. McKinney and Henderson trying "to get their stories straight" I try to address those quickly and kind of move on, Osborn said. He died less than a week later, on October 12, 1998, at age 21. Chasity had a big loving heart she would always put others before herself. Henderson reiterated that he was deeply sorry for Shepards murder. LARAMIE, Wyo. 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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. fence post outside Laramie and left to die. Hendersons remarks dont change the facts of the case, which include McKinneys confession to police, Marsden said. He died less than a week later, on Oct. 12, 1998, at age 21. LARAMIE, Wyo. Pasley said she lied because "I was protecting someone I Its a lot easier to say, Oh, well, there must have been another explanation, he said. 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. pleaded guilty to kidnapping and murder and is serving I think he has atoned. The next day, a mountain biker found him. 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.. Pasley testified aggravated robbery in the slaying of Shepard. She was someone Jim Osborn knew well and liked. / CBS. Prosecutor Cal Rerucha said Monday that she was a valuable witness for the prosecution against McKinney. Osborn attributes some of that mentality to peoples desire to be in the know. His friend, Aaron McKinney, is scheduled to go on trial this summer and if convicted could face the death penalty. Casper is known for its oil industry, which Shepard's father Dennis was part of. Im so, so ashamed I was ever part of this, Henderson said. We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Celebration of Life Shane studied journalism at the University of Missouri and worked at newspapers there before moving to Wyoming. Pasley, Hendersons girlfriend, was sentenced to 18 months, of which she served 6 months. arrived outside the apartment she shared with Henderson. 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 . Follow Mead Gruver at https://twitter.com/meadgruver, CORRECTS SPELLING OF PASLEY'S FIRST NAME TO CHASITY INSTEAD OF CHASTITY - FILE - 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 wait to be arraigned in Laramie, Wyo. I think about Matthew every single day of my life, Henderson said, according to the Associated Press. 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. October 28, 1999 She said she had misgivings about getting involved and was Price originally was accused of accessory after-the-fact to first-degree murder, but the charge was later reduced. He covers courts and law enforcement agencies in Natrona County and across the state. A Wyoming man pleaded guilty yesterday to the horrific killing of gay college student Matthew Shepard - garnering a life sentence for the crime that shocked the nation. 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. Linda(Candi),Angela & Andrew I want you all to know Chasity meet the world to me. 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 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. Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. 20 years after Matthew Shepard's murder, alternate narratives gain steam in Wyoming. Matthew Shepard was born in Casper, Wyoming in 1976. Were nowhere near done, said Sara Burlingame, executive director of the Cheyenne-based LGBTQ advocacy group Wyoming Equality. Flying bug found at Walmart turns out to be rare Jurassic-era insect Nobody wants to believe that we grow children that are capable of hate and violence. After Shepard's death, the attempted murder charges became full-on murder trials. Henderson has taken a victim empathy course, and even written a letter of apology to Judy Shepard, Matthew's mother,Belbersaid. The night I did it, I did have hatred for homosexuals, McKinney told Pierotti,according to the Denver Post. Marie Maxfield. 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. The murder of college student Matthew Shepard shocked the nation on multiple levels. By this point, it was the early morning hours of October 7, and McKinney and Henderson drove Shepard to a rural area where they robbed him and beat him with the butt of a pistol, before tying him to a fence and leaving him behind. Dear Abby: Why do they imply my husband is a freak? Chasity Pasley, Mr. Henderson's girlfriend, pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact. The argument was rejected. He died five days later. I love you Chasity until we see each other again. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. 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.. Henderson tied Shepard to the fence after McKinney told him to do it, he said. Henderson, now 41, said the U.S. should have laws that protect everyone, no matter who they are. OMalley said Jimenezs narrative has picked up in steam in Wyoming more than anywhere else. Chasity Pasley, 21, is serving an 18-month prison sentence When two roofing workers beat a young gay man and left him to die in Wyoming, the gruesome crime quickly reverberated around the U.S. and turned the college student into a powerful symbol of the quest for acceptance and equal rights. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski, File). 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. But were also trying to get to the next Aarons and the next Russells.. Chasity Vera Pasley is a resident of UT. ``I cant bring him back. Were nowhere near done, said Sara Burlingame, executive director of the Cheyenne-based LGBTQ advocacy group Wyoming Equality. Chasity Vera Pasley, 20, cried repeatedly as she was sentenced to 15 months to two years in prison for being an accessory after the fact to first-degree murder. is charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping and Pasley said she first learned of the beating listening to Your email address will not be published. She married Randy Haines and her greatest accomplishment was the birth of her son Ashton Lemar Nephi Haines on August 13, 2008. As Henderson drove, McKinney began pistol-whipping Shepard and took his wallet. 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.. There, Shepard met Romaine Patterson through a teacher. 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. It has been a year since we lost our sweet Chasity. The following morning, Pasley testified, eight detectives These last couple of months Chasity made such changes in her life she would always pray with me when I seen her. McKinney is now in a Mississippi prison and not agreeing to interview requests, according to the Wyoming Department of Corrections. Henderson, now 41, said the U.S. should have laws that protect everyone, no matter who they are. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. And so, for the conspiracy theorists out there, I suppose its good reading. Web posted at: 6:23 p.m. EDT (2223 GMT). 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. Livestreaming interviews with inmates is against prison policy, Horan said. 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. According to the Matthew Shepard Foundation, Shepard was chosen to be a peer counselor at the school and was known to fight for the acceptance of everyone. Please try again. October 18, 2017 at 11:00 AM 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. 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. (Zeina Barkawi/The Matthew Shepard Foundation via AP). 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. She said Henderson tried to reassure her, saying, "It's all 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. 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. In April, Russell Henderson pleaded guilty to first degree murder and was sentenced to two consecutive life terms. the slaying of Matthew Shepard, who was beaten, tied to a McKinney repeatedly used homosexual slurs in his confession, Marsden said. From left . The killers girlfriends Chasity Vera Pasley, 20, and Kristen Leann Price, 18 were charged with being accessories after the fact. She was the last of four defendants arrested following the 1998 beating death of gay University of Wyoming freshman Matthew Shepard. Patterson was a lesbian, known for being very outgoing, and hit it off with Shepard, who had known about his own sexuality for years and came out to his mother while still in high school. "We need to do this for Matthew and for everybody else and to keep this from happening again.". 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. 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. Dont believe that imprisoned hospice patients and trains shelter dogs so they can be adopted that she was kid. Face up to what I did, Pasley said during her sentencing hearing email notifications are only once. Mckinney is now in a Mississippi prison and not agreeing to interview requests according! With being accessories after the fact other state and remains hesitant to adopt policies chasity pasley wyoming counter anti-gay bias and.... Trying to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and even a. Life prison sentences last week for the October 1998 murder of College student Matthew Shepard 's death, attempted. 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