Matthew Shepard, 21, the gay University of Wyoming student who was savagely
attacked Thursday night, October 8, burned, and left to die for up to 18
hours tied to a wooden fence outside Laramie, 30 miles northwest of Cheyenne,
was pronounced dead Monday morning, October 12, 1998.
"With a profound sense of sorrow we mourn the death of Matthew Shepard,"
said HRC Executive Director Elizabeth Birch. "We are deeply saddened by this
tragedy and we offer our thoughts and prayers to the Shepard family."
Shepard died while on life support. He had been in a coma since he was found
on Thursday by passing motorcyclists. Wyoming's Republican Governor Jim
Geringer called on state legislators to adopt laws to deter crimes against
lesbians and gay men. "We are calling on all the people to have a renewed
discussion to find out what we might do to strengthen our laws," said Gov.
Geringer to the Associated Press. I'm open to any suggestion that we might
bring to our legislature."
Two men, Russell Arthur Henderson, 21, and Aaron James McKinney, whose age
is unconfirmed, were charged with kidnaping aggravated robbery, and attempted
first degree murder and held on $100,000 bond. University of Wyoming student,
Chastity Vera Pasley, 20 and Kristen Leann Price, 18, were charged as
accessories to the crime. Price was released on $30,000 bond and Pasely is
still in jail in lieu of the same amount of money.
"Matthew was not very large, at 5'2" 110 pounds, but he had a big heart and
was extremely brave," said HRC Political Director Winnie Stachelberg. "He had
the courage to live honestly and openly in less than ideal circumstances.
Unfortunately, like many gay men and lesbians, there is often a high price
to pay for living a life of dignity and respect."
Courtesy of the Human Rights Campaign
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風有風的樣子; 雲有雲的樣子;
在旅行中的我, 也有他自己的樣子...
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