Truth- News/Media
Some questions we asked ourselves were: What motivated these two men to do what they did? Was it hatred against gays? Was it an accident? Why did they do this to someone? Why Matthew Shepard? Were drugs and alcohol to blame?
ABC News interviewed the two killers. Both said hatred against gays was not the motivation. It was for money and drugs. Both killers received two consecutive life sentences in prison. McKinney was going to face the death penalty but made a deal to have the two life sentences to avoid it.
History of Russell Henderson
Russell Henderson was born to a teenage alcoholic mother and not father present. He witnessed his mother being beaten by boyfriends and was also assaulted himself.
History of Aaron McKinney
McKinney’s father was a long-haul driver and was rarely home. His mother was a nurse. Eventually his parents divorced. His mother later died due to a botched surgery. McKinney received a malpractice settlement of $100,000 which he spent most of it on cars and drugs.
The following story is from an interview done by ABC News with Aaron McKinney and his side of the story of what really happened. For the full article click here.
On October 6, 1998, the night of the crime, McKinney went out to rob a drug dealer (approximately $10,000 of methamphetamine). After several failed attempts, he was not able to fulfill his plan and headed to a nearby bar. Shepard was there and confronted McKinney and asked him for a ride because he was too drunk to drive home. McKinney agreed. Henderson took the wheel, all three men sitting in the front seats. Shepard reached over and grabbed McKinney’s leg. He quickly reacted at hit Shepard with his pistol. McKinney said, “I was getting ready to pull it on him anyway.” McKinney asked for his wallet. Matthew gave it to him with no hesitation. There was only $30 in it. McKinney continued to beat him. After tying Shepard to a fence and beating him some more, the plan was to burglarize Shepard’s apartment.
When asked if McKinney’s intentions were based on Matthew being gay he stated, “No. I did not. … I would say it wasn’t a hate crime. All I wanted to do was beat him up and rob him.”
Cal Rerucha, the prosecutor of the case said, “The methamphetamine just fueled to this point where there was no control. It was a horrible, horrible, horrible murder. It was a murder that was once again driven by drugs.
Did Aaron McKinney and Matthew Shepard know each other before these events occurred? Some say yes. Some say they were seen together at parties.
Another question that raises concern is, is McKinney Bisexual? O’Conner, a longtime friend on McKinney’s, said, “I know of an instance where he had a three-way, two guys and one gal, because he did it all with me. I know he is bisexual. There ain’t no doubt in my mind. He is bisexual.” McKinney denied these accusations.
New York Times
In an article in the New York Times entitled “Homophobia Often Found in School, Data Shows,” executive director of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, Kevin Jennings said, ''[p]eople would like to think that what happened to Matthew was an exception to the rule but, it was an extreme version of what happens in our schools on a daily basis.'' It also states that Matthew’s parents received almost 6,000 messages sending their “condolences.” The movie never mentions this act of kindness. The University of Wyoming set up funds to pass a bill against hate crimes. For the full story, click here.
In another article in the New York Times, entitled “Gay Man Dies From Attack, Fanning Outrage and Debate,” it is said that many believe that the way Matthew was tied to a fence was symbolic. Rebecca Isaac’s, director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force in Washington said, ''There is incredible symbolism about being tied to a fence. ''People have likened it to a scarecrow. But it sounded more like a crucifixion.'' For the full article, click here.
