at McKinney's apartment that night. She is also watching out for her Ashton and mother and other loved ones left here in mortality. He had stayed behind the day the clothes ", However, his codefendant, Russell Henderson, has a different perspective on the heinous murder the two committed. A pipe bomb was detonated near McClure Street in Laramie. Pasley said she was sorry for helping to dispose of bloody clothing her boyfriend, Russell Henderson, wore during the Oct. 7 attack on Shepard, 21. Pence won't commit to supporting Trump if he's the nominee He covers courts and law enforcement agencies in Natrona County and across the state. McKinney slouched forward at the defense table during June 11, 2022 Posted by: illustrator graphic design tutorials . Chasity loved spending time with her son, family, and friends. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer), 1998: Matthew Shepard. The University of Wyoming created its diversity office only last year. 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. She worked in the campus activities center and had helped Jim . 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. She received 120 days of credit for time already served following her initial arrest, and the remaining 60 days were suspended. The killers girlfriends Chasity Vera Pasley, 20, and Kristen Leann Price, 18 were charged with being accessories after the fact. Wyoming remains deeply defensive about the idea that Shepard was targeted because he was gay, Burlingame said. He died less than a week later, on Oct. 12, 1998, at age 21. Cheyenne owned by her mother. "I think about Matthew every single day of my life. Chasity Pasley, 23, could have been sentenced to 3 years in prison and fined up to $3,000 on her guilty plea to being an accessory in the October 1998 slaying of Matthew Shepard, 21. . 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. I think about Matthew every single day of my life. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski, File), Nov. 4, 1999: Judy Shepard stands with Detective Sgt. She was charged with being an accessory after As tragic as it is, and as unfortunate as it is, and as hard as it is for Matthews family, and for my family, for all of us, to go through, it opened up all of us to be better people and really think about who we are, Henderson said of Shepards death in a prison interview Tuesday with The Associated Press. I dont like to spend a lot of time on them. 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. According to Oxygen, Aaron McKinney has never displayed even an ounce of remorse for his crimes, even doubling down. I try to address those quickly and kind of move on, Osborn said. Ed . While Shepard became a symbol of the movement toward equality and laws, the state of Wyoming, where the murder took place, remains one of a handful to have not passed laws pertaining to crimes in which a victim's identity, including their sexual identity, served as a motivating factor. After Shepard's death, the attempted murder charges became full-on murder trials. 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. Two decades after Matthew Shepard was bludgeoned, tied to a rail fence and left to die on the cold high prairie, the emotions stirred up by his slaying linger in Wyoming, which still struggles with its tarnished identity and resists changes sought by the LGBTQ community. Im so, so ashamed I was ever part of this, Henderson said. Shepard's parents started the Matthew Shepard Foundation to honor their son and to help parents understand and accept their children who may be questioning their sexuality. 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. She said her organization will continue its unapologetic advocacy, reaching out to churches, businesses, legislators and regular citizens about their policies and attitudes. Wyoming remains deeply defensive about the idea that Shepard was targeted because he was gay, said Sara Burlingame, executive director of the Cheyenne-based LGBTQ advocacy group Wyoming Equality. Scott Adams faces 'consequence culture' as U.S. newspapers drop Dilbert, Tom Cruise's 'ditching' of Suri showcased by Judd Apatow's 'co-parenting' joke, ex-Scientology exec says. Meanwhile, Chasity Pasley was found guilty of helping the two discard bloody clothing belonging to Shepard. 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. Nobody wants to believe that we grow children that are capable of hate and violence. Theres nothing that was in the investigation that indicated that McKinney and Henderson were under the influence of anything other than a little bit of beer the night that they killed Matt. A memorial celebration of . Prosecutors accused both Price and Chasity Pasley, who was Henderson's girlfiend, of helping dispose of Henderson's bloody clothes. She said she lied during questioning later at the Laramie Marsden pointed out that only Wyomings governor could commute Hendersons sentence, a prospect that he called super unlikely. Burlingame of the Wyoming Equality group said she believes in redemption but doubts Henderson has really atoned for the crime. Im so, so ashamed I was ever part of this.. Staggering snowfall in California mountains leaves residents trapped for days Please subscribe to keep reading. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski, File). She is survived by her son Ashton, mother Linda (Candy), father Rodney (Donna), Sister Angela (Sylvester), brother Andrew and sister Vera Pasley, many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. According to Biography, McKinney would later state that he thought Shepard was dead when they left him, but that wasn't the case; Shepard was still alive, albeit in a coma. loved. To me, it was ridiculous.. He died in a hospital five days later. Henderson and McKinney are serving life sentences for Matthew Shepard's murder. According to the Williams Institute at UCLA's School of Law, this is considered an example of a "gay panic" defense, often used in cases where an LGBTQ person is the murder victim. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. The event was billed as an examination of what the media got wrong in its coverage of Shepards murder. I am so sorry for your loss. Russell Henderson, Aaron McKinney and Chastity Pasleywait to be arraigned Oct. 9, 1998. Henderson described himself as a follower of others, including the more charismatic McKinney, and said he was afraid to lose face by doing more to prevent the crime or just going home. He later died. November 4, 1999 / 9:24 AM However, McKinney did speak with actor Greg Pierotti in 2009, for a revival of The Laramie Project, a play centering around the fallout from Shepards murder,according toToday.com. I know she is moving forward in her existence and making strides in her own eternal progress. At no time did we know he was gay until he tried to get on me.. Henderson, who pleaded guilty to avoid a possible death sentence, is serving his time at a medium-security prison in Torrington, a quiet farming-and-ranching town a few miles from the Nebraska line. Osborn said that the intolerant reputation that the national media placed on Wyoming was, to an extent, unfair. Related Articles Title: UMKCLAWKM_554e-20190826150502 Created Date: 8/26/2019 3:05:02 PM Even now, people associate Laramie with the murder. To find out more, please click this link. concussion he suffered during a fight he and Henderson had Rob DeBree as her husband Dennis reads a statement to the media regarding Aaron McKinney's plea bargain in the murder of Shepard's son Matthew, at the Albany County Courthouse, in Laramie, Wyo. Please know we are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and always have a funeral director on call to help answer any questions or concerns. ___. She said she had misgivings about getting involved and was as a prosecution witness in the trial of Aaron McKinney, who Trending News Wyoming remains hesitant to adopt policies to counter anti-gay bias and violence. Prosecutors accused both Price and Chasity Pasley, who was Henderson's girlfiend, of helping dispose of Henderson's bloody clothes. chasity pasley wyoming obituary. Twenty-oneyears after beating Shepard into a coma and leaving him hanging in near-freezing temperatures from a wooden fence for 18 hours, McKinney and Henderson both remain in prison. girlfriend, Kristen Price, drove to Cheyenne to dump display: block; He helped investigate the Matthew Shepard case and is now the Albany County sheriff. 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. 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. Pasley was one of two women accused of helping McKinney and Henderson dispose of Henderson bloody clothes. October 28, 1999 fence post outside Laramie and left to die. Im so, so ashamed I was ever part of this, Henderson said. From left . She said her organization will continue its unapologetic advocacy, reaching out to churches, businesses, legislators and regular citizens about their policies and attitudes. (John 6:40) I hope the beautiful memories of Chasity and these promises from God comfort you in the days to come. Police said the women helped dump bloody clothing and initially lied about their whereabouts. LARAMIE, Wyo. If you have recently experienced a loss we offer our most heartfelt condolences. Sometimes Chasity goes by various nicknames including Chasity V Pasley, Chasity V Pasley, Chasity Haines, Chasity Vera Haines and Chasity V Haines. Laramie did not pass an ordinance barring discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity until 2015. But were also trying to get to the next Aarons and the next Russells. /kga. Both Henderson and McKinney were found guilty of murdering Shepard and were both sentenced to life in prison. In a letter written from jail, McKinney admitted to being homophobic. Henderson admitted tying Shepard to a fence and said he did nothing to stop the beating. Associated Press Writer Brady McCombs contributed to this report. attack and knew nothing of it. Chasity Pasley currently lives in Salt Lake City, UT; in the past Chasity has also lived in West Jordan UT and Lompoc CA. Celebration of Life Woman Sentenced for Role in Attack. The pair lured Shepard outside the bar and abducted him. She was born on October 4, 1978 in Salt Lake City to Rodney Pasley and Linda Larsen. Henderson pleaded guilty last month to kidnapping and felony murder and was sentenced to consecutive life prison terms. According to the Associated Press, she was sentenced to 15 months to 2 years in prison. Henderson reiterated that he was deeply sorry for Shepards murder. Known as the Equality State, Wyoming got its nickname for being the first to let women vote. . display: none; Henderson and McKinney are serving life sentences for Matthew Shepard's murder. (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. Top McCarthy aide, House Oversight chair each met with Ashli Babbitt's mother You have permission to edit this article. 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. The killers' girlfriends Chasity Vera Pasley, 20, and Kristen Leann Price, 18 were charged with being accessories after the fact. Call 896 6000. We're not gay, and we're going to jack you up." Henderson, now 41, said the U.S. should have laws that protect everyone, no matter who they are. She said her organization will continue its unapologetic advocacy, reaching out to churches, businesses, legislators and regular citizens about their policies and attitudes. 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. "We have been assured that Mr. Clinton and Mr. Gore are firmly behind this legislation, and that they're going to do everything they can to see that it is passed," said Dennis Shepard. Dennis Shepard's career led the entire family to Dharan, Saudi Arabia for a job. 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. 525 Grand Ave #101, Laramie, WY 82070, lived here in 2002 : F. 3834 S 7120 W, West Valley City, UT 84128, lived here in 2001 $1,770: G. 3375 W 7800 S #134, West Jordan, UT 84088 Shepard, 21, a student at the University of Wyoming, was Pasley's testimony. 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. 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. The next day, a mountain biker found him. He faces the death penalty if convicted of murder. We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Twenty years after the brutal killing of Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyoming, one of the lead investigators in the case shared with the Coloradoan a letter sent between the suspects who were. The book came nearly a decade after a Jimenez-produced 20/20 segment that likewise featured McKinney denying bigotry played a role in his actions. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I dont agree with the gay lifestyle, he said. ``I needed to face up to what I did, Pasley said during her sentencing hearing. Then they left Shepard in the frigid darkness. According to a 2018 Associated Press story posted byThe Mercury News, Sara Burlingame of the advocacy group Wyoming Equality says that the state continues to fight insinuations that Shepard was murdered because he was gay. Matthew Shepards parents prepare to lay their son to rest at National Cathedral And so people were kind of desperate to latch onto any theory that was something other than hate.. 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. }, First published on November 4, 1999 / 9:24 AM. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski, File), Oct. 9, 1999 : A cross made of stones rests below the fence in Laramie, Wyo. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. It never was about us hating Matthew because of who he was.. A contradictory statement from McKinney indicates that Shepard didn't touch him, but looked like he was going to. I think he has atoned. 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. His murderers were both given consecutive life sentences, although they werent charged with a hate crime. Don't miss out on the latest news and information. In the letter, McKinney tells Henderson that, at trial, he wants his friend to blame everything on him even alleging that Henderson asked him to stop beating Shepard, and that he was drunk and pointing a cannon at his friend,according to the Coloradoan. Your email address will not be published. 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. Linda(Candi),Angela & Andrew I want you all to know Chasity meet the world to me. 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. As tragic as it is, and as unfortunate as it is, and as hard as it is for Matthews family, and for my family, for all of us, to go through, it opened up all of us to be better people and really think about who we are, Henderson said of Shepards death in a prison interview Tuesday with The Associated Press. Chasity Pasley, Mr. Henderson's girlfriend, pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact. LARAMIE, Wyo. 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. The judge prohibited the gay panic defense. The reasons why may be about more than money. 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 . 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. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! She was someone Jim Osborn knew well and liked. Much love. He was her world. She will be missed dearly and heaven has gained an angel to watch over her loved ones. Helping McKinney and Chastity Pasleywait to be arraigned Oct. 9, 1998, at age 21 I needed face! 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