Special Report

The two suspects in the case of a murdered UW student plead guilty in Albany County District Court Wednesday, Dec. 2.

Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson have been charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping and aggravated robbery.

The two allegedly kidnapped, robbed, beat and tied UW student Matthew Shepard to a fence. Shepard later died at Poudre Valley Hospital Oct. 12 in Ft. Collins, Colo.

First-degree murder carries a penalty of death or life imprisonment. Kidnapping carries a penalty of 20 years to life imprisonment and aggravated robbery carries a penalty of five to 25 years imprisonment.

Also during the hearing, Aaron McKinney's attorney Dion Curtis requested that Albany County District Court Judge Jeffery A. Donnell be removed as judge from the case. A ruling earlier in the day in Cheyenne reinstated a rule allowing counsel to request removal of a judge without disclosing reasons to the public.

Chastity Pasley and Kristen Price will be arraigned Dec. 9 for charges of accessory to the crimes.

One of the men accused in the death of a UW student waived his right to a preliminary hearing Nov. 9

Russell Henderson waived his Nov. 20 hearing on charges of first-degree murder, kidnapping a aggravated robbery of Matthew Shepard.

Henderson and Aaron McKinney allegedly beat Shepard because he was gay, robbed him and left him tied to a buck fence. Shepard later died as a result of injuries sustained during the beating.

Preliminary hearings for the suspects charged with the death of UW student Matthew Shepard, which were originally scheduled for Oct. 21, have been postponed until Nov. 19, for Aaron McKinney, 21, and Nov. 20, for Russell Henderson.

Albany County Court Judge Robert A. Castor agreed to postpone the hearings at the request of the public defenders assigned to the case.

McKinney and Henderson are being charged with first degree murder, kidnapping and aggravated robbery.

"I'm having a lot of mixed emotions. I am deeply saddened by the tragic events that have happened, but I am also very proud to be a member of this Senate and a UW student," ASUW Vice President, Stephanie Olson said.

ASUW President Jesus Rios said they have received plenty of e-mails and letters. "On TV and in the news we have seen some very negative things. We have also seen some very wonderful things," Rios said.

Olson is one of the members of ASUW who is currently on a committee to set up a memorial for UW student Shepard who died Oct. 12 from injuries sustained in an attack in Laramie. Plans have been made for a memorial service to be held next Monday at 7 p.m. in the Arts and Sciences Auditorium.

Volunteers from the Greek fraternities and sororities will be setting up tables in the Wyoming Union breezeway to collect money for Shepard's memorial fund. This will go directly to Fort Collins to the memorial fund the family endorses.

Rios encouraged the senate to write legislation to help families of UW students.

"I encourage legislation to start funds that could be used to fly in families if a student gets in a car crash or to pay for accommodations," Rios said. "This could be very helpful."

Also in the next couple of weeks ASUW will be looking into legislation such as the student fee proposal, the union renovation, union operation, intercollegiate athletics and student health.

There will be a blood drive Oct. 23. Speaker Larry Gardner will be telling horror stories from around the nation Oct. 28. There will be an anti-hate seminar Nov. 12 and there will be a swing band on campus Nov. 14.

The senate has also awarded $300 to Campus Ventures to put toward the cost of bringing in a Christian band.

Memorial services for Matthew Wayne Shepard, 21, of Laramie and Casper, will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 7th and Wolcott streets, Casper, with the Rev. Royce Brown officiating.

St. Matthew's Episcopal Cathedral in Laramie will hold a memorial service for Shepard concurrently with the Rev. Chuck Dennison officiating the services in Laramie.

Shepard died Oct. 12, 1998, at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, Colo., of injuries sustained in an attack in Laramie.

Born Dec. 1, 1976, in Casper, he was the oldest son of Judy Peck Shepard and Dennis Shepard.

While living in Casper, he attended Crest Hill Grade School, Dean Morgan Junior High and completed his sophomore year at Natrona County High School.

He attended the last two years of high school at the American School in Switzerland (TASIS) in Lugano, Switzerland, where he graduated in 1995. While at TASIS, he traveled extensively throughout Europe.

After graduation from high school, he attended Catawba College in Salisbury, N.C., and Casper College. He then moved to Denver, where he worked several jobs.

He was attending the University of Wyoming, majoring in political science/foreign relations with a minor in languages at the time of his death.

He enjoyed the theater and had parts in several Casper College and Stage III Theater plays. He was also quite active in politics and campaigned for several candidates.

He was selected as the student representative for the Wyoming Environmental Council.

He enjoyed soccer, swimming, running, camping, hunting, fishing and snow skiing, as well as dancing and theater.

Shepard is survived by his parents of Casper and Dhahran, Saudi Arabia; one brother, Logan; his paternal grandparents, Harry and Ruth Shepard; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

The family ask that contributions to the Matthew W. Shepard Memorial Fund be sent to First National Bank, account no 1926083, P.O. Box 578, Fort Collins, Colo., 80522.

The Laramie City Council unanimously approved a proclamation deploring the crime against Matthew Shepard and extending sympathy toward his family during a special meeting Tuesday night.

Mayor Trudy McCraken, said it's important to get away from sensationalism of this event and "get to the education of it."

Speaking as a citizen, McCraken said, "This community hasn't healed from past violence." There have been two other murders within the last year in Laramie. "This community is feeling great sorrow," McCraken said.

McCraken said these situations have been devastating for the community and the state, but it's also a time where individuals can examine themselves and turn a bad situation into something good.

Westboro Baptist Church, a group in Topeka, Kan., said in a press release, they will be demonstrating at the funeral for Matthew Shepard Oct. 17 and again in Laramie Oct. 19.

Their press releases, which can be viewed on the internet at www.godhatesfags.com, said the group will be demonstrating in Casper. The message on the release said Shepard's parents, the university and homosexuals are to blame for Shepard's death.

The church said, "The parents of Matthew Shepard did not bring him up in the nature and admonition of the Lord, or he would not have been trolling for perverted sex partners in a cheap Laramie bar..."

Westboro has also picketed Rev. Ronnie Floyd, chairman of the executive committee of the Southern Baptist Convention, for "providing the exclusion of churches which act to affirm, approve or endorse homosexual behavior." Another picketing scheduled for Oct. 18, will be at President Bill Clinton's church. They claim Clinton is "making a sadistic mockery of holy repentance and forgiveness - Clinton is working yet another scam for personal political gain."

Lt. Tim Banks, UWPD, said he, as well as Laramie Police, has been notified of the possible demonstration and will take action to ensure the peace. The Laramie Police would assist if needed. A firm plan of action has not been established.

"Our feeling as a city is that we don't condone this in any way, shape or form," Mayor Trudy McCraken said. McCraken was chosen to speak for the city on this matter. "We don't want a hot spot to occur," she said.

"This is no doubt a potentially volatile situation," Banks said. "What they want is to provoke an ugly situation."

Banks said the best policy of avoiding a violent situation with the demonstrators would be to "simply ignore them."

"Don't take the bait that these people present to provoke a response, that's what they want," he said. "Show these people that we have got class."

McCraken said it would be hypocritical to stop Westboro from picketing, because it would violate their first amendment rights. At the same time she said, "We (the city) still have the right to ensure public safety."

Charges were upgraded against suspects following Matthew Shepard's death early Monday morning.

Laramie residents Aaron McKinney, 22, and Russell Henderson, 21, appeared before the Albany County Court to have charges against them upgraded from attempted first degree murder to first degree murder Monday night.

UW student Chastity Pasley's charges were also upgraded from accessory after the fact for attempted first degree murder to accessory after the fact for first degree murder. Kristen Price, 18, faces the same charges.

Shepard died Monday morning of injuries following being beaten and strung to a fence. He was sent to the surgical-neurointensive care unit at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, Colo. He remained in critical condition with severe head injuries and never regained consciousness. Investigating officers attended the autopsy at the McKee Medical Center in Loveland, Colo., but could not release any information at this time.

The Albany County Sheriff's office would not comment on the possibility that this may be a hate crime or that Shepard was singled out because of his sexuality. From a legal standpoint, they believe that it is irrelevant.

"Homicide is homicide, kidnapping is kidnapping and robbery is robbery," a local official said.

Both McKinney and Henderson are being held without bond until it is determined whether the crimes will be deemed a capital offense. The two men could get life in prison or the death penalty for first degree homicide. It has not yet been determined whether the death penalty will be sought in this case.

McKinney and Henderson have been accused of picking up Shepard at the Fireside Bar, where Shepard confided to them that he was gay. He was then taken to an area near Sherman Hills subdivision and was tied to a fence, robbed, tortured and beaten with what officials believe was a pistol. Shepard's credit card, wallet, shoes and other personal items were taken and his address was obtained with the intent to burglarize his home. He was left for dead and found 18 hours later by two bicyclers.

Pasley and Price could receive a maximum of three years in prison, a $3,000 fine or both. Both are being held on a bond of $30,000 cash.

The women are accused of disposing bloody clothing belonging to Henderson, and hiding his bloody shoes at Pasley's mother's home. The girls were asked to provide an alibi for their boyfriends should they be questioned. They are accused of destroying evidence and hindering the apprehension of McKinney and Henderson.

Also, with the upgrades of charges, the preliminary hearings have been moved to Oct. 21 at 10 a.m. in the Albany County Court House. The preliminary hearing for Price has not been set.

Matthew Shepard died at 12:53 a.m. Monday at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, Colo. from injuries sustained during a beating Wednesday northeast of Laramie after being kidnapped and robbed.

Russell Arthur Henderson, 21, Aaron James McKinney, 22, Chastity Vera Pasley, 20, and Kristen Leann Price,18, have been arrested and charged in connection with the murder.

Henderson and McKinney allegedly kidnapped Shepard from the Fireside Bar Wednesday. They allegedly tied Shepard to a fence and beat him with the butt of a .357 magnum revolver and left him to die. Passing bicyclists found Shepard almost 18 hours after the beating.

Henderson and McKinney will appear for a preliminary hearing in District Court in Albany County Oct. 13 at 2 p.m. Pasley, who waived her arraignment, will appear in court Oct. 15 at 11 a.m.

According to documents read at the accuseds' arraignment, Shepard was beaten after he told the accused he was gay.

Shepard remained on full life support and in critical condition throughout the week at Poudre Valley's Neuroscience Center.

Monday morning Shepard's blood pressure began to drop. His family was called to his bedside, and an hour later he passed away.

Shepard's parents issued the following statement, "We would like to thank the hospital for their kindness, professionalism, sympathy, and respect for the needs of our family under this stressful time. We will always be grateful for their concern for Matthew." The family also asked Rulon Stacey, CEO and president of Poudre Valley Hospital, to express their "sincere gratitude to the entire world for the overwhelming response for their son."

In the statement, the family said they were grateful they did not have to decide whether or no to continue life support. The statement said Shepard was a kind and generous human being, and, in the last thing he did, he did not allow his family the guilt and stress of deciding to take him off of a life support system.

"We are heartsick to believe that anyone could have acted against him with such unimaginable violence, motivated by irrational personal prejudice and hate," UW President Philip Dubois said. "His suffering is over. Ours, as a community continues."

Russell Henderson had plans for himself that aren't much different from other young adults, a former girlfriend said.

"He said he wanted to make a million dollars by the time [he was] 26," Shaundra Arcuby said, who dated Henderson, 21, for a year before the relationship ended in 1994. Arcuby had been back in touch with Henderson for a month prior to his arrest last week for the murder of UW student Matthew Shepard. "And when he told me that, I just laughed but he told me, 'I am so serious.'"

Acurby also said Henderson wanted to have a child. "He just thought that he wanted to be a good dad," she said.

"One of the things that night, the last night that we talked, was that he just wanted to get out of Laramie," said Arcuby of the Friday evening before Shepard's beating. "I said: 'Oh, I love Laramie, I love it so much. It feels like hometown.' And the last thing I said was 'I love my place in this town' and he said 'I hate my place in this town. I feel like people are, you know, against me.'"

The two had discussed leaving Laramie, Arcuby said, but Henderson needed some time to break off his relationship with Chastity Vera Pasley, who is charged with accessory to murder after the fact in the Shepard case. "He definitely felt like he owed her something, that he had made a commitment to her," Arcuby said.

Pasley and Henderson had been dating for two years, and were currently living together, though Arcuby said from Henderson's side of the story, it didn't sound like a content relationship. "But at the same time, he wasn't like 'I hate her and I'm going to ditch her the first chance I get," Arcuby said. "I think he does love her."

Though her friends say she is in denial, Arcuby said she is having a rough time accepting the facts of the case.

"I'm having a hard time believing it was even about Matt Shepard being gay," Arcuby said. "I personally don't believe that was what it was about.

"I mean, this was a guy that I dated for a year. Never was he violent to me or around me," she said.

Shawn Shields, 23, and Kevin Janesofsky, 29, who were friends with Henderson from 1992 to '93 while working at Taco Bell, said he had a tendency of being a follower.

"He was just the type of person that he'd go along with whatever a person said, even though it was probably against his better judgment," Shields said.

The two said they were surprised with the charges brought against Henderson, whom they had also seen the weekend before the murder.

"Even to this day I didn't think he was a violent person like that," Janesofsky said.

"I think it's a heinous crime," Arcuby said. "I feel bad for any of [Shepard's] friends, for any of his family. Definitely. But I definitely feel like there's an aura around town that's like, '[the suspects] did it, don't worry about a trial, it's over.' And I think his family just really wants to say, 'Hey, all his friends aren't out the door. They're still friends, still backing up. His family is backing him up.'"

Though she went to visiting hours Sunday, Arcuby was not able to get in and talk to Henderson. But she was able to see him from a distance. "I was thinking, 'Ok, you know, I'll be able to tell.' And looking at him," Arcuby said, "he was just the same old Russell, I mean since I've known him, since he was 16, he's the same guy."

Oct. 12, 1998 - University of Wyoming President Philip L. Dubois on the death of Matthew Shepard

I am deeply saddened by this morning's news that Matthew Shepard died today without having gained consciousness from the terrible, fatal beating he received last week. Our thoughts, now, are with Matt's mom and his dad, his brother, and all of Matt's friends and fellow students.

We are heartsick to believe that anyone could have acted against him with such unimaginable violence, motivated by irrational personal prejudice and hate. His suffering is over. Ours, as a community continues.

This tragedy has tested our endurance and our sense of community. But, instead of being torn apart by fear, we have been brought together in unity and in purpose. We took to the streets to join a parade of celebration for the life of Matthew Shepard and we gathered last night for a vigil to pray for his recovery. Unfortunately, not all prayers are answered. We must use Matt's example in life to work against hatred, bigotry, and violence. We must continue to ensure that this University, city and state are places where students can come together to learn and to develop to their full potential without fear of discrimination or prejudice. And we must continue to keep Matt Shepard and his family first in our minds and our hearts. Their courage in the face of tragedy should serve to guide us all in the difficult days ahead.

In memory of Matt and out of respect for his family and friends, I have, with the concurrence of Gov. Geringer, ordered flags to be flown at half staff over the Laramie campus through the day of Matt's funeral.

I'd like to remind people that each of us make a difference, in our actions and attitudes. We work in a university setting, and because of this, we have opportunities to educate ourselves in ways that turn the ignorance and hatred that played a part in Matt's death into an understanding and respect for all individuals. Take a look at what is offered, and has indeed been a part of UW for a number of years in terms of diversity training and education, including sexual orientation.

Also, for those who need or would like to talk with someone about this, Andrew Turner, Director of UW's Counseling Center, relayed to me today that his staff (which includes members of the gay community) [is] "always ready to meet one-on-one with a faculty or staff member as a personal consultation, either to assist them with a situational concern, or to make an informed referral to community resources, here or in the region. Please feel free to pass the word."

The Albany County courthouse was packed when three of the four suspects were arraigned Oct. 9 in connection with the attempted murder of a UW student in an apparent hate crime attack.

Charges were officially filed against Russell Arthur Henderson, 21, Chastity Vera Pasley, 20, and Aaron James McKinney, 22. Henderson and McKinney, the most recently apprehended, have been charged with three felony counts of kidnapping, aggravated robbery and attempted first degree murder of Matthew Shepard, and Pasley and Kristen Leann Price have been charged with accessory after the fact to attempted first degree murder.

Albany County Judge Robert Castor read the list of charges which include attempted first degree murder.

Reading from court documents, Castor said Shepard was "struck in the head with a pistol," and the suspects allegedly "beat him, while he begged for his life."

Walt Boulden, a friend of Shepard, said after the Oct. 8 press conference, "My understanding was that the perpetrators led him to believe they were gay, and he said that he was."

Jim D. Osborn, the adviser of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans-gender Association (LGBTA), said, "It was a hate crime, he was beaten for no other reason than he was gay."

Albany County Sheriff Gary Puls said Shepard was found by two bicyclists on Snowy Mountain View Road Oct. 7 at 6:22 p.m., hanging from a buck fence, beaten and unconscious.

Shepard is unconscious and in critical condition at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, Colo. A release from Poudre Valley Hospital said Shepard remains on a ventilator.

A credit card and patten-leather shoes, which belonged to Shepard, were found in a pick-up along with the a .357 magnum covered with blood. The pick-up belonged to McKinney's father. Shepard's wallet was also found hidden in McKinney's house, according to court documents Castor read.

Henderson and McKinney both could face life in prison for the attempted murder, 20 years to life in prison for kidnapping and five to 25 years for aggravated robbery. If Shepard were to die, the suspects could be given life in prison or the death penalty if convicted of murder in the first degree.

Pasley's bond was set at $30,000, and Henderson and McKinney's bonds have been set at $100,000 each.

Henderson and McKinney will appear in court Oct. 13 at 2 p.m. for a preliminary hearing, and Pasley, who waived her arraignment, will appear in court Oct. 15 at 11 a.m. No comment was given in regard to the conditions of Price's legal position.

Osbourn said the "incident comes as a great shock," LGBTA is continuing the next week's Gay Awareness Week activities.

"I do not want to turn Matt into a martyr," he said. "I respect him too much for that."

Walking across UW's campus yesterday in the dark was an easy task. One I had done numerous times without thinking about it. By Thursday night all that was shattered. Although the senseless brutal beating of Matt Shepard did not take place on campus, it nonetheless hit at its heart. Students and Laramie residents are shocked and angered at what happened to Matt.

We live in the Equality State. That means nothing to me anymore. We live in a state where a young man was brutally beaten because he is gay.

We are all helpless victims of hate and Matt lies in a hospital fighting for his life. UW students and Laramie citizens are struggling for answers and ways to help.

This is the time for us to pull together. UW is a conservative campus that is rarely, if ever, outspoken on anything. Now is the time to show our outrage in a constructive fashion showing we won't put up with acts of hate. The country is watching and waiting to see how we react and what we do. We need to live up to our nickname.

We can choose to believe we live in a safe place or we can realize that up until now we have been ignorant to the fact that we are like everyone else. We are no longer immune. Matt could have been any one of us.

Students need to take an active role to show their intolerance of this crime. A group of students will be marching in the Homecoming parade Saturday morning. To show your outrage participate by meeting in Prexy's Pasture at 8 a.m. Wear an armband at the football game Saturday provided by the Multi-cultural Resource Center . The band is yellow like those worn for the Oklahmoa City Bombing with green circles on it as a sign of peace. Meet at Prexy's Pasture Saturday at 7 p.m. as show of support for Matt and his family.

We can do more than just sit and wait to see what happens. Whoever did this to Matt, wherever they are, waiting is all they have left.

The recent assault of Matthew Shepard has startled attention in the national media.

Jim Kearns, manager for the University of Wyoming News Service , said they have been "dealing with the universities' response to this." He also said the news service has been contacted by all the major television networks, various news magazines and some of the television news magazines.

Kearns said that most news services were calling to confirm the identities of the suspects and the victim, as well as their affiliation to campus, if any.

Natalia Devan with K-2 in Cheyenne, an NBC affiliate covering the story, said of the incident, "It's probably one of the bigger stories not because someone got hurt but because it's a hate crime."

"People in Denver heard about it this morning and [there are] just shock waves through Denver," said Irene O'Connor, a reporter with WB-2 News in Denver. "We came up to cover it because it's something people in Denver are concerned about. They care about it."

"It's student involved and the interest is the gay connection," said Ed Andrieski, a photographer with the Denver Office of the Associated Press, about the interest in the story. "Everybody in the world is interested. It seems slow in the news world it seems like and people want other things in their newspaper beside Clinton."

Throughout the nation, people are shocked and outraged by the recent hate crimes against Matthew Shepard. On the University of Wyoming campus, students and faculty walked around slightly preoccupied on Friday. They were followed by television cameras from all over the country.

"As a father, I was most saddened," UW President Philip Dubois said in a press conference Friday. "We are always concerned about the safety of our children."

At the same press conference, Jim D. Osborn, President of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans-Gendered Association (LGBTA), gave a speech expressing concerns about Shepard's well-being and the great loss felt by the group. A friend of Shepard's who requested anonymity said that Shepard embraced love and peace. Several people in the crowd cried, and a few women carried "no hate" signs throughout the conference.

Shepard was a first-semester political science major, having previously attended Casper College. Pasley was a second-year freshman majoring in art. None of the other accused were students.

Dubois said, "There was nothing the school could have or should have done," to prevent this crime.

"(The crime was) not reflective of the values of our university population or the Laramie community... Our first concern is with Matthew's family."

The media's portrayal of UW student Matt Shepard as being openly gay is simply not accurate as far as his long-time friend Walter Boulden is concerned.

Shepard, a 22-year-old UW student, is on life support at Poudre Valley Hospital, after attackers left him beaten and tied spread eagle to a buck fence outside of Laramie City limits in an apparent hate crime.

"Matt wasn't openly gay," Boulden said. "He didn't tell people in his class he was gay. He was the kind of guy who would just walk into a room and people would think he was gay just because he was slightly built, rather feminine."

Although he wasn't open about his sexuality, Boulden said, "He certainly didn't try to hide it if somebody asked him directly."

Shepard had been to the Fireside Lounge in Laramie on the night of the incident. Suspects Russell Hendersen and Aaron McKinney apparently led Shepard to believe they were gay, and Shepard said he was as well. The two allegedly persuaded Shepard to leave with them in their car.

"I didn't notice any confrontation, and there wasn't enough people to not notice," said Matt Galloway, bartender at the Fireside the night of the incident.

But Boulden said Shepard was "not the kind of person who goes to bars and tries to pick people up. Matt absolutely did not do one night stands 'cause of this stuff.

"He likes meeting other gay people, so he could talk about the experience and the struggle," Boulden said.

"Matt is an incredible human being," said Jim D. Osborn, president of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Association . "He smiles every time you see him. I've never seen him without a smile on his face. He can lighten your day in two minutes."

Shepard, born and raised in Casper, Wyo., attended Natrona County High School, until his sophomore year, when his parents moved to Saudi Arabia because of his father's employment with an oil company. He finished his high school career in Switzerland and spent time on the East coast and in Denver before deciding to attend University of Wyoming.

"Just last week he was talking about how glad he was that he had made the decision he made, that he was incredibly comfortable here, felt safe for the first time," Boulden said.

Shepard's parents knew of his sexual orientation, but "I don't know how accepting they are of it, and I think that's been an issue between them, and I think it's something they're really going to struggle with," Boulden said.

Shepard's parents were in Saudi Arabia at the time of the attack and are expected to arrive in Colorado tonight.

Less than two days after Matthew Shepard, a 22-year-old political science major was found brutally beaten and tied to a fence, response in the Laramie area has been resounding.

A petition was composed asking Governor Jim Geringer, State Senate Judiciary Chairman April Brimmer Kuntz, and State Representative Kathryn Sessions to form a commission to investigate the beating of Shepard and to take legislative steps to secure a passage of a new Wyoming state law to deter such hate crimes in the future.

Those wishing to sign the petition via the Internet can go to http://www.e-thepeople.com and find the petition in the "Civil Rights and Minority Issues" category. The service hosting the petition, E-the People, also allows the send the petition to 10 friends and acquaintances.

A gathering to show support for Matt and to gain community awareness will be held during the homecoming parade. Organized by Carlie Laucomer, helpers are calling people and hoping it will snowball in order to gain more than 100 supporters. The gathering will meet in Prexie's Pasture at 8 p.m., and will begin their parade route at 8:30 at 15th and Willet streets.

"We want to make the community realize that there are people out there who do care and are mad about what happened because it was a hate crime because he was gay," Laucomer said.

Though the brutal attack on UW student Matthew Shepard has put a damper on next week's Gay Awareness Week, Jim D. Osborn, 23, president of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans-gendered Association , said all events are still scheduled.

"At this point we are planning to continue our activities," Osborn said. "We are looking into the possibility of a vigil later in the week. Whether or not that will happen this week, nothing is set in stone.

Osborn said he received support from the university and the community, as well as on a national level. Despite the first reaction of fear felt by LGBTA members, the group has now developed feelings of anger and disgust, as well as the urge for awareness. "There seems to be a definite impetus in the community and the university right now that this needs to be addressed. This is not something that can be ignored or pushed under the rug," Osborn said.

Even though the attack falls on the horizon of Gay Awareness week, Osborn said he would like to believe the incident is purely coincidental but could not be sure. "I certainly cannot get in the mind of the assailants," he said.

"I think it's probably an isolated incident," Osborn said. "It is not the first assault that has occurred in Laramie, unfortunately. I do not believe that it will be the last simply because this happens no matter where you are."

An attack that took place in Laramie this week leave many to wonder if hate crimes still exist. Matt Shephard, a 22-year-old University of Wyoming student was found beaten into a coma and left tied to a fence to die. He remains in the hospital in critical condition. The brutal crime leaves the campus and community shocked and appalled.

"You think growing up in Wyoming you're immune," said Jennifer Zakotnik, a UW junior. "You know you're not going to be affected by things like this, but you are."

"I think in all places, regardless of where you are, hate crimes are going to exist--even in Wyoming," said Kris Williams, a junior. "It's unfortunate, and we're not even sheltered by that. Hopefully it'll force the students to take a strong look at each other, a strong look at where they stand on a lot of things, what they represent and really open up some issues on what the students of the University of Wyoming feel. Sometimes we are not the most politically active school."

Ryan McCoy, a senior, agrees. "It's not all that surprising because hate is everywhere. Attempted murder is pretty good to get them on, but that's disgusting."

Although not surprised, many students are saddened and frightened by the attack.

Tracee Wagner, a senior, said, "I was in theater with him (in high school) and he always had a very broad outlook on everything. The whole thing is ridiculous."

"It could happen to anyone," said Dan Woolcott, a senior. "I could be accused of being (gay) and beaten to death."

"We are deeply saddened when one of our students is involved in something like this," said Stephanie Olson, vice-president of the Associated Students of the University of Wyoming.

UW student found brutally beaten
Victim in critical condition, three charged in attack

Beaten and strung up to a buck fence, UW student Matthew Shepard was found unconscious by two bicyclists on Snowy Mountain View Road Wednesday afternoon.

Shepard, 22, was laying in a coma at press time after being found in what the Laramie Police Department and Albany County Sheriff's office have deemed an alleged murder attempt. Three suspects were named in connection with the crime.

Albany County Sheriff Gary Puls said Russell Arthur Henderson, 21, Chastity Vera Pasley, 20, and Kristen Leann Price, 18, have all been charged in connection with the attempted murder of Shepard at a press conference Oct. 8.

Puls said Shepard, who suffered severe head trauma, was unconscious upon discovery and was still unconscious at press time. Puls said Shepard was found tied to a fence approximately one mile northeast of Laramie, near Snowy Mountain View Road at about 6:22 p.m. Oct. 7.

Shepard was taken to Ivinson Memorial Hospital and later transported to Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, Colo., where he is listed in critical condition and on life-support.

"They're not expecting him to ever wake up," Walter Boulden, a friend of the victim, said.

Boulden said he believes the crime was motivated by hate. "There is no maybe," he said.

Henderson, charged with attempted first degree murder, is being held at the Albany County Detention Center pending formal arraignment today.

Pasley, a UW student and employee in the Wyoming Union Campus Activities Center, and Price are also being held at the detention center for charges of accessory after the fact-attempted first degree murder.

An alleged aggravated assault which occurred approximately at 1 a.m. Oct. 7 in the vicinity of 7th and Harney led officers to the suspects, Puls said.

The Green Circle is the international sign of peace. The yellow background is a symbol in the tradition of the yellow ribbons distributed in response to the Oklahoma City Bombing, speaking of the intolerance we have toward violence.

Please display this ribbon, anywhere and everywhere, as an armband, on your backpack, etc., as a display of your intolerance of this disgusting, abhorrent act of incivility toward Matthew Shepard.

We wear this armband in a unified, nonviolent demonstration of our values as UW students and the UW community against any and all acts of violence and disrespect toward any other human being.

- United Multicultural Council