2 Suspects in Gay’s Killing to Face Death

Prosecutors said Monday they’ll seek the death penalty against the two men accused in the beating death of a gay University of Wyoming student.

Aaron James McKinney and Russell Arthur Henderson, both 21, are accused of luring Matthew Shepard, also 21, out of a downtown bar. Police say the two robbed and pistol-whipped the 105-pound freshman, tied him to a log fence and beat him into unconsciousness. Shepard died five days later, on Oct. 12.

Shepard’s murder brought condemnation from President Clinton, who renewed a call to expand the federal hate crimes law to include crimes based on a victim’s sexual orientation, gender or disability.

Wyoming, with the motto of the Equality State, is one of nine states that have no hate-crime laws.

Prosecutor Cal Rerucha declined to comment about his decision to seek the death penalty. His intention to do so was filed in court papers late Monday afternoon. The short notices in each case gave no explanation why he chose to seek executions.

Attorneys for McKinney and Henderson could not be reached for comment.

Only two men are on Wyoming’s death row, and the last execution in Wyoming was Jan. 22, 1992. The state’s previous execution was in December 1965.

Henderson’s trial is to begin March 22; McKinney’s trial is scheduled to start Aug. 9. Henderson’s girlfriend, Chasity Vera Pasley, 20, pleaded guilty to an accessory charge Wednesday; McKinney’s girlfriend, Kristen LeAnn Price, 19, faces a May trial on an accessory charge.