Shepard Case Defense Speaks Out

Copyright 1998 by The Associated Press (via ClariNet)
29 Dec 1998 22:25:53 PST

LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) -- A prosecutor's plan to seek death penalties for the slaying of gay University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard is politically motivated, an attorney for one of the suspects says. 

"There have been other cases in this county that have been just as heinous or more heinous in which he has not requested the death penalty," said Wyatt Skaggs, an attorney for Russell Henderson. 

Henderson and Aaron McKinney, both 21, are charged with  first-degree murder, kidnapping and aggravated robbery in Shepard's death. He suffered 18 blows to the head and died Oct. 12, five days after the attack. 

Testimony at a November hearing indicated he may have been  targeted because he was gay. 

Prosecutor Cal Rerucha filed notices of intent to seek the death penalty against both men Monday. Neither notice outlined his reasons. 

"To request the death penalty on an individual like Russell who does not have a significant criminal record and who does not have a juvenile history, and if convicted would be involved in basically his first criminal act is really heavy handed," Skaggs said Tuesday. 

"I think it's heavy handed to say the least and somewhat  politically motivated." 

Rerucha declined comment. One of McKinney's attorneys, Jason  Tangeman, also refused comment.