Today is Search: You're in: News Releases AARON McKINNEY GETS TWO CONSECUTIVE LIFE SENTENCES FOR ROLE IN MURDERING MATTHEW SHEPARD Harsh Sentence Sends Message that Gay Bashers Will Pay for Crimes, Says HRC FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, Nov. 4, 1999 WASHINGTON The sentence was fair, just and commensurate with the seriousness of the crime, said HRC Communications Director David M. Smith. Gay and lesbian Americans can now have renewed faith in our justice system. We can only hope a strong message was sent, that in America hate crimes will not be tolerated and there are severe consequences for violent, hateful actions. Yesterday, McKinney was convicted of two counts of felony murder, which included second-degree murder, aggravated robbery and kidnapping. The conviction made him eligible for the death penalty, but he received life in prison today in a deal with prosecutors, after Shepard's parents agreed to it, according to the Associated Press. I really don't know what to say other than that I'm truly sorry to the entire Shepard family, Aaron McKinney told the court, according to the Associated Press. Never will a day go by I won't be ashamed for what I have done. I would like nothing better than to see you die, Mr. McKinney, but now is the time to heal, Shepard's father, Dennis, told the 22-year-old roofer, according to the Associated Press. Every time you wake up in your cell, remember you had the opportunity or the ability to stop your actions that night. | |
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