Trial ordered for Shepard murder suspect

A suspect in the death of a gay University of Wyoming student admitted to an investigator that he drove off with the victim and then told him: "Guess what. We're not gay. You're gonna get jacked."

After hearing testimony at a preliminary hearing Thursday, a judge ordered Aaron McKinney to stand trial in the death of Matthew Shepard, an attack that brought widespread outrage, a condemnation from President Clinton and calls for tougher hate-crime laws.The other suspect, Russell Arthur Henderson, had waived his right to a preliminary hearing and is scheduled to be arraigned Dec. 2. Both men are charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping and robbery.

The 21-year-old Shepard, who was found tied to a fence outside of town, died five days after the Oct. 7 beating.

The lead investigator, Sheriff's Detective Sgt. Rob DeBree, testified that McKinney, 21, admitted to the beating and implicated his friend Henderson, also 21. According to DeBree, McKinney said that robbery was the main motive but that Shepard was chosen as a target because he was gay.

DeBree said McKinney "admitted Matthew did not hit on them or make advances" in the Fireside Bar but that they lured him out intending to rob him and burglarize his house.

According to DeBree, McKinney told investigators that the attack began after Shepard placed his right hand on McKinney's leg as the trio drove on Laramie's east side.

" `Guess what. We're not gay,' " DeBree quoted McKinney as saying. " `You're gonna get jacked. It's Gay Awareness Week.' "

DeBree said McKinney admitted he hit Shepard two to three times with his fist, then pistol-whipped and robbed him.

The beating allegedly continued when they reached a sagebrush-strewn area at the foot of the Laramie Range where the dying Shepard was found 18 hours later.

DeBree said that McKinney was asked if Shepard begged for his life and the defendant replied: "Well, yeah - he was getting the (expletive) beat out of him."

The autopsy showed that the 5-foot-2-inch Shepard was struck in the head about 18 times, prosecutor Cal Rerucha said.