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The Associated Press

NEWS

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Dec. 11, 1998

Two Trials To Be Held in Gay Attack

LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) The two men accused of killing gay student Matthew Shepard will be tried separately.

The murders in court

District Judge Jeffrey Donnell gave no reason for his decision Thursday regarding Russell Arthur Henderson and Aaron James McKinney.

Prosecutors wanted a single trial, claiming two people accused of the same crime should be tried together. Defense attorneys opposed a combined trial but would not say why publicly.

Henderson's trial was set for March 22, McKinney's for Aug. 9.

The murders in courtThe two are accused of beating and robbing Shepard on Oct. 7 and tying him to a fence outside Laramie. The University of Wyoming student died days later. Investigators said he was targeted in part because he was gay.

Matthew and his murders The men's girlfriends are charged with helping them dispose of evidence. Their trial dates have not been set


The Associated Press
Dec. 11, 1998
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