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you just really want to scream," Judy Shepard said. "When the defense gets out there and starts talking out of, the victim's fault, you know, 'gay panic,'. McKinney went to trial, and defense attorneys argued his violent actions were "gay panic" - a reaction to Shepard making a sexual advance. Two killers head to courtĪfter McKinney and Henderson were arrested, Henderson waived his pre-trial investigation and took a plea agreement, agreeing to two life sentences. Matthew Shepard's friends Walter Boulden and Alex Trout, from left, get emotional as they speak during a national vigil for Shepard,Oct. Capitol with celebrities and members of Congress. There was a mass protest on Fifth Avenue in New York in which almost 100 people were arrested," Marsden said, as well as a vigil at the U.S. "It spawned candlelight vigils all over the country. "This is before the term viral existed, but it really did go viral," Marsden said. The outpouring of love was immediate as flowers and stuffed animals filled the hospital. The shocking homophobic crime in the sparsely-populated state garnered national sympathy. he has all the rights, responsibilities, duties and privileges of every other American citizen." The nation mourns against the gay community until after he died," he said.
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"We didn't realize the amount of violence and discrimination. "It was like, 'This is who I am, and that's the way it's going to be,'" added Judy Shepard.ĭennis Shepard wasn't worried about his son's safety. "Everybody he met, he said, 'Just to let you know ahead of time, I'm gay,'" Dennis Shepard said. Their son was then living an openly out life. (MORE: HBO to air Matthew Shepard documentary)