Suspects in Shepard murder case arraigned

LARAMIE, Wyo. - Russell Arthur Henderson and Aaron James McKinney both pleaded innocent yesterday in the murder of gay college student Matthew Shepard.

State District Judge Jeffrey A. Donnell said trial dates for both would be set Dec. 10.

Henderson and McKinney, both 21, are charged with first-degree murder, aggravated robbery and kidnapping with intent to inflict bodily injury or to terrorize the victim.

Shepard, beaten and robbed Oct. 7, was targeted because he was gay, according to testimony at an earlier court hearing. He was bound and tied to a rough-hewn wooden fencepost in the foothills outside of Laramie, which is about 40 miles west of Cheyenne. The 105-pound University of Wyoming freshman died five days later. Shepard would have been 22 on Tuesday.

Henderson conceived the idea of robbing Shepard, authorities said.

The murder charge carries a possible death sentence, but prosecutor Cal Rerucha has not indicated whether he will seek the death penalty.

Henderson and McKinney are being held without bond.