Welcome back to Something Strange. Today for episode number 45, we have a very special episode. We will be discussing the tragic death of Matthew Shepard, a young man taken far too soon by a brutal hate crime.

**TRIGGER WARNINGS FOR THIS EPISODE**

Death by beating, discussion of severe injuries, discussion of sexual assault, discussions of hate crimes, hateful language, mention of sexual assault of a child, mention of mass shooting.

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References:

Matthew Shepard Foundation Website - https://www.matthewshepard.org/

Matthew Shepard Foundation: The Foundation Story - https://www.matthewshepard.org/about-us/our-story/

Matthew Shepard Foundation: The Laramie Project - https://www.matthewshepard.org/the-laramie-project/

Matthew Shepard Foundation: Creating Safer Communities Hate Crimes Prevention Training - https://www.matthewshepard.org/creating-safer-communities-hate-crimes-prevention-training/

Matthew Shepard Foundation: Speaking Engagements - https://www.matthewshepard.org/speaking-engagements/

Wyohistory.org: The Murder of Matthew Shepard - https://www.wyohistory.org/encyclopedia/murder-matthew-shepard

UMKC School of Law Famous Trials: Motion to Suppress McKinney Confession Denied - https://famous-trials.com/mattshepard/2520-motion-to-suppress-mckinney-confession-denied, https://famous-trials.com/images/ftrials/mattshepard/McKinney_Defendant_Motions.pdf

UMKC School of Law Famous Trials: Aaron McKinney Trial: No Appeal if No Death Penalty - https://famous-trials.com/mattshepard/2502-confession-of-aaron-mckinney, https://famous-trials.com/images/ftrials/mattshepard/McKinney_Sentencing_Court_Transcript.pdf

UMKC School of Law Famous Trials: Aaron McKinney’s Confession - https://famous-trials.com/mattshepard/2503-trial-of-aaron-mckinney-excerpts-from-the-trial-transcript

UMKC School of Law Famous Trials: Russell Henderson Testimony Regarding Shepard Murder, Transcript of the Hearing Concerning Henderson's Agreement to Change His Plea to Guilty - https://famous-trials.com/mattshepard/2513-russell-henderson-testimony-regarding-shepard-murder, https://famous-trials.com/images/ftrials/mattshepard/Wyoming_v_Henderson_Transcrip47.pdf

UMKC School of Law Famous Trials: Judge's Decision Rejecting "Gay Panic Defense" - https://famous-trials.com/mattshepard/2514-judge-s-decision-rejecting-gay-panic-defense

BBC News: Matthew Shepard: The murder that changed America - https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-45968606

Documentary: Matt Shepard is a Friend of Mine

U.S. Department of Justice: FBI Releases 2024 Hate Crime Statistics - https://www.justice.gov/hatecrimes/hate-crime-statistics

Department of Justice: Learn About Hate Crimes - https://www.justice.gov/hatecrimes/learn-about-hate-crimes

The LGBTQ+ Bar: LGBTQ+ "Panic" Defense - https://lgbtqbar.org/programs/advocacy-resources/advocacy/gay-trans-panic-defense/