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'''Matthew Shepard''' (1976-1998) was an American college student from [[Wyoming]].  On October 7, 1998, he was savagely beaten and robbed by two men, and died on October 12.  The killers were heavily involved in drugs and had met Shepard in a bar, giving him a ride afterwards.   

'''Matthew Shepard''' (1976-1998) was an American college student from [[Wyoming]].  On October 7, 1998, he was savagely beaten and robbed by two men, and died on October 12.  Both the victim and killers were heavily involved in drugs and had extensive histories with each other long beforehand. On the night of the incident they met Shepard in a bar, giving him a ride afterwards.   

[[Homosexual]] activists and the liberal media stated that this drug-related killing <ref>Ben Fritzen, a former police detective, said, "Matthew Shepard's sexual preference or sexual orientation certainly wasn't the motive in the homicide... What it came down to, really, is drugs and money." [http://www.washingtontimes.com/article/20070810/EDITORIAL/108100014/1013/editorial Washington Times Editorial] 8/10/2007</ref> should have been viewed as a [[hate crime]] even though the prosecution never described the killing as a hate crime.<ref name="courttv">http://www.courttv.com/archive/trials/mckinney/110399_verdict_ctv.html</ref>  

[[Homosexual]] activists and the liberal media stated that this drug-related killing <ref>Ben Fritzen, a former police detective, said, "Matthew Shepard's sexual preference or sexual orientation certainly wasn't the motive in the homicide... What it came down to, really, is drugs and money." [http://www.washingtontimes.com/article/20070810/EDITORIAL/108100014/1013/editorial Washington Times Editorial] 8/10/2007</ref> should have been viewed as a [[hate crime]] even though the prosecution never described the killing as a hate crime.<ref name="courttv">http://www.courttv.com/archive/trials/mckinney/110399_verdict_ctv.html</ref>