State of Wyoming says Matthew Sheperd's killer got justice

[Ediacara]

State says Sheperd's killer got justice

Associated Press

LARAMIE, Wyo. - One of two men convicted of murdering Matthew Shepard five years ago should not be given a chance to argue for a lighter sentence, according to an attorney for the state.

Russell Henderson filed a petition April 2 with state District Judge Jeffrey A. Donnell asking the judge to find he was denied effective assistance after his guilty plea to felony murder and kidnapping.

Henderson received two consecutive life terms without parole.

His attorney, Tim Newcomb, claimed that lawyers failed to consult with Henderson regarding any of his rights as provided by law following a guilty plea. He also said Henderson should be allowed to argue that his sentence was disproportionate to others serving time for similar crimes.

Newcomb has asked that if Donnell finds Henderson was denied effective assistance that a one-year clock be restarted for filing a request for sentence reduction.

More at the Billings Gazette

[freetobegay]

1. Justice was not served! it it had been

There would be a bullet in his head.

[Not Me]

2. Mr. Henderson is lucky to be alive today

Had Dennis Shepard (Matthew's father) not petitioned the court to spare Henderson in the brutal killing, he would certainly have been put to death for his part in the murder.

In their wisdom, The Shepards did not want to put the killers' families through what they had gone through, and further wanted them to remember--every waking hour--what they had done.

I have no pity for this man.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

3. God bless The Shepards and their compassion.

More death would have not raised Matthew from the dead.