JUDGE: Mr. Henderson, you drove the vehicle that took Matthew Shepard to his death. You bound him to that fence in order that he might be more savagely beaten and in order that he might not escape to tell his tale. You left him out there for eighteen hours, knowing full well that he was there, perhaps having an opportunity to save his life, and you did nothing. Mr. Henderson, this Court does not believe that you really feel any true remorse for your part in this matter. And I wonder, Mr. Henderson, whether you fully realize the gravity of what you’ve done.

The Court finds it appropriate, therefore, that sentence be ordered as follows: As to Count Three, that being felony murder with robbery, you are to serve a period of imprisonment for the term of your natural life. On Count One, kidnapping, that you serve a period of imprisonment for the term of your natural life. Sentencing for Count One to run consecutive to sentencing for Count Three.

NARRATOR: After the hearing, we spoke with Russell Henderson’s Mormon home teacher.

MORMON HOME TEACHER: I’ve known Russell’s family for thirty-eight years. Russell’s only twenty-one, so I’ve known him his entire life. I ordained Russell a priest of the Mormon Church, so when this happened, you can imagine—disbelief.… After the sentencing … the church held a disciplinary council, and the result of that meeting was to excommunicate Russell from the Mormon Church. And what that means is that your name is taken off the records of the church, so you just disappear.

Russell’s reaction to that was not positive, it hurt him, it hurt him to realize how serious a transgression he had committed.

But I will not desert Russell. That’s a matter of my religion and my friendship with the family.

(All exit. Lights fade on RUSSELL, his grandmother, and his home teacher.)

MOMENT: ANGELS IN AMERICA

NARRATOR: Before we left Laramie, we met again with Rebecca Hilliker at the theater department. She is producing Angels in America this year at the university.

REBECCA HILLIKER: I think that’s the focus the university has taken—is that we have a lot of work to do. That we have an obligation to find ways to reach our students.… And the question is, How do we move—how do we reach a whole state where there is some really deep-seated hostility toward gays? How do you reach them?

This is the beginning … and guess who’s auditioning for the lead?

JEDADIAH SCHULTZ: MY PARENTS!

NARRATOR: Jedadiah Schultz: