Bias crime bills rejected in state where gay college student was killed

CHEYENNE, Wyoming (CNN) -- Four months after a gay University of Wyoming student was beaten to death, a state legislative committee Wednesday killed two bills that would have imposed heavier penalties for crimes motivated by prejudice.

Wyoming is one of only nine states without bias crime legislation.

After Matthew Shepard's death in October, more people called for such a law, and Gov. Jim Geringer for the first time supported new legislation. But Wednesday's committee action ended their hopes for the year.

The measures that died in the Senate Judiciary Committee would have increased the maximum fine for a felony by up to $5,000 and the maximum prison sentence by up to five years if prosecutors could prove the crime was discriminatory.

Police say Shepard, 21, was targeted because he was gay. He was allegedly beaten with a gun, robbed of $20 and left tied to a fence. Shepard died five days after the attack.

Objections

Some opponents of the proposed laws objected to listing motivating factors, such as race, religion and sexual orientation, saying they offered special protection to certain groups.

Others said no new laws are needed, just strict enforcement of existing measures.

State Sen. John Schiffer, the committee chairman, said he hoped supporters of hate crime legislation would come back in future sessions with legislation that would have broader support.

"This legislation as written does not fit with what this state wishes to have in a bias crimes bill," said Schiffer, one of three people who voted against the bills.

State lawmakers have rejected similar measures four times since 1995.

Wende Barker, state coordinator for the Wyoming Bias Crimes Coalition, said she was disappointed but not surprised.

"We'll move on from here. The coalition is going to stay together and work on some public education and try to come back next year," she said.

The only other discrimination crime-related bill before the Legislature is one that would set up a task force to examine how many prejudice crimes are being committed in Wyoming. It has passed the House and is pending in the Senate.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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