A TWIST IN THE MATTHEW SHEPARD CASE?

New book with 13 years of research shakes up past accounts of Matthew Shepard's brutal murder. Traditional accounts have maintained that the murderer and his victim were acquainted. Some advocacy groups dispute the book's accuracy and as the Matthew Shepard Foundation has stated: "We do not respond to innuendo, rumor or conspiracy theories,” the statement says. “Instead we remain committed to honoring Matthew’s memory, and refuse to be intimidated by those who seek to tarnish it.” I tend to agree more with Andrew Sullivan, who's said “Events are more complicated than most politicians and activists want them to be. No one should be afraid of the truth.” The story always seemed odd to me. "Among the book’s claims is that Shepard, 21, knew and socialized with Aaron McKinney, also 21, one of two men convicted of his murder, at least a year before the crime. According to Jimenez’s stated findings in the book, Shepard and McKinney each used and sold crystal meth, both had been involved with an escort service in Denver and Laramie that arranged for them to have sex for money with men, they were seen at the same parties in Laramie, and the two occasionally had sex with each other." MORE: WASHINGTONBLADE