The prosecutor argued that the murder of Shepard was premeditated and driven by greed. McKinney's defense counsel countered by arguing that he had intended only to rob Shepard but killed him in a rage when Shepard made a sexual advance toward him. McKinney's girlfriend told police that he had been motivated by anti-gay sentiment, but later recanted her statement, saying that she had lied because she thought it would help him. Henderson pleaded guilty to murder, and McKinney was tried and found guilty of murder; each of them received two consecutive life sentences.
The prosecutor argued that the murder of Shepard was premeditated and driven by greed McKinney's defense counsel countered by arguing that he had intended only to rob Shepard but killed him in a rage when Shepard made a sexual advance toward him McKinney's girlfriend told police that he had been motivated by anti-gay sentiment but later recanted her statement saying that she had lied because she thought it would help him Henderson pleaded guilty to murder and McKinney was tried and found guilty of murder; each of them received two consecutive life sentences