Epilogue
“And how do you feel about Judge Claybourne’s sentence?”
Alex smiled at the reporter from the Casper Star-Tribune. “Considering Judge Claybourne imposed a sentence far closer to my request than the defense’s, I’m delighted.” A polite ripple of laughter followed his words.
“You don’t feel thirty years was a little… excessive?” the reporter persisted.
Beside Alex, Joshua’s stomach clenched. Not as far as I’m concerned.
Alex’s response was smoother, but just as emotional.
“Matthew Shepard’s assailants are currently serving life sentences for his murder.
The only difference I see between them and the two defendants in this case, is that all five victims in this case survived.
The defendants in this case were found guilty of kidnapping, and aggravated assault and battery. ”
The young woman from the Gillette New Reporter raised her hand. “Are you saying you would have approached this case differently if the trial had taken place in another state? Would the charges have been different?” Murmurs rippled through the small group of assembled journalists.
Alex took a deep breath. “The trial took place in Wyoming, so it’s a moot point.”
She nodded slowly. “And Wyoming has no hate crime legislation in place, so the defendants were not charged with perpetrating a hate crime.” She tilted her head to one side. “Do you think the state needs to adopt such legislation?”
Quiet fell in the room, and Joshua held his breath.
Alex stared at the notes in front of him for a moment, before raising his head.
“Yes, I do. We are seeing more and more cases in the courts where the victims were targeted because of their sexual orientation or their gender identity. In the United States, the FBI is mandated under the Federal Hate Crime Statistics Act to collect national data on hate crimes. That sounds like a step in the right direction, doesn’t it?
And so it would be—except that states are not required to report them.
Then there’s the fact that the legal definition of such crimes varies.
” Alex shook his head. “Don’t get me wrong.
Forty-five states have adopted hate crime legislation, and that’s a good start, but we’re not there yet.
There’s more work to be done. And until that time, I will do what I can within the law to ensure those who target others based on sexual orientation or gender identity, are pursued, found guilty, and given the maximum sentence allowed by that law. ”
“Would it be fair to say this is a personal issue for you, Mr. Rycliffe?”
Joshua recognized the spokesman from Wyoming Equality immediately. He’d been at the trial, and had spoken to Greg and the others.
Alex gave him a warm smile. “I suppose having my partner by my side was a bit of a giveaway, huh?” More laughter echoed throughout the room.
He reached across and clasped Joshua’s hand in his, before addressing the journalists.
“Yes, this is something I believe in strongly, and I’ll continue to push for change here in Wyoming.
Looking around the National Cathedral in DC last October, seeing all the support and acceptance—and yes, anger too—it brought home to me that this is what we are fighting for.
” He squeezed Joshua’s hand. “The day when I can do this, and no one bats an eyelid. That day will come, ladies and gentlemen, although I don’t believe it will be in our lifetime.
” He smiled. “That doesn’t mean we give up trying. ”
Joshua barely heard the person telling everyone that was it for questions, or the bustle as people got up to leave. He gazed at their clasped hands, his heart full of pride and love.
“Ready to go home?”
Alex let out a sigh of relief. “God, yes. I’ve been looking forward to this all day.” Micah and Greg were preparing a special meal in celebration of the sentence. The last meal they get to prepare for us for a while. Another week more, and the house would be very different.
It would be just the two of them.
Joshua couldn’t wait.
The End