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Security tightened for McKinney trial LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) - As with the first trial in the Matthew Shepard murder case, security is being tightened for the Aaron McKinney trial in anticipation of antigay protests and because of the attention the case has received. "All of the law enforcement in this area have worked together to create some contingency plans," Laramie Police Cmdr. Dale Stalder said Friday. The Police Department, Albany County Sheriff's Office, University of Wyoming Police Department and Wyoming Highway Patrol have been meeting regularly to consider every possibility, he said. "The philosophy has been to plan for the worst and hope for the best," he said. As with the trial of Russell Henderson, fencing is being erected to restrict access to the Albany County Courthouse. Visitors must state their reason for being there, produce proper identification, sign in and out, and pass through a metal detector at the one available entrance. In addition, parking will be limited and jail visitation will only be allowed on Sundays. Monday's expected return of members of a Topeka, Kan., Baptist church - who regularly picket funerals or activities involving gays - prompted authorities to beef up police presence at the courthouse. "We've designated a time and place for them to protest and we chose an area where they'll be contained," Stalder said. "We've decided to put some people in that area again to ensure that everything goes smoothly and there aren't any disruptions or riots or anything." McKinney, 22, could face the death penalty if convicted of first-degree murder in the beating death of Shepard, a University of Wyoming freshman who police say may have been targeted because he was gay. Henderson, 22, avoided the death penalty by pleading guilty in April and received two life sentences. Copyright 1999 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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