Cold Case

Steeped in controversy, The Book of Matt: Hidden Truths About the Murder of Matthew Shepard is author Stephen Jimenez’s examination of the 1998 murder from a new angle — one that views the killing as a drug-related crime rather than the hate crime it is commonly considered to have been...

By Bree Davies

October 31, 2013

Audio By Carbonatix

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Steeped in controversy, The Book of Matt: Hidden Truths About the Murder of Matthew Shepard is author Stephen Jimenez’s examination of the 1998 murder from a new angle — one that views the killing as a drug-related crime rather than the hate crime it is commonly considered to have been.

The book comes together after more than a decade of research by Jimenez, an Emmy-winning investigative journalist who has been a contributor for ABC News, Nova and Fox News. Jimenez has said that he began researching the murder in an effort to write a play about it, but then uncovered things he didn’t expect. In the book, the story of a random targeting and brutal killing of a gay man is dismissed and replaced by a tale involving a payment on drug debts gone bad — one that ends in murder at the hands of Russell Henderson and Aaron McKinney (the latter of whom the author pinpoints as Shepard’s onetime lover).

Jimenez will read and sign copies of the book at the Tattered Cover, 2526 East Colfax Avenue, tonight at 7:30 p.m.; the presentation is free. For more information, go to tatteredcover.com or call 303-322-7727.
Mon., Nov. 4, 7:30 p.m., 2013

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Bree Davies is a multimedia journalist, artist advocate and community organizer born and raised in Denver. Rooted in the world of Do-It-Yourself arts and music, Davies co-founded Titwrench experimental music festival, is host of the local music and comedy show Sounds on 29th on CPT12 Colorado Public Television and is creator and host of the civic and social issue-focused podcast, Hello? Denver? Are You Still There? Her work is centered on a passionate advocacy for all ages, accessible, inclusive, non-commercial and autonomous DIY art spaces and music venues in Denver.

Contact: Bree Davies

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Twitter: @cocodavies