Shepard Case

The killers of Matthew Shepard are now denying that it was an anti-gay hate crime, and claiming it was a meth-fueled rampage; the gay panic defense was cooked up.  North Carolina CrimProf Eric Muller explains why this is probably irrelevant with respect to their legal situation. However, it is interesting from the perspective of the defense lawyers who would have some explaining to do if their former clients’ story is credited–zealous advocacy does not extend to fabricating testimony. [Jack Chin]