North Carolina congressman called Mathew Shepard’s murder ‘a hoax’ during debate over Hate Crimes Bill
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — A North Carolina congresswoman has sent an apology about her comments to the mother of a slain gay man whose name is on legislation that adds sexual orientation to the list of hate crimes.
Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., sent the letter to the mother of Matthew Shepard.
The 21-year-old Wyoming student was robbed and beaten and left tied to a fence before he died. Two men are serving life sentences for his death.
Foxx said during a House floor debate that labeling Shepard’s death a hate crime was "a hoax." She later said she used a poor choice of words.
The Matthew Shepard Foundation confirmed that his mother received Foxx’s note, but offered no comment on it.