A&E’s <i>American Justice</i> takes on Matthew Shepard story (2596)

Cable network A&E will premiere American Justice: The Matthew Shepard Story on Wednesday, May 23. American Justice will examine how the murder of Shepard changed the lives of those involved and how he has come to be an international symbol of intolerance. There will be interviews with Judy Shepard, Matthew's mother, who has since become an activist for hate-crimes legislation, as well as with Jeffrey Montgomery, executive director of the Triangle Foundation and an expert on the "gay panic" defense used at the trial of Shepard's killers. In order to fully illustrate the brutality of the crime, the program will also feature never-before-broadcast evidence photos of the crime scene and of the injuries suffered by Shepard. The show will air at 9 p.m. Eastern and Pacific time, immediately following the debut of Biography: Oscar Wilde; check local listings.