One of two men accused in the brutal murder of gay college student, Matthew Shepard, in Wyoming pleaded guilty Monday.

Russell Henderson, 21, pleaded guilty to the October kidnapping and murder of Shepard in exchange for a life sentence. Prosecutors had asked for the death penalty.

A second man, Aaron McKinney, is scheduled to go to trial in August. He could face the death penalty if convicted.

Aaron McKinney

Prosecutors say Henderson and McKinney posed as homosexuals and picked up Shepard at a bar in Laramie. They kidnapped and pistol-whipped him and left him tied to a fence in the cold on a deserted country road.

The 21-year-old University of Wyoming student wasn't found till the next day. He died five days later in hospital.

Henderson's attorney, Wyatt Skaggs, said his client merely watched while McKinney delivered the fatal blows to Shepard. He also said the slaying was not premeditated.

Russell Henderson

Henderson's girlfriend is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty Dec. 23 to accessory after the fact to murder. McKinney's girlfriend goes on trial in May on an accessory charge.

The crime has led to calls for stronger hate-crime laws in the U.S. and activists on both sides of the issue have been following the case closely.

Anti-gay demonstrators outside the courthouse waved signs with slogans like "God Hates Fags" as pro-gay protesters tried to block them from view.

Rev. Fred Phelps of Westboro Baptist Church who demonstrated at Shepard's funeral told reporters: "These ... creatures are sending this nation to hell in a handbasket."