A jury last week found Aaron McKinney guilty of felony murder, kidnapping and aggravated robbery in the killing of Matthew Shepard, a beating so savage it prompted condemnation from President Clinton and Congress and spurred efforts to pass stronger hate-crime laws nationwide.

The victim's father, Dennis Shepard, told jurors in the packed courtroom that their verdict ``showed true courage and made a statement. That statement is that Wyoming is the Equality State, that Wyoming will not tolerate discrimination based on sexual orientation, that violence is not the solution.''

Then, despite a rage they have felt for 13 months toward McKinney and co-defendant Russell Henderson -- who pleaded guilty earlier this year in the killing -- Dennis and Judy Shepard wrote a new chapter in forgiveness.

They helped spare McKinney's life, accepting a proposal from the defense team of two life sentences instead of the death penalty. In return, McKinney promised not to appeal the verdict.

As difficult as it was for them, the Shepards sent a clear message: It was time for healing.

``They could look into the eyes of the man that took their son and give him mercy and I wish I had that type of forgiveness,'' said prosecutor Cal Rerucha. ``I think all of us can learn something about tolerance from these people.''

Laramie residents were touched by the Shepards' action. ``It was a beautiful gesture. We all need to do that -- show compassion and feel the hurt that all families are feeling,'' said Etta Shaw, a resident since 1973.

Echo Nelson, a student at University of Wyoming where Matthew Shepard studied political science, said she was ``glad McKinney got what he got'' but was impressed by the Shepards' move.

``I think forgiveness is good,'' she said. ``Things happen and people don't know why, but you can't go on hating for the rest of your life.''

Moments after McKinney was led away from the courthouse Thursday, Rerucha stood outside and said that out of the hatred, the sickening brutality of the crime and the unwanted microscope Laramie was placed under, something good had resulted.

``I think it's going to be different when kids go to school,'' he said. ``I think it's going to be different in Laramie, Wyoming.''

``People are more careful about what they say to other people,'' Rerucha said. ``They're more careful about the language that they use. They know that people have feelings. And that we're all people and people deserving of respect and people deserving of having the chance this country gives us.''

``Wyoming has shown itself with this verdict to be as fair and just as any other part of the country,'' said David Smith of the gay rights lobbying group Human Rights Campaign.

``Hate violence takes place in Manhattan. It takes place in Des Moines. It takes place in Detroit. It takes place in Laramie,'' said Jeffrey Montgomery of Detroit, who tracks crimes against gays.

``It's not that those communities foster it. It's how they respond to it. I think Laramie has responded to it in a model way.''