Guilty! I am from Amarillo. Guilty! I have slipped away from the scene and into an average life. Guilty! I tried to let this embarrassing excuse of a justice system quietly be forgotten. Then someone asked me for a small favor - make a memorial committee web page for Brian Deneke. It was only talk for a few months and then it finally happened two days ago. Now the fire has been lit for me and I care deeply about this cause.

I was not close to Brian Deneke, but I was close to people who loved him and I have seen the pain his murder has brought. I have tried to fall asleep while imagining my own son's death being swept under the rug. I heard of his compassionate and caring personality even while he was alive. What I want is even bigger than anger or vengeance . . . I want something good to come out of this. Brian is gone and nothing I can do will bring him back, but it will not be in vain. There will be remembrance and tolerance and diversity. The local scene has a day in the summer dedicated to Brian. It is called "Unity through Diversity" and this year can be huge. I hope that people will travel from all over to remember Brian in a positive way. I think Brian would be smiling down on this day of Unity through Diversity. Come to Amarillo this summer and celebrate Brian. For more info check out: www.briandeneke.org