Murdered for a Mohawk

Published on November 3, 2005 By Texas Wahine In Misc

Anyone from the Texas panhandle likely knows the name Brian Deneke.

What happened to him, back in December of 1997, made an unforgettable impression on me. Last night while surfing our TimeWarner Cable iControl fare, my husband and I discovered an A&E report titled "Amarillo." If you have TimeWarner Cable or A&E, I highly recommend looking for this program.

The Texas panhandle is a unique place with a very distinctive culture. Agriculture, religion, extreme conservatism, and high school football are the key elements. The lack of balance and tolerance in this place that I call home has never been more apparent than in the community's reaction to the death of young Brian Deneke.

Brian Deneke was a "punk." The music, the mindset, and the style of dress that is associated with punk culture is much more mainstream now, but in the late 90s in Amarillo, TX, "punk" kids stood out against the Wrangler jeans and the polo shirts.

I didn't know Brian Deneke, so I can't personally vouch for his character. What I do know comes from things I've seen on the news back when he was murdered and from the program I watched last night.

According to friends, family, and an employer, Brian was caring, passionate, and vibrant. His nickname was "sunshine" because he was always happy. He promoted, and lived by, a code of tolerance and kindness. He lived a clean cut lifestyle, avoiding drugs and promiscuity. He loved punk music, and poured his own time and money into promoting punk music in Amarillo. He loved skateboarding, and he was dedicated to his family.

He, and a handful of other kids who were into the punk scene, were tormented and attacked constantly because of their appearance. The jock kids (celebrities, Texas panhandle style) would yell things like "fagot" at them and would take any opportunity afforded to them to actually physically harm them.

Throughout high school, Brian, and his friends, were "jumped" in different places, often resulting in stitches. According to friends and family, Brian was not an instigator, nor a fighter. He intentionally avoided situations that would cause conflict, but the jock kids would seek out the punks.

According to the report, and as anyone from the Texas panhandle can attest, the clean cut, much adored jock kids were often the troublemakers in the schools and the communities, though folks turned a blind eye to it. These kids were into tormenting their classmates, binge drinking, violence, promiscuity, vandalism, and pretty much any other kind of mischief a teenager is capable of.

I don't say this to imply that I think Brian Deneke was a saint. He was a teenager. However, people who knew him have spoken out and insisted that he was a good, honest, peaceful kid.

Back in 1997 in Amarillo, it was common for the punks to hang out at the local IHOP. They would go there at night on the weekend and drink coffee, talk, write music, and just "hang out."

The jocks knew this, and began showing up to make trouble.

The jocks showed up at the IHOP that night in December in a massive group and began cursing and making verbal threats to the small number of punks gathered there. IHOP management kicked them out. The jocks warned the punks that they would be waiting for them in the parking lot.

Later in the night, the jocks met up with the punks as promised.

It turned into a brawl. Allegedly, Brian Deneke came to the defense of a friend being beaten with a chain (the jocks showed up armed with baseball bats and chains). The jocks then began beating Brian with everything they had.

One of the jocks, Dustin Camp, then got in his Cadillac and began speeding toward Brian. Brian was hit and became lodged under the vehicle. Dustin then backed up over Brian before driving off.

Dustin's passenger, his class Valedictorian, testified that while driving over Brian, Dustin remarked after hearing a loud crunching sound come from under the car, "Hear that? That was his skull." As he ran over Brian a second time, Dustin turned to his passenger and said, laughing, "Bet he liked that one. I'm a ninja in my Caddy."

Many of Brian's friends and his brother witnessed the murder. Brian's brother ran over to him, and cradled his broken body as Brian lay dying. His last words, said to his brother, were, "I love you."

One of Brian's friends followed Dustin Camp after the murder and discovered his identity and address, which was given to the police. Dustin's parents initially discussed lying to the police to protect their son, however, the Cadillac was smeared with blood and pieces of flesh, and eye witnesses, including his passenger, could confirm his guilt.

As tragic as this is, so far, it could happen pretty much anywhere. Teenagers are notoriously cruel to people who are different. But it gets worse.

The case went to trial. The jury found Dustin NOT GUILTY of first degree manslaughter. They found him guilty of manslaughter.

He was sentenced to ten years of PROBATION. He murdered someone and didn't spend a single day in jail. When one of Brian's friends, distraught at the sentencing confronted a juror and asked if the sentencing would have been the same if he, a punk, had done the same thing to a jock, the juror replied, "We'd give you the death penalty."

As friends and family mourned the death of Brian Deneke, Dustin Camp went about his life, wearing an ankle bracelet. Believe it or not, my husband actually saw this murderer in the hallway at West Texas A&M University. This killer got to go to college like any normal hard working kid.

Dustin's bad deeds finally caught up with him a few years later when he was busted for violating probation with underage drinking. When the cops came, he fled. He is now in jail and serving a short (less than a decade) sentence.

It's enraging to think about, but more so because had I lived in Amarillo at that time, I would have been one of those kids showing up in the ER for stitches every other week just because I didn't look like everyone else. I have two little boys, and they are independent, creative, and unique. This could have happened to one of my babies.

Anytime you see a kid that looks strange to you...with a bizarre piercing or funny colored hair or even baggy pants and corn rows...when you see a kid like that and you find yourself assuming the worst about him and judging him, please think about Brian Deneke. Please remember that looks can be deceiving and prejudice comes in many forms. Don't harbor the hate that killed this vibrant young man and allowed his murderer to go free.

Remember Brian Deneke.

Comments

shadesofgrey

on Nov 03, 2005

I had never heard of this story, Tex. Thanks for sharing it. One of my friends in college was from Amarillo, so I am surprised she never talked about this.

Locamama

on Nov 03, 2005

What a sad and tragic story. It just breaks my heart. I am from small town Ohio and it was obvious when anyone new came to town. I guess cause they weren't hicks like us. I remember being at the county fair (the event of the summer - everyone went every day and watched their friends show their animals) and there were two very punk girls. Of course, my friends all thought they were weirdos and dared me to go talk to them. So I did and guess what - they were just people - not that different from us. They just were visiting relatives and when they asked what their was to do in our nowhere town the county fair was the only answer.

So what I'm saying is don't assume. Most of the time I assumed that someone was a certain way because of their style when I actually get to know them I'm usually surprised. Take me for example - I look like the typical suburban Weatherford mom - if they only knew what a freak I am underneath - ha.

dynamaso

on Nov 03, 2005

What a tragic story. It is more so tragic knowing justice was never served for the death of the young man. I'm a fan of individuality. It shows character to stand up for what you believe in, even in the face of enormous adversity. Brian and all those who have suffered for being 'different' are highly evolved individuals who deserve recognition for marching to the beat of their own drum.

Thanks so much for this, Tex. I want to find the documentary you mentioned. These stories should not be allowed to disappear as they provide a lesson for us all.

lifehappens

on Nov 03, 2005

Thanks for sharing. It only goes to show you can't judge someone soley by their apearance. HW's brothers were some scary looking guys. Long hair, greasy, tattooed evil looking guys (think Chares Manson) you wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley. but halfway thorugh my first dinner there, one of them made a veiled reference to Shakespeare....and the other is just a great big teddy bear. Both of them are two of the nicest people you will ever meet....intimidating lookin' but fantastic nevertheless.

dharmagrl

on Nov 03, 2005

I'm all about not judging a book by it's cover. Some of the nicest people I've ever met looked like they'd slit your throat given half a chance - but volunteered to give their time to the local nursing home to read to and visit with some of the old folks, and some of the nastiest (and I mean downright spiteful verging on wickedly evil) were clean cut jocks who went to church on sundays - but who liked to torture animals and small children in their spare time.

So rock on, all my mohawk wearing, inked and pierced friends.....and may Brian live forever in the hearts of those who loved him.

Dr Guy

on Nov 04, 2005

I have been to Amarillo, and I can see this happening. Jocks are royalty out that way. A sad story really.

foreverserenity

on Nov 04, 2005

I remember hearing about this when it happend. It still is painful hearing it all over again. It's horrible, horrible.

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