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| Brian Deneke |
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On December 12, 1997, Brian Theodore Deneke, age 19, was brutally killed. Brian Deneke died after he was mercilessly run over, after being chased around a parking lot by Dustin Michael Camp. Brian Deneke was on foot. Camp was driving a Cadillac. According to eyewitness testimony, Camp exclaimed "I`m a Ninja in my Caddy. Bet he liked that one". Brian Deneke was a good son, a good friend, and had touched the lives of many throughout his community in a positive way. He was a musician and an artist. He was a decent human being who did not ask, and certainly did not deserve, to die in such a despicable fashion, running for his life. Dustin Camp has never apologized to Brian's family or friends. Camp never showed even the smallest hint of remorse. During his trial, Dustin Camp's defense was changed several times. At first, Camp claimed to have killed Brian Deneke to protect a third party, one of Camp's friend. However, when a witness testified that Brian had not been a danger to Camp's friend, the theory was changed. Camp's defense eventually became that: Brian was destined to die that way because of his lifestyle. Brian was a punk-rocker. Brian's boots and t-shirts were used during the trial as evidence of his lifestyle. On September 1, 1999, Dustin Camp was sentenced to 10 years probation and a $10,000 probated fine for the crime of manslaughter resulting in the death of Brian Deneke. On September 7, 2001, Dustin Camp was sentenced to 8 years in prison for violating 5 aspects of his probation to include: consuming alcohol, being in a place where crimes were happening, breaking curfew, and fleeing from police. After only spending 3 months in prison, Camp was placed in the review process for early release. He becomes eligible for parole on June 7, 2002. If released, Camp will have spent less than one year in prison for intentionally killing another human being. This would be a travesty, an outrageous injustice. Camp is a remorseless killer who has been given the benefit of every doubt. He was already given a second chance, an opportunity to turn his life around. Instead, he has acted as though his freedom is an entitlement. Camp has all but laughed in the face of our judicial system by his flagrant disregard for it. It is time that Dustin Michael Camp is held accountable for his actions. |