LETTER: Report was insensitive, wrong

I am a family member and friend to the deceased Damian Lucero-Ortiz and Stephanie Dimas. I am writing this article on behalf of both Damian’s and Stephanie’s families to again remind the community of the horrific tragedy that occurred more than a year ago on Dec. 20, 2007, which has left both families in deep sorrow.

If anyone knows anything about this case, I want to encourage and convince you to share what you know. This needs to be a safe community and the only way it will be safe again is if we as a community stand together and put these criminals behind bars. True justice needs to be a part of Las Vegas, N.M. Maximum punishment needs to be enforced for these extreme heartless crimes.

Damian and Stephanie are among the many innocent victims who have lost their lives for no reason at all. A human life should never, under any circumstances, be taken by another human being. David Giuliani went into detail on Friday, Feb. 6, about Damian. He made him out to be a “drug dealer,” instead of an innocent victim who was violently taken away too soon from us. The article was an insult to Damian and Stephanie. We, their families, are here to defend them! This reporter did not personally know Damian and Stephanie, so for him to aggressively put unimportant and ridiculous false information into the Optic is beyond heartless, and just plain senseless. All this article did was make Damian look bad in front of the community. The article should have focused on supporting the family and the State Police for justice to be adequately served against those responsible for this horrific crime!

Everyone who knew Damian and Stephanie know that this article contains information that is not justified and only gives information to gossip about. We do not need anymore of this in Las Vegas. Damian and Stephanie didn’t mean anything to David Giuliani, so slander and judgment seem to be his motive in this vicious story. When an ugly story comes out like this, it appears that compassion and the fight for peace has gone out the window.

Damian and Stephanie were people full of integrity and respect for themselves and for this community. They deserved the best that life could possibly offer and should not have had their lives cut short in one quick moment. To me, and many others, Damian and Stephanie were symbols of peace, love, joy and compassion. Their lives were full of happiness with a high standard of reverence. They both carried themselves with dignity and strength. Their faith and courage was immeasurable. This article was an ignorant interpretation of yet another speculation. I deeply love and miss them. The void in my heart runs deeper than anyone will ever know. Our families are brokenhearted over the loss that we never thought would ever happen. It was an awful, sudden tragedy that has left us in disbelief and shock. Our lives have changed and will never be the same

 We, the family, are totally disgusted that someone would speak of Damian in such a demeaning, negative way. The main investigator of this case is appalled by the article and does not stand by it at all.

Violence needs to stop! Silence and ignoring the issues does no good for anyone and doesn’t help the victims, it just makes it worse. The tears of every mother who lost her child in the mindless cycles of violence should tell us that the time has come to stand up and prove beyond doubt that we will not deal with this anymore. The principle of moral rightness and the sanctity of life need a transfusion into the minds and souls of humanity. Conformity to moral rightness in action and attitude needs to take precedence in each of our lives. The will to change and help has to come from within. Violence is not and should never be an option.

Listen to your conscience and help bring peace and unity back to the streets of New Mexico. If there is any information that anyone is withholding, please don’t be afraid to come forward. Fear makes the issue worse and changes nothing. Truth will set you free. Please help us and your community. The fight for peace is a fight for life!

Amanda Chavez

Las Vegas