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| Boy’s death sparks scholarship fund |
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| Written by Danielle MacMurchy | |
| Friday, 09 May 2008 | |
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 Denzell Hines Denzell, 16, attended West High for the last two years before he transferred in January to Harmony One, a San Joaquin County-run continuation school. West High senior Anthony Sul didn’t know Denzell very well, but he couldn’t imagine not helping out. The 17-year-old organized a potluck Thursday night to raise $135 for the Hines family. He’ll combine the money with more than $1,500 that was collected at West High to start a scholarship fund in Denzell’s memory. “The thing that’s been pushing me, is trying to get the whole community to break bread over this one person,” Anthony said. Picture collages and heartfelt messages in honor of Denzell are draped around the campus courtyard this week. School counselors opened the library during lunch hour to invite students to write messages and talk about the loss. “I’ve been hearing kids share anecdotes about him and just talk about who he was,” Assistant Principal Karen Alcorn said. “The kids have really been amazing.” West High students were hit hard again last January when West High junior Michael Ucci was killed in a car crash and three other students were severely injured. Alcorn said in the midst of both tragedies, she’s seen students come together to help out the victims’ families. He drove by the crash scene at the intersection of Corral Hollow and Schulte roads Friday night just minutes after Denzell was hit. Anthony is friends with the driver of the car that struck Denzell, 19-year-old John Holland. “I sat there thinking, this family is going to go through a hard thing. I’ve got to do something,” he said. “To me, no matter who you are, everybody’s family.” •We want to hear what you have to say. To reach Tracy Press reporter Danielle MacMurchy, call 830-4221 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
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(49)
 written by Amanda Hartley , May 09, 2008
I just wanna say how sad I am to Denzell's family. My brother-in-law was very good friends with him, and I can just tell by how hurt he is, that Denzell was a wonderful person! God bless
  written by Fed Up , May 10, 2008
It's great to see a young man working so hard to help out. Good job Anthony.
Happy Jack is pathetic.  written by LawDog , May 10, 2008
Rumor has it that this kid was involved in a robbery a month a go, he and 2 other friends robbed some girls that went to West. Does any one know about this, I heard they were going to court next week ??? TY all Tracy people for donating money for the negligence of a child and the carelessness of his parents.
 How about setting up a fund for the driver, what he must be going through  written by dont be stupid , May 10, 2008
He died. don't be disrespectful it really ain't necessary
 written by ignorant ppl , May 10, 2008
why would u even mention about a robbery right now..? lots of people just lost one of their loved one and a very close friend..i never really knew denzell that well but i did see him around campus when i attended west high last year and one thing i can tell you is that he had LOTS of friends who cared deeply for him...so to mention a freakin robbery that he was supposeably involved in is careless and ignorant... God forbid one of you family members pass away and they were involved in a criminal act how would u feel..so before you go rambling at the mouth, have sympathy and give condolenses to the family!
 written by Dominique , May 10, 2008
You know what...By sitting here and reading all these negative comments are just unessasary. Like i just read,a "RUMOR" is going around. No one should judge anybody by a rumor. And if that was the case. Oh well it's all in the past. Thats everybody's problem now a days, they live in the past instead of the present and future. What Anthony is doing for the family i think i sooo wonderful and kind hearted. To Denzell and his family, my prayers are with you and God Bless.
  written by SAD , May 10, 2008
CONGRATS TO ALL YOU PERFECT PEOPLE THAT MADE THOSE RUDE COMMENTS YOU MUST BE PROUD OF YOUR SELF TO THE FAMILY IM SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS
 written by just a girrl who new the boyy , May 10, 2008
i knew Denzell and we were pretty close, and yeah some times he would do some pretty crazy things but he would never purposly harm someone. i would know i went through troubles with him but we never stopped being friends, and he would always fix his mistakes, so for someone to disrespect him and make a comment like that i think is wayy out of line. You need to just keep your comments to yourself.
I love you Denzell, may you rest in paridise. and much love to your family.  written by vargas connie , May 10, 2008
My heart and prayers go out to the family of beloved Denzell Hines.
Skateboarders will always have a special place in my heart. For those new to Tracy I lost my son in 1994 in a car accident. My son Daniel Vargas was a Pro-Skateboarder and Violinist. He and his girlfriend were both killed in the car. Every time I hear of a young person leaving our world it brings pain and tears to my eyes. My deepest sympathy to Denzell's parents and family members. Your son was loved by so many wonderful people. Remember the love your child had for you all. If I can ever be of help please contact me at 209-833-6170. God Be with you and all the family. I'm very sad for your loss. connie vargas  written by restinparadise , May 10, 2008
everybody that leaving negative comment that just disrespectful show some respect.
REST IN PARADISE ZELL written by LawDog , May 11, 2008
wow how funny, no one denies the rumor of him and two friends robbing two young girls. I asked if there was truth to the rumor because my kids that go to West know one of the girld that were robbed, and she said Denzell was one of them. Im sure we will all find out soon enough. My heart go's out to his family and Johns family. I would give money to Johns family for counseling.
The question still remains, where was Denzells Mom & Dad, i surely wouldnt let my kids be out at 10:30pm.  written by Cathy Hill , May 11, 2008
Come on now LawDog, this isn't the time for this... This is a tragedy for eveyone concerned. To the family and friends of this boy: I am so sorry for your loss and my prayers are with you. To the driver who hit the boy: I am also very sorry and concerned for you. It was a terrible accident. What you are going through must also be horrible. My prayers are with you all...
 written by shame on who?! , May 11, 2008
Thank you LawDog for letting those of us who don't know about the robbery. I had no idea and am glad someone told us what he did. Just because you die, you are not relieved of your guilt!
A crime was committed by this young man and I'm sure the victims haven't been relieved of their fear and trauma from his disrespectful act! Sad how people want to put a person on a pedestal when they die and forget their flaws and shortcomings. If this were a family memorial page that they created, then it would be disrespectful to bring it up. But since this is a PUBLIC forum from the press, it is a great place to ask details and report facts. Whether you all want to forget the facts or not. I'm with you LawDog.  written by X's Mom , May 11, 2008
Have you ever heard of Karma? Keep doing what you do and God may need one of you. Be careful about being so perfect in parenting. Never say never. You cannot be with your kids 24/7. Two families are suffering dearly and I don't feel this is the time to air dirty laundry. No one is running for presidency or any political office so stop the nonsense. Tragedy can strike anywhere and anytime. I keep my rope tight on my kids also but I still have sympathy for others who gives space to their children and tragedy arrives. Could you imagine burying your child two days before Mother's Day? Have a damn heart. This is not the time for this nonsense.
 written by Kaeeesha , May 11, 2008
He victomized some chick from west hell high. so what so special about this guy except him victumizing people. there were probably more. minus one scumbucket from planet earth.
..., Lowly rated comment [Show]
 written by Amanda, a West High Student , May 11, 2008
Law Dog, I would like to know who your kids are because I bet they are the girls or boys that walk around acting like they are god and can do no wrong because Daddy/Mommy call them princess or prince. My ass you wouldn't let them out past 10pm. When they tell you they are at a friends house, they're not. Grow a pair of balls, act like an adult, and remove your nasty opinions from these blogging zones.
written by LawDog , May 11, 2008
Amanda, im sorry your a ugly snot noised brat that gets no love from her parents. If you had parents that gave a sh=t about you, you would understand not only what im saying, but also a lot of others have been saying. I would never let my kids walk home or skateboard home at night, and it sounds to me like Denzell parents were ignorant to their problem child. If he was in trouble he shouldnt have been out any ways.
 written by I Kno The Truth.. , May 11, 2008
Good Job Sul, I glad you were able to step up and do all of this.. Sorry I was unable to attend this potluck. And it was just too hard too. With what everyones been saying (LIES). I cant believe everyone has to bring the negative out. Its not the right time for it and it was in the past so let it go. Im sorry to say this but a lot of people dnt like to move on and forgive. Even tho it is hard, its a great thing to do for yourself. I, myself, is inbetween this tragedy I kno Denzell and The Driver just as a year ago I was strucken with the tragedy of My Baybee Mike Ucci. These 2 accidents are completely different but the similaries are I knew The People involved. And no one needs to be pointing fingers at no one. It was an ACCIDENT. Rest In Paradise Denzell Hines && Mike Ucci!! I love you both.. I love you too bret and bubba!!
written by Kaeeesha , May 11, 2008
Has the driver been treated as of yet? Poor sould, I bet the driver needs some counseling. I hope the driver is alright. It was Denzeles time to clock out i guess. I hope the victum or victums of his crime are relieved he isn't around to hurt them any more. Maybe it would have been a true loss to our town if he wasn't such a thief.
 written by annoyed , May 12, 2008
To my knowledge he was abusing drugs and alchohol the evening of his death. It is sad that such a young kid was involved in that my hearts go out to his parents it was the drugs that made him dart out in traffic in front of the car that hit him. Now that young man has to live the rest of his life knowing he killed a teenager but he should know it was not his fault.
 written by asdflk , May 12, 2008
i had denzell in my art class and EVERYDAY that he FINNALLY showed up for class he has high, and he would even tell the teacher, and was always sent out. I'm sure he was a good kid to ppl but he was no saint. BY FAR the worst kid in my art class, the 3 months he was there
written by asdflk , May 12, 2008
amanda makes all of us smart west high students look retarded...
west high is a very smart academic school if the kid wants to be, there are the classes out there (like AP), just hope u parents dont think west high is full of idiots, cuz were not. and denzell was young and extremely ignorant, yet still no one deserves to die and my heart goes out to the driver that must deal with this and zells family  written by Shareece , May 12, 2008
I think the scholarship idea was very nice, I knew Denzell very well and he touched many lives, I'm sure everyone who knew him would support and appreciate your hard work to create a scholarship in his honor. I hope everything works out.
 written by DAVE ROCHA , May 12, 2008
HE WAS A JACKASS. TELL THE TRUTH PEOPLE. ANOTHER CRAZY KID ENDS UP WHAT HE DESERVES
written by LawDog , May 12, 2008
To Shareece, there is no way in hell he deserves to have a scholarship in his name unless its named why not to be a loser.
written by LawDog , May 12, 2008
The scholarship should be set up for John, the one that has to live with what happened that night. I hope Johns parents get a great attorney and sues the piss out of their insurance company, in fact I know a great attorney that works on contigency, the law firm is Hinton, Alfert & Sumner in Walnut Creek Ca.
 written by Kaeeesha , May 12, 2008
I hope the driver is alright and understands the good little boy that is portrayed here was just another CHUMP BULLY who takes other peoples property. Drugs or alchohol also probly must have played a important part of Denzells lack of judgement in traffic situations. He is only a VICTUM of his OWN STUPIDITY. His friends are co~signing his stupid delinquent behavior and probebly are just like him themselves. Besides he looks like a dummy.
written by LawDog , May 12, 2008
Dave Rocha, I love a person that doesnt beat around the bush and states the facts.
  written by oh wow! , May 12, 2008
I dont understand why everyone thinks they know every little detail when they werent there. Dont be stupid and say stuff when you didnt even know the kid. Have some respect. Think about it,what if it was one of your friends who died.You wouldnt want people saying all the stuff that you are about him. You have no respect saying he is "Jackass" or "He is only a VICTUM of his OWN STUPIDITY" No one has the right to talk the way the are. You cant watch your kids 24/7. And it doesnt give you the right to say otherwise because you probably do let them off the hook sometime.
Rest In Paradise Dezell Hines and my prayers are with you and your family i love you and you will be missed. written by Kaeeesha , May 12, 2008
IF MY KID was even THINKING about taking something be it DRUGS or someone elses Ipod, backpack or pencil they would quickly learn from me (a parent) that there are seriouse consequences in life for doing such things. The LEAST OF THEIR WORRIES WOULD BE THE POLICE. A good kids behavior and caracter STARTS at home and at the dinner table. It makes me want to puke purple passion for this BUM because his parents allows this stuff to go on. By not knocking sence in to his head is what just may have kept him from enjoying his summer. The ONLY GOOD has come out of all this is some other kids will not be a victum of his dumass ANYMORE! Maybe you should look at his so called greatnes and evaluate yours so this may not happen to you. What were his PARENTS DOING? I should not ask, it will result in another dumbass answer=excuses.
written by oh wow! , May 12, 2008
Thats still doesnt give you the right to be saying the stuff you are. Some parents arent as hard on their kids than others. You can say the stuff you are, but you are just showing people who are reading this that you are a COLD HARDED person. And you probably dont even know the family so dont say stuff when you dont even know what they say at the dinner table to build character. You have no respect for anyone but yourself. and LawDog im not from Oakland. rethink stuff before you say it. k? thanks
 written by onesided , May 13, 2008
He was a 16 year old kid. Good or bad, he had his whole life ahead of him. I had a lot of problems as a teenager, from drugs to running away from home at 14. My parents were strict, but I managed to find the wrong crowd. The only place I could associate with these kids was school, and that's where I got high. When I turned 17 I became involved with some good people, joined a church and turned my life around. Now, I'm a Grandma and have great kids. I'm very sorry for his family and friends. I hope the driver gets counseling, it wasn't his fault.
written by onesided , May 13, 2008
Kaeeesha, does have a good idea. The scholarship should go to the driver, for school or his medical costs. That would at least a step in the right direction.
 written by suprised , May 15, 2008
lawdog and kaeesha, do you hear yourselves? Look how horrible you sound. You are ridiculing and judging someone you DID NOT know. He was one of my close friends. You are calling his parents ignorant and being hateful.How dare you speak on someone deceased whom, once again, you DID NOT know. I understand that it was not John's fault, i feel what he is going through. He did not mean to do it at all. But you say that he should have the scholarhsip in his name. Well John is not the one we are mournig over, we are mourning over a lost life of a good friend. And basically you two say that he desrved to die because of the choices he made. Yes he did make choices that were not always smart, that i know.But how can you sit here and say that he was a "chump bully"?did you know him?did you know what kind of person he was?NO.His FRIENDS DO NOT YOU. And how dare you speak on him like that.have you no heart whatso ever.Say one of your relatives was "bad" and they died im pretty sure you wouldnt like it if some random person who didnt know them came around saying they deserved to die no would you? Denzell. . as such a good hearted person, and i am not just saying that because he died.no regardless dead or alive he was a good person, yes he made stupid choices but in the words of jesus"LET HIM WHO IS WITHOUT SIN CAST THE FIRST STONE". Neither of you are perfect and you act like you have never made a bad choice.but regardless of what choices he made he still meant well and had a good heart.he was so nice, and he always was nice to me and all his friends. You dont know anything about him do you except from what you "HEARD".Well did you know he was to get saved two day later?.I am so surprised at you hateful people. you should be ashamed of yourself.i am not saying that Denzell was perfect yes he did make stupid choices, but no one derserves to die because of them.have some respect.keep your horrible opinions to yourself.denzell brah i love you, shine down on us,lep it lite
written by LawDog , May 15, 2008
surprised, I never said he deserved to die, I simply stated facts. he was a very bad kid, and was a racist little man. The parents shouldve been keeping closer track of such a troubled kid. He was getting saved so he could tell the judge he was soory and asked our lord for forgiveness, im not impressed. I have 3 kids at West and all 3 of them and their friends say he was a thief, racist, used drugs, and was soon to be convicted for robbery. Shut your trap, no he shouldnt of died, but he was a punk that hung out with punks!!!!!!!!!!!!
written by restinparadise , May 15, 2008 REST IN PARADISE ZELLY ZELL  written by Involved parent Tracy 10 yrs. , May 16, 2008
As a parent involved coaching babe ruth and tracy express as a family, I am truly disturbed by the comments of Mr. D Rocha he also being involved with the Tracy Raiders, him being an arrogant man, with other than his sons friends being the only positive people to say anything nice in regards to his coaching, for all reading please spare hatred towards his children both son and daughter, who are respectable, caring citizens as well as his sister who works within the school district. No one other than hateful murders and molesters deserve death, even then it is a higher power who will ultimately make that decision. You Mr. Rocha are a disgrace to this community as well as the Portugese citizens who have resided in this community. As for Law Dog you are no better to speak of this families private matters, they as you have to answer and it is not your place to bring this to the attention of our community. They have suffered a terrible loss to their family, no one has stated it affected our community other than to say, we all assume Tracy is a safe place to reside, it was at least still several yrs. ago. However most people bring their children here for a better life than the city. Duragatory parents will not make our community better, It takes involvement, instead of a big mouth step up, become involved, as for your children, no child is perfect,and you should not involve them in your hatred. My condolonscences to the family, I pray the hatred that has been expressed to all families involved, stop. We all have to answer for our actions and Karma is a terrible thing. We all try to do our best and ultimately our children make the decisions daily how they will live their lives, all we can do is teach them to respect others as no one knows how anyone lives behind close doors, no one lives in a glass house. I challenge both men to be bigger human beings and apologize, maybe not for how they feel, but for their hatred at both families expense, this is not the place.
 written by WTF , May 16, 2008
MISS V - So you preach about judgement, but you call the other kid a killer? Interesting........
 written by OH LORD..... , May 18, 2008
TRUTH IS...DENZELL WAS AND WILL ALWAYZ BE A GOOD FRIEND TO THE KIDS THAT KNEW HIM. YOU CANT SIT THERE AND TALK SMACK ABOUT PPL YOU DONT KNOW AND BASE YOUR OPINIONS ON STUFF YOU HEAR.PLUS EVER HEAR THIS "DONT JUDGE A BOOK BY IT'S COVER" WHAT DENZELL DID OUTSIDE OF HIM NEVER OVERPOWERED THE LOVE HE HAD INSIDE OF HIS HEART..THE LOVE HE SHOWED TO HIS FRIENDS AND FAMILY. THOSE NEGATIVE COMMENTS ONLY TRULY SHOW HOW BIG YOUR HEARTS ARE. THOSE POSITIVE ONES MEAN THE WORLD TO US. CUZ DENZELL WAS NOT A SO CALLED "PUNK OR JACKASS" . DENZELL WAS A LOVING CHARACTER..CONSTANTLY MADE US LAFF..BRIGHTEN EVERYONE'S DAY..AND U KNOW WAT IS TRUE..YOU PARENTS WHO SAY YOU WOULD NEVER LET CHUR KIDS OUT PAST 10:30..U KNOW WELL THATS A LIE..BECUASE WHEN U LET UR KIDS GO TO A FRIENDS HOUSE OR THE MOVIES. DO ME A FAVOR DONT ALWAYZ THINK THEY ARE LITTLE SAINTS. UR NOT THERE AWARE OF WAT THEY ARE DOING. NEWAYZ. BACK TO DENZELL. WE MISS YOU BRUH. I WILL SEE YOU AGAIN..DO IT BIG FOR US KAE..I'LL MEET YOU UP THERE IN THE SKY ONE SWEET DAY..
Rest In Paradise DENZELL!!!! WE GON KEEP IT LIT FOR YOU BREH..  written by MISSV , May 19, 2008
he is a killer if it was an accident or not somebodies life was taken and he took it and in that action and manner he is a killer.
written by MISSV , May 19, 2008
and if they fine him guilty Denzell death will be ruled a vehicular manslaughter...so he killed an inocent boy and that makes him a killer rather he ment to do it or it was an accident!!
 written by suprised , May 19, 2008
law dog,
HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT ABOUT HIM?DO YOU KNOW HIM?DID YOUR KIDS PERSONALLY KNOW HIM?WERE THEY FRIENDS WITH HIM?. . NO! LIKE I SAID YES HE MADE STUPID CHOICES AND HE KNEW THAT, WE KNEW IT TOO, BUT THAT DOES NOT JUSTIFY YOUR POINT AT ALL.HE WAS NOT GETTING SAVED FOR THE TO GET ON THE JUDGES GOOD SIDE, HE WAS DOING IT FOR HIMSELF. WILL NOT SIT UP HERE AND SAY HE WAS A SAINT OF SOME SORT BECAUSE HE WAS GETTING SAVED BUT, THE PURPOSE OF BEING SAVED IS TO ADMIT TO GOD THAT YOU KNOW YOU HAVE SINNED AND YOU WANT HIM TO SAVE YOU.HE HAD A GOOD HEART.AND YOU CANT SAY YOU KNEW WHO HE WAS BECAUSE YOU DONT POINT BLANK. .AND HOW DARE YOU SAY HE WAS RACIST!. . DID YOU KNOW ALL OF HIS FRIENDS WERE A WIDE VARIETY OF RACES INCLUDING WHITE!I DONT THINK HE IS THE ONE THAT WAS RACIST I THINK YOU ARE THE ONE THAT COULD POSSIBLY BE, BUT I WILL NOT SAY THAT YOU ARE BECAUS EI DONT JUDGE PEOPLE I DO NOT KNOW.BUT I KNOW SOMETHING, I KNOW AN ILL HEARTED PERSON WHEN I SEE ONE, AND I THINK I MIGHT BE HAVING A CONVERSATION WITH ONE. . YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF, HOW CAN YOU CALL YOURSELF AN ADULT,LOOK HOW YOUR BEHAVING?, YOU WERE NOT JUST STATING THE FACTS, YOU WERE PUTTING YOUR UNWANTED OPINION IN,A NEGATIVE ONE AT THAT.I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS FORUM IS TO COMMENT AND PUT YOUR OPINIONS UP, BUT THIS ARTICAL WAS SUPPOSED TO BE POSITIVE AND YOU CORUPTED IT INTO SOMETHING TERRIBLE.HOW DARE YOU CRITISIZE HIS PARENTS, THEY ARE DOING THEIR BEST, YOU MAKE IT SEEM LIKE THEY DONT CARE AT ALL.YES I KNOW THAT HE WAS OUT SOMEWHAT LATE, BUT WHAT CAN HIS MOTHER DO?SHE CANT BE WITH HIM 24/7.ITS NOT LIEK HE WAS OUT ROBBING PEOPLE HE WAS OUT PLAYING VIDEO GAMES WITH SOME FRIENDS LIKE MOST BOYS DO ON A FRIDAY NIGHT.. . ITS A SHAME WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE YOU FIND IN THIS WORLD TODAY. written by LawDog , May 20, 2008
involved parent tracy 10years, I hope you can stay in Tracy coaching, and just because you have been here in Tracy for 10 means nothing. I have been here in Tracy for 25 years and have 2 girls at West, and 3 stepsons at West. If your a coach for one of my sons and I find out, I will pull him out and make sure you know why. If you dont see what the difference is between a ghetto person from Oakland and a educated person from Oakland is, your know better than the rest. LOL in your coaching.
MissV, wawawawa, The facts are facts, he was a trouble maker and never shouldve been out that late, and hes robbed some one else in the past, why not again ??? Shut your trap !!!  written by saddness for both sides , May 23, 2008
MISSV, yes, John did kill another human being... unintentionally. All signs point to it being an accident. And the fact of the matter is this, John took accountibility for his actions. As to where most kids 19 years old would have driven off and try to hide from the truth. I feel awful for Denzell and his family and for the saddness that they will feel for the rest of their lives. Though keep in mind, John will suffer post traumatic stress of the accident for the rest of his life. He took accountability. Something I can't say for the rest of the teens in this city.
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