The forum brought further awareness to a case that has already been closed once due to a lack of leads. Despite the assault taking place in a crowded bar, no witnesses have stepped forward. Local citizens have raised about $6,000 in reward money for anyone with information that could lead to arrests, a movement that was precipitated by an Op-ed written by John C. Hughes (Descher’s uncle) that appeared in Washington newspapers.

The Pullman police have also labeled the crime as assault and not as a hate crime, saying there is insufficient evidence linking the racial remark to the attack.

Hughes disagrees. “You don't need Sherlock Holmes or CSI to deduce that Descher likely was the victim of a hate crime.”