ROBERT WELLER Associated Press writer | Posted: Thursday, March 2, 2006 12:00 am
DENVER - Authorities have asked Columbine High School victims and their families whether investigators should release tapes and journals made by the gunmen, acknowledging they "may be disturbing to those who suffered a deep, lifelong impact."
The Jefferson County sheriff's office seized the videotapes, audio tapes and writings during its investigation of the April 20, 1999, shootings, which left 12 students and a teacher dead. The two gunmen, Eric Harris, 18, and Dylan Klebold, 17, killed themselves.
The state Supreme Court has said Colorado law makes the sheriff responsible for deciding whether the material should be released.
Sheriff's spokeswoman Jacki Kelley said Wednesday Sheriff Ted Mink wanted to hear from the families before deciding. She said no decision has been made and that Mink would likely wait until after the seventh anniversary of the shootings next month to announce his plans.
Mink has not said whether the parents and victims will have the final word.
The Denver Post went to court seeking the release of the material, which includes a videotape the gunmen made of themselves, talking about their hatred for most people and their plan to attack the school. The sheriff's office and the gunmen's parents had argued the tapes and journals were private and could not legally be released.
In November, the state Supreme Court ruled the material was evidence and could be released but said the decision was up to the sheriff.
Kelley said the sheriff's office sent a letter to an "extensive" list of people but said she did not know the exact number.
"As someone affected deeply and personally by the Columbine shootings, your input is necessary and integral to the balancing process that must be undertaken," the letter said.
Brian Rohrbough, whose son, Daniel, was killed in the attack, said all the records should be released.
"It could be painful, it could be upsetting, but no one is forced to watch it. The most important issue isn't the curiosity, it is that kids keep dying in school shootings and no one taken the time to learn what is going on in our homes," he said.
"Parents could learn from these videotapes. They would see the dangers they are just kind of overlooking," he said.
Rohrbough has seen the video recordings, known as the "basement tapes," and they have already been shown to some members of the media.
Gary Lozow, a lawyer for Tom and Susan Klebold, said his clients object to the release of the video because it could result in copycat acts.
Ben Colkitt, a lawyer for Wayne and Katherine Harris, parents of Eric Harris, declined to comment.