RockMountainNews.com
Advertisement

Columbine

Latest news:

Inside the Columbine investigation:

  • Part one
  • Part two
  • Part three

  • E-Mail This | Print This

    Judge seals autopsy reports

    By Kevin Vaughan
    Denver Rocky Mountain News Staff Writer


    JEFFERSON COUNTY -- A judge on Friday sealed the autopsy reports on the 15 people who died in the April 20 attack on Columbine High School.

    In making his ruling, District Judge Henry Nieto decided releasing the reports would do "substantial" harm to the public interest by prolonging the grief for families of the dead and the community.

    "This entire community is not just shocked by this event, but is hurt by this event," Nieto said in issuing his ruling, which came after 90 minutes of testimony -- some by families of victims -- and another 90 minutes of deliberations in his chambers.

    In Colorado, autopsy reports are presumed to be public records except in cases where a judge determines their release would do "substantial injury" to the public interest.

    Dr. Nancy Bodelson, Jefferson County's coroner, filed the petition to seal the reports. The families of 12 of the 13 victims supported her, and the family of one of the killers, Dylan Klebold, joined the effort Friday.

    Relatives of 10 victims appeared in court, and six testified.

    "This tragedy has been in our faces for the past five weeks," said Sue Townsend, whose stepdaughter, Lauren Townsend, was killed. "Reopening the wounds with the gory details is not going to help us heal."

    That same sentiment was expressed by others, including Bodelson.

    Attorneys for the Denver Rocky Mountain News and The Denver Post said the newspapers decided -- after much deliberation -- to oppose the motion to seal the reports because the principle of access to public records was too important.

    "We respect the parents' point of view," said John Temple, editor of the News. "But we believe the public interest would be best served by informing the public. We would certainly treat the personal details with discretion. But the questions how the victims died, where they died and whether speedier response could have saved them remain of vital public importance."

    In the end, Nieto sided with the families. He said the reports would be sealed until there is a criminal prosecution in the case or until a further court order.

    May 29, 1999

    Advertisement
    Advertisement
    SITE SERVICES
    PARTNERS
    SERVICES
    PROGRAMS