SHERIFF CAN KEEP COLUMBINE TAPES |
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by The Associated Press Lawyers, Guns and Hush Money -- Burying the Truth at Columbine DENVER - The Colorado Supreme Court said Tuesday a sheriff's office can refuse to release videotapes and writings made by the Columbine gunmen before their massacre. The Jefferson County sheriff's office seized the material from the homes of Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold shortly after the two killed 12 students and a teacher in April 1999. The Denver Post filed suit seeking the material after the sheriff's office refused to make it public. The Supreme Court said the materials are public records, but because they were seized as part of a criminal investigation, state law allows the sheriff's office to determine whether releasing them is in the public interest. The material includes the "basement tapes," videos on which the teens show off their arsenal and talk about their plan to attack the school. Also included is a journal by Harris' father, Wayne Harris, according to court documents.
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