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Commission will listen to comments Monday
By Jeff KassDenver Rocky Mountain News Staff Writer
The Governor's Columbine Review Commission will listen to the public for the first time Monday and may get an earful from the families of victims. In past meetings, the commission has generally limited speakers to government officials and experts in areas such as law enforcement. "A lot of things have occurred that have caused us to want to get testimony that is broader than what we have at the present time," said commission Chairman William Erickson, a former Colorado Supreme Court Chief Justice. The commission has been stymied in its attempt to review the police investigation into the Columbine High shootings because Jefferson County Sheriff John Stone and his top deputies have refused to testify. County officials contend they can't speak freely because the county has been sued by a number of victims and families of those killed in the attack. Erickson said people wanting to speak Monday will be asked to submit a statement two paragraphs long on what they want to say. The commission will then decide whose testimony to take. Erickson said the intention is not to weed out certain points of view but to ensure that testimony will be relevant to the commission and not duplicated. The decision to hear public comment comes in the wake of a letter-writing campaign by Randy Brown, a critic of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office response to the Columbine High shootings. Brown welcomed the opportunity to speak during the 10 a.m. meeting at Jefferson County Courthouse. "This is a good chance to get the people's sides, the parents' sides, who know what's going on," he said. Erickson would not say how much influence Brown or others had on the decision to listen to public concerns. He said the commission has long been interested in such testimony. The shootings on April 20, 1999, left 15 dead. Shooters Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold shot themselves after killing 12 students and a teacher. The decision to hear public testimony surprised several in the Columbine community. Melody Smith, the sister-in-law of slain teacher Dave Sanders and a spokeswoman for a group representing victims' families, was unaware the commission wanted to hear from them. Brown, and Brian Rohrbough, the father of slain student Daniel Rohrbough, also were unaware. "Obviously, since they haven't contacted me, they could care less how I was treated," Rohrbough said. Rohrbough said that because he is suing the Sheriff's Office, he cannot discuss certain issues before the commission. But he would consider testifying about how he was treated by law enforcement officials and others after the shootings. "I may have a word or two with them," he said. Erickson would not disclose Tuesday how many people have contacted the commission about testifying. For information, call: 303-239-4472 . September 27, 2000
The Governor's Columbine Review Commission will listen to the public for the first time Monday and may get an earful from the families of victims.
In past meetings, the commission has generally limited speakers to government officials and experts in areas such as law enforcement.
"A lot of things have occurred that have caused us to want to get testimony that is broader than what we have at the present time," said commission Chairman William Erickson, a former Colorado Supreme Court Chief Justice.
The commission has been stymied in its attempt to review the police investigation into the Columbine High shootings because Jefferson County Sheriff John Stone and his top deputies have refused to testify.
County officials contend they can't speak freely because the county has been sued by a number of victims and families of those killed in the attack.
Erickson said people wanting to speak Monday will be asked to submit a statement two paragraphs long on what they want to say. The commission will then decide whose testimony to take.
Erickson said the intention is not to weed out certain points of view but to ensure that testimony will be relevant to the commission and not duplicated.
The decision to hear public comment comes in the wake of a letter-writing campaign by Randy Brown, a critic of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office response to the Columbine High shootings.
Brown welcomed the opportunity to speak during the 10 a.m. meeting at Jefferson County Courthouse.
"This is a good chance to get the people's sides, the parents' sides, who know what's going on," he said.
Erickson would not say how much influence Brown or others had on the decision to listen to public concerns. He said the commission has long been interested in such testimony.
The shootings on April 20, 1999, left 15 dead. Shooters Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold shot themselves after killing 12 students and a teacher.
The decision to hear public testimony surprised several in the Columbine community.
Melody Smith, the sister-in-law of slain teacher Dave Sanders and a spokeswoman for a group representing victims' families, was unaware the commission wanted to hear from them.
Brown, and Brian Rohrbough, the father of slain student Daniel Rohrbough, also were unaware.
"Obviously, since they haven't contacted me, they could care less how I was treated," Rohrbough said.
Rohrbough said that because he is suing the Sheriff's Office, he cannot discuss certain issues before the commission. But he would consider testifying about how he was treated by law enforcement officials and others after the shootings.
"I may have a word or two with them," he said.
Erickson would not disclose Tuesday how many people have contacted the commission about testifying.
For information, call: 303-239-4472 .
September 27, 2000
