Kin ask judge to bar files from public, media

By M.E. Sprengelmeyer
Denver Rocky Mountain News Staff Writer

GOLDEN — Media attorneys argued Thursday for the public's right to know in calling for the release of autopsy reports from the Columbine High shootings.

But Dawn Anna, mother of victim Lauren Townsend, told a judge that releasing the autopsy reports would set back the healing for her and others.

"The mass release of these autopsies would be pulling off the scab," she said.

After the emotional hearing in Jefferson County District Court, Judge Brooke Jackson said he will rule on the matter after the holidays.

Attorneys for The Denver Post are seeking the release of all autopsy reports still under seal in the case, including those of 12 shooting victims and gunman Dylan Klebold.

The Denver Rocky Mountain News has requested only the report on Klebold's death.

The family of victim Isaiah Shoels previously released his autopsy report, and a judge released the report on gunman Eric Harris' death after his family did not object.

After the hearing, there was an angry confrontation in a courthouse hallway. Richard Petrone, stepfather of victim Daniel Rohrbough, confronted Post attorneys.

"You guys are so heartless it makes me sick," Petrone said. "When you're sitting there, smirking through the whole thing, it took everything in my power to keep me in my seat."

Colorado law makes autopsy reports public record except in extraordinary situations.

In an awkward alliance, attorneys for victims' families and gunman Klebold's parents argued that releasing the records would cause "substantial injury" to them and the public at large.

"We've shown that still 18 months later the trauma is still at its peak ... the emotional impact on the community," said attorney Jim Rouse, who represents six victims' families.

Post attorney Thomas Kelley said the public has a right to review the government's version of the autopsy reports.

As time passes, the emotional impact of releasing the reports lessens, Kelley said.

"These kinds of things impact the general public, sometimes terribly, but I think we all know that over time that impact lessens," Kelley said.

John Temple, editor of the News, said he believes all the autopsy reports are public record.

"However, we understand the feelings of the families and respect that," Temple said. "But we cannot accept that the autopsy of a mass murderer is private."

The newspaper lost an earlier court request for the other autopsy reports.