Settlements Offered in Columbine Suits

Nov. 29 -- The parents of the Columbine High School gunmenand one of the people who supplied them with weapons have offered a$1.6 million settlement to dozens of victims and their families.

The money, apparently to come from homeowners insurancepolicies, could be divided among as many as 37 families of thosekilled or injured in the deadliest school shooting in U.S. history.

The offer was contained in a Nov. 20 letter sent by C. MichaelMontgomery on behalf of the families of gunmen Eric Harris andDylan Klebold and Mark Manes, who supplied one of their guns.

“The offer is contingent upon the settlement fully and finallyresolving all of the claims of all of the victims and victims’families to whom the offer is being made,” said the letter,obtained Tuesday by some Denver media.

The settlement parties could include 13 victims’ familiesrepresented by a group of attorneys led by Stephen Wahlberg, sixfamilies represented by attorney James Rouse, and 18 families whohaven’t filed claims, according to the letter.

Leaked to Media

Gary Lozow, who represents the Klebolds, said he wasdisappointed the letter was leaked to the media. “The Klebolds arehopeful that the good-faith efforts will carry on for all of theparties,” Lozow said.

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The letter was sent in response to a Sept. 25 request fromlawyers representing wounded students Sean Graves and Lance Kirklinfor about $3 million in insurance coverage from the Harrises,Klebolds and three other defendants.

Wahlberg’s clients and other plaintiffs have until Dec. 22 tofile final amended lawsuits in federal court under a schedule setMonday.

Nine wrongful-death and negligence lawsuits are pending infederal court on behalf of about 20 victims’ families. Otherdefendants not included in the settlement talks include theJefferson County school district and sheriff’s office.

Harris and Klebold killed 12 students and one teacher beforekilling themselves during a rampage at the school on April 20,1999. Nearly two dozen others were injured.