1997 Directed Report: Difference between revisions
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== Timeline of Randy Brown's eventual claim of authorship == | == Timeline of Randy Brown's eventual claim of authorship == | ||
For many years, Randy Brown denied making the 1997 report to police until one day, he started claiming he was the anonymous "concerned citizen." However, he didn't come to this conclusion on his own. Brown said the police had to come to his house and show him a paper trail to convince him, and even then he still said he doesn't remember reporting Eric in 1997. His story eventually changed and now he says he remembers making the report. | |||
As of February 8, 2004, Randy talked about the 1997 report as if he still had no idea who reported Eric. | |||
By August 8, 2005 he was still calling the report anonymous. | |||
By January 10, 2006 Randy was now saying he is the person who reported Eric's website to the police in 1997. | |||
Below is a timeline of this progression. | |||
=== October 29, 2003 === | === October 29, 2003 === | ||
| Line 34: | Line 43: | ||
''Columbine finding frustrates sheriff'' | ''Columbine finding frustrates sheriff'' | ||
=== February 25, 2004 === | |||
==== A 4-month investigation claims the Browns made the 1997 report ==== | |||
The Colorado state Attorney General's office conducted an investigation into the 1997 directed report and concluded that it was made by the Brown family. The Browns didn't remember making this report at all, and everyone was shocked they didn't remember since they had been on top of every detail. | |||
From the Denver Post: | |||
"The source of that report: Columbine parents Randy and Judy Brown, who had said they had no memory of making it. | |||
Investigators from the Colorado attorney general's office reached that conclusion after a four-month probe. They have informed the Browns about the finding." | |||
/ | |||
"But Bruce Beck, stepfather of slain student Lauren Townsend, said the Browns forgot they had made an earlier report on Aug. 7, 1997. "They completely forgot they ever made the complaint," he said. | |||
Beck and his wife, Dawn Anna, Lauren's mother, were told of the discovery by the Browns. Beck said that the Browns were convinced, based on the investigative work done, that they made the Aug. 7, 1997, report. | |||
'The investigators came to their house and basically showed them the trail of how they knew it was them,' Beck said. | |||
Beck said he was surprised that the Browns didn't recall making the earlier report. 'They have been so aware, on top of everything, that I didn't believe it at first,' he said." | |||
'''Source''': The Denver Post. February 25, 2004 | |||
''<nowiki/>'97 Columbine report traced'' | |||
''Trail leads to Browns; friend says it might have prevented killings'' | |||
Revision as of 00:03, 24 November 2023
Timeline of Randy Brown's eventual claim of authorship
For many years, Randy Brown denied making the 1997 report to police until one day, he started claiming he was the anonymous "concerned citizen." However, he didn't come to this conclusion on his own. Brown said the police had to come to his house and show him a paper trail to convince him, and even then he still said he doesn't remember reporting Eric in 1997. His story eventually changed and now he says he remembers making the report.
As of February 8, 2004, Randy talked about the 1997 report as if he still had no idea who reported Eric.
By August 8, 2005 he was still calling the report anonymous.
By January 10, 2006 Randy was now saying he is the person who reported Eric's website to the police in 1997.
Below is a timeline of this progression.
October 29, 2003
The existence of the directed report is revealed
On October 29, 2003, Jefferson County Sheriff Ted Mink disclosed to a room full of Columbine parents and reporters that they had recently found an internal memo (a "directed report") regarding an anonymous tip given to police about Eric Harris' website. The original directed report can be seen here:
Here is a text version of this directed report:
Directed Report
Date This Report: 08/07/1997
To: Inv. Hicks
From: M. Burgess
Directed Report
On 08/07/1997 I was contacted by a concerned citizen reference Eric Harris, A 15 year old white male living in the 8200 block of S. Reed St. Eric Harris is the author of a web page, see attached copies printed from his web site. He also refers to two of his followers "Vodka", Dillon Klebold and "Kibbz", Zach Heckler. This web page refers to "missions" where possible criminal mischiefs have occurred.
Officer Signature: MG Burgess
Unit 143 Number 0319
Randy Brown reacts to the directed report's revelation
Randy Brown was present at the meeting that disclosed the existence of this directed report. At this time, he didn't take credit for filing this report. He responded to this revelation like everyone else - seeing it as yet another missed opportunity.
Brown told the Denver Post, "I think everyone in the room cried," Randy Brown said. "Because - again - this is a missed opportunity."
Source: The Denver Post. October 30, 2003
'97 report of Harris' website unheeded
Columbine finding frustrates sheriff
February 25, 2004
A 4-month investigation claims the Browns made the 1997 report
The Colorado state Attorney General's office conducted an investigation into the 1997 directed report and concluded that it was made by the Brown family. The Browns didn't remember making this report at all, and everyone was shocked they didn't remember since they had been on top of every detail.
From the Denver Post:
"The source of that report: Columbine parents Randy and Judy Brown, who had said they had no memory of making it.
Investigators from the Colorado attorney general's office reached that conclusion after a four-month probe. They have informed the Browns about the finding."
/
"But Bruce Beck, stepfather of slain student Lauren Townsend, said the Browns forgot they had made an earlier report on Aug. 7, 1997. "They completely forgot they ever made the complaint," he said.
Beck and his wife, Dawn Anna, Lauren's mother, were told of the discovery by the Browns. Beck said that the Browns were convinced, based on the investigative work done, that they made the Aug. 7, 1997, report.
'The investigators came to their house and basically showed them the trail of how they knew it was them,' Beck said.
Beck said he was surprised that the Browns didn't recall making the earlier report. 'They have been so aware, on top of everything, that I didn't believe it at first,' he said."
Source: The Denver Post. February 25, 2004
'97 Columbine report traced
Trail leads to Browns; friend says it might have prevented killings