Display lays out physical evidence

Families are still looking for more answers.
LAKEWOOD, Colo. (AP) -- It was perhaps the most macabre display ever presented in a county fairgrounds building: nearly every piece of physical evidence from the Columbine High School massacre laid out for survivors and relatives of victims to see.
"Nothing can be any more horrible than to see your son's bloody chalk line," said Patricia DePooter, whose son, Corey, was killed along with 12 others April 20, 1999, at Columbine. Her teary face belied her attempt to minimize the import of seeing bloodied, bullet-riddled library chairs.
About 60 attended the event Wednesday, and all had to show identification to prove they belonged. An electronic sign outside flashed security messages: "No Purses," "No Bags," "ID Reqd." Deputy sheriffs, some accompanied by dogs, patrolled the grounds and building.
Some said the exhibition did little to answer their questions.
"They don't want to take the blame for this. That's why they are showing all this stuff," said Mark Taylor, who survived gunshot wounds to chest, arms and leg.
Report planned
Attorney General Ken Salazar planned to deliver a report today on whether the Jefferson County Sheriff's office paid enough attention to warnings that teen killer Eric Harris was making death threats. Afterward, he would allow the public to view the evidence.
Brian Rohrbough, whose son, Danny, died at Columbine, said he was hopeful that he would get the answers he and other family members have been seeking. He said if Salazar's investigation does not answer important questions "we're going to keep looking until we get the answers."
Rohrbough has been one of the most vocal critics of the sheriff department's failure to follow up on tips about Harris in the 18 months before Columbine. "I have a hard time sleeping at night because I cannot share with you what I know," he said hours before the report was to be released.
Rohrbough and some other relatives of victims have seen a deposition given by Wayne Harris, father of Eric Harris. A federal magistrate has ordered the deposition, which is already sealed, destroyed. It was given for a lawsuit against the parents of Harris and fellow gunman Dylan Klebold that has been settled.
Rohrbough also is pressing for release of an investigation by the school district, which the district insists it must withhold because teachers questioned during the probe haven't given their permission. Rohrbough is convinced school staff saw a video the teen killers made that gave a hint of their plans.
That video is among several being released today.
In the exhibit
Nearly every piece of evidence gathered after the massacre that left 13 dead was put on display at Wednesday's event: computer screens, tables and other furniture, shell casings, pieces of clothing sealed in bags. The family members and survivors who described the items said they were kept about three feet away as they walked past the tables. They could look, but not touch or remove items.
Some left in tears. Others were stoic. For many, it was a combination.
"The bullet holes in the seats, the bullet holes everywhere," said Betty Shoels, whose nephew Isaiah died, breaking into tears as she left.