DA Requests Coroner's Inquest In Columbine Death

GOLDEN, Colo. -- The Jefferson County district attorney has requested a coroner's inquest into the death of Columbine student Daniel Rohrbough.

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Julie Hayden reports on the DA's request for an inquest.Tony Kovaleski explains how a Coroner's Inquest works. See What Ballistics Report Shows Find Out First!Sign up for Breaking News Alerts by Email.

Thomas issued a request for the investigation Monday afternoon. He said the inquest -- which can be similar to a trial -- would be held in public and would look into claims Rohrbough was shot by police at Columbine High School.

A Monday afternoon release from his office stated:

"In light of the considerable public controversy concerning the means and manner of his death, the district attorney believes that a coroner's inquest might serve to answer some of the questions being raised. While an inquest is very limited in scope, it would be an open proceeding and, therefore, Thomas believes, of great value to the interested parties."

An attorney for Rohrbough and five other families had asked Thomas for a grand jury investigation. Thomas said an inquest might be a better way to answer questions for the family and the public. A grand jury is held in secret.

Jefferson County Coroner Carl Blesch has said he would consider an inquest if family members or authorities request it. He said he would announce his decision about the district attorney's request at a Thursday afternoon news conference.

The governor's Columbine Commission, which investigated the Columbine shootings, didn't have subpoena powers and the coroner's inquest would. Jefferson County sheriff John Stone refused to appear before the Columbine Commission, but could be compelled to appear at the coroner's inquest.

A coroner's inquest would only investigate the manner of death, according to 7NEWS Investigative Reporter Tony Kovaleski. He talked with Blesch about just such a possibility last week, he said.

Investigators said teen gunmen Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold killed 12 students, including Rohrbough, and a teacher before killing themselves on April 20, 1999.

After meeting with the Arapahoe County sheirff last Friday, Brian Rohrbough said he was convinced more than ever that is was a law enforcement officer, and not Columbine gunmen, who killed his son (pictured, right).

According to the Rohrboughs, Daniel Rohrbough's autopsy showed that he was killed by a bullet that was fired from the front in an upward trajectory, 7NEWS reported.

The Rohrboughs said that the ballistics map showed that there were no shell casings from Harris or Klebold in the area where the shot was fired.

However, there were three 9 mm shell casings found near Daniel Rohrbough's body that belonged to Denver SWAT Officer Dan O'Shea, Brian Rohrbough said, and that given that evidence, Harris and Klebold were not in a position to kill their son, but O'Shea was.

"If it was a mistake, tell us it was a mistake," Brian Rohrbough said Friday . "If we are mistaken, show us we are mistaken. But let's get to the bottom of what happened that day at Columbine."

Brian Rohrbough said it took two years for the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department to hand over the ballistics maps because he said authorities were trying to cover up what they know.

Relatives of Columbine victims also have asked for a federal grand jury to investigate the slayings of 12 students and one teacher.

Jeff Dorschner, spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office in Denver, said the decision to request an inquest would have no impact on whether a grand jury would be convened.