Settlements Offered Columbine Suits

Wednesday, November 29th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

DENVER (AP) â€” The parents of the Columbine High School gunmen and 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 insurance policies, could be divided among as many as 37 families of those killed or injured in the deadliest school shooting in U.S. history.

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

``The offer is contingent upon the settlement fully and finally resolving 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' families represented by a group of attorneys led by Stephen Wahlberg, six families represented by attorney James Rouse, and 18 families who haven't filed claims, according to the letter.

Gary Lozow, who represents the Klebolds, said he was disappointed the letter was leaked to the media. ``The Klebolds are hopeful that the good-faith efforts will carry on for all of the parties,'' Lozow said.

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

Wahlberg's clients and other plaintiffs have until Dec. 22 to file final amended lawsuits in federal court under a schedule set Monday.

Nine wrongful-death and negligence lawsuits are pending in federal court on behalf of about 20 victims' families. Other defendants not included in the settlement talks include the Jefferson County school district and sheriff's office.

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