Misjudging Two Teen Killers

Only weeks before they opened fire on classmates at Colorado's Columbine High School, Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris were described as teenagers with bright futures, according to reports prepared by the probation officer assigned to work with the youths following their 1998 arrest for breaking into a car.

After pleading guilty to trespass, theft, and criminal mischief, the teens entered a juvenile diversion program requiring them to perform community service, attend various classes, and submit to drug testing. Harris, though not Klebold, also had to attend anger management classes.

In these eerie Jefferson County District Court records, prepared when the teenagers completed the program in early-February, a diversion officer (whose name has been redacted by court officials) noted that Harris "excelled in school and never had any problems in this area." Klebold was termed "intelligent enough to make any dream a reality."

In addition to the two diversion reports, we've included a copy of the original criminal complaint filed against Harris (an identical one was filed against Klebold). Court officials deleted the crime victim's name. (4 pages)