Mauser and Harris meeting, 2009

Reportedly due to Tom Mauser's resentment of the Klebold parents and the Harris parents for not reaching out more, as well as because of both Linda and Tom's need for answers, the Mauser's established a connection (a second attempt at this) with the Harrises through their attorney in 2009 – about 10 years and 4 months after 4/20 1999, and successful arranged a meeting.

I have gathered some information from different blogs/posts on tumblr about the meeting, however I have found little in the way of reliable sources as to where this information came from. If anybody is aware of any sources/other notes on the meeting, or if anyone can prove that the information I have found is incorrect, I would appreciate the help.

The Harrises declined to comment on the meeting, which took place at the Quaker Meeting House because their attorney was a member there, however Linda gave her impressions.

Wayne did most of the speaking. Both him and Kathy denied being aware of Eric's other violent and murderous side, saying that he had mystified them both. Wayne told that he had now accepted the diagnosis of Eric being a psychopath, although Kathy gave no verdict as to whether or not she agreed. Wayne also continuously denied any wrongdoings on his part, putting the blame partially on the therapist that Eric had been seeing, saying that said therapist had assured them that Eric's duster was 'only a coat', and that his problems were 'routine'.

The Harrises also said that, other than the van break-in incident, Eric had never been in serious trouble. On top of this, according to them, Eric had never shown his anger, the only occasion of it becoming visible being a random incident in which he scraped his knuckles punching a brick wall. Although both parents were aware that Eric had his own website, neither had looked at it, as they just weren't interested. Regarding the community service that Eric was to serve as punishment for the van break-in, Kathy recalled that on one occasion he had gotten behind and almost missed a deadline, but that he had managed to avoid this by charming a supervisor into writing him in for hours he had not done.

Linda noted that she did not believe they were being intentionally dishonest to her, but that they perhaps had not second guessed themselves enough. 'Honestly, if it were me this happened to, I think I’d still be questioning myself,' 'They did not seem to doubt themselves,'. Wayne had defended Kathy, telling the Mausers that she was a 'good mother'.

Kathy also admitted that she had been distressed during Eric's senior year because of his lack of plans for college or a career. They also didn't think he had seemed interested in joining clubs or having a big circle of friends. They had him in counselling and taking antidepressants, and thought the situation was under control.

As for any sign of an obsession with weaponry, both parents claim they saw no evidence of one. They both knew of his love of Doom, sharing memories of his hours spent creating new levels, and how he was be so proud afterwards. He was also subscribed to a gun magazine, which they both were aware of, but they dismissed it as being nothing out of the ordinary, particularly because Eric had told them it would help him with making Doom levels.

Tom and Linda did not want to reach over-sensitive territory, however when the subject of cruelty was briefly broached, both Harris parents claimed never to have beaten or unfairly punished Eric.

When speaking on the subject of Kevin, Wayne and Kathy had nothing but praise for the older son. He had become successful, graduating from college and marrying. Wayne particularly boasted about this.

After an hour, emotions began to slip further into the conversation. Kathy asked Linda what her favourite memory of Daniel was, and this seemed to be to much for the mother who began to cry and tell Linda how very sorry she was, while also telling her that she had become scared and anxious at all times. During this emotional outburst, Wayne sat and watched in silence, neglecting to comfort his wife or add to the apology. Afterwards, Linda said that she felt he had seemed very detached.

At the end of the talk, Linda told the Harrises that she forgave Eric. She also said later that she had forgiven them too, however had not told them this, partially because she was on the fence about the two. She did think they had seemed pleased by the forgiveness, but that they were not as grateful as she had expected. Tom was now becoming frustrated at the lack of any kind of revelation, and though they felt the Harrises were being honest, they were not told anything particularly new or important.

Kathy refused to ever to talk to the media, also on behalf of Wayne, because it would be to traumatic. Linda said afterwards: 'what I am looking for, from both families, is transparency.'.

Tom talks about the meeting his his book, Walking in Daniel's Shoes. He describes it pretty accurately.

FlyerFan wrote:

Tom talks about the meeting his his book, Walking in Daniel's Shoes. He describes it pretty accurately.

Ah brilliant thank you, I never got round to reading his book - might see if I can find an online download later so I can read over what he says about the meeting.