APRIL 20, 1999 - LITTLETON, COLO.
Man charged with selling handgun to child By Sue Lindsay
GOLDEN — The man who supplied a semiautomatic pistol used in the Columbine High School shootings was charged Monday with providing a handgun to a child.
Mark Manes, a former student at Columbine, admitted to investigators that he sold the gun. Manes, whose mother is a member of Handgun Control, was arrested May 3 and is free on $15,000 bail.
Manes, dressed in black pants and a white shirt, his hair bound in a ponytail, sat at the back of a Jefferson County courtroom quietly awaiting his hearing before court convened.
The 22-year-old computer programmer appeared nervous as he stood next to his attorney, Bob Ransome, during the hearing.
Ransome instructed Manes not to comment as the two quickly left the courthouse, escaping a horde of reporters and photographers.
Manes is the only person so far to be arrested on charges of helping Eric Harris, 18, and Dylan Klebold, 17, arm themselves prior to the April 20 shootings in suburban Denver. The pair killed 12 students and a teacher and wounded 21 others before committing suicide.
Manes bought the TEC-DC9 at a gun show last fall. He sold it after meeting Harris and Klebold at another gun show earlier this year where the two expressed an interest in a similar gun on display.
They were introduced through a pizza shop employee who worked with the two students.
After the sale, Manes went shooting with Harris and Klebold three times in the mountains west of Denver.
Ransome has said Manes had no idea what Harris and Klebold planned to do at the school.
The charge carries a penalty of two to six years in prison. Probation also is a possibility. Manes has a record of minor juvenile offenses that probably would not bar him from consideration for probation, said prosecutor Mark Pautler.
Manes returns to court June 23 for a disposition hearing. If lawyers haven't reached an agreement by then, the case will be set for arraignment and trial.
May 11, 1999
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BACKGROUND
Jefferson County sheriff's report Full index of the shooting News from the five days following the shootings Reconstruction of the shooting TimelineLocation the schoolFloorplanWeapons used
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AUDIO
'Friend of Mine' Listen to the Columbine Memorial song sung by Columbine students Jonathan and Stephen Cohen.
911 tapes
Interview with Arun Ghandi |
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PHOTOS
A Daily Camera photo essay detailed the tragedy of April 20 and the recovery and remembrance in the following weeks: photo essay
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INTERACT
With the recent rise in school violence, do you feel schools are still safe? vote here
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THE INVESTIGATION
Man pleads innocent to helping Columbine killers get weapons Relatives angry about handling of case Parents of Columbine killer seek to limit evidence access Investigators meet with Harris' parents CHS investigators focus on computers FBI investigator's son linked to case Killer reportedly took Luvox antidepressant Detectives question shooter's girlfriend Bombs found in cafeteria Portraits of the killers Killer's diary describes plot of hate |
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SCHOOL VIOLENCE
Teenager threatens classmates Students accused of plotting shooting Violence in Georgia School violence stuns nation Teen wounds six fellow students Teens charged in alleged school attack plot Michigan teenagers charged in plot Other school shootings 1927 school bombing killed nearly 40 children Suspensions, arrests across country La. school site of another shooting Facts: Death in schools 'Blood in the School Yard', from the Cincinnati Post full series |
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REACTION
Time: Duo sought immortality Aftershocks continue to hit Columbine Columbine lawsuits multiply High schools' 'cult of the athlete' under scrutiny
Parents of Columbine shooters sued Columbine spurs interest in home schools Columbine healing fund raises $2.3 million CU frat shows support for Columbine 'Healing bear' arrives to help in Littleton Doctors: Guilt a normal reaction for survivors Media the message? Broomfield couple campaigns to 'Erase the Hate' What now? |
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GUNS AND LAW
Inaction on gun control could prompt ballot issues Democrats say they'll carry gun laws favored by Owens Owens says tougher laws wouldn't have prevented tragedy State senator plans to revive bill on concealed-handguns Despite pressure, more gun control measures unlikely Columbine dad lobbies Washington Senate passes more gun controls Columbine killers also wounded the NRA Senate rejects any new restrictions on gun-show sales
Gun control strife Leaders scrap gun bills Guns and legislatures |
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HOW TO HELP
A drive has been established to raise money for a memorial for the victims of the Columbine High School tragedy. Contributions may be mailed to the Columbine Memorial Fund, c/o The Jefferson Foundation, 809 Quail St., Building 1, Lakewood, CO 80215.
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