Spring Break
Ex-CSU employee threatened Columbine father
Twisted plot sparks FBI investigation, ends in heartbreak
J. David McSwane
Issue date: 4/30/07 Section: News
Guns, threats and heartbreak
In the wake of the eighth anniversary of the Columbine shootings and the Virginia Tech massacre that claimed the lives of 32 people, Morrison says his conscience is heavy.
But his past will continue to haunt him as he approaches a trial.
Holding back tears, Morrison said he sent the threatening e-mail to protect his family from a long-time enemy and staunch gun rights activist - Philp - who Morrison says threatened his life on an Internet forum.
In a detailed e-mail apology, Morrison tells the father of a Columbine victim, who also has a long history with Philp, that he sent the e-mails not to hurt the Mauser family, but to protect his own family.
"It was very wrong and distasteful, what I had done. I did not intend to hurt you, only Duncan (Philp), but in my anger I did not think my actions through," the e-mail said.
The e-mail goes on to chronicle what Morrison now calls a "childish" exchange of threatening e-mails and posts.
Morrison and Philp, once fellow gun rights activists, had a falling out years ago at a second amendment rally in Denver. Since then, the two have had numerous spats on different chat sites and forums. And both admit to heated exchanges on the Internet, including an exchange on the comments section of the Collegian Web site, collegian.com.
Morrison alleges that Philp eventually posted a death threat on a site both subscribed to.
Then, Morrison says he did what he thought was necessary to protect his family.
Posing as Philp, Morrison set up an almost identical e-mail account and sent the threatening e-mails to the father of Columbine victim Daniel Mauser.
"I wasn't thinking all the way through. I was thinking about getting the feds or police after Duncan (Philp)," Morrison said. "I wasn't thinking about the other side; I didn't think about what it would do to Tom and his family."
But Philp says he never threatened Morrison.
In the wake of the eighth anniversary of the Columbine shootings and the Virginia Tech massacre that claimed the lives of 32 people, Morrison says his conscience is heavy.
But his past will continue to haunt him as he approaches a trial.
Holding back tears, Morrison said he sent the threatening e-mail to protect his family from a long-time enemy and staunch gun rights activist - Philp - who Morrison says threatened his life on an Internet forum.
In a detailed e-mail apology, Morrison tells the father of a Columbine victim, who also has a long history with Philp, that he sent the e-mails not to hurt the Mauser family, but to protect his own family.
"It was very wrong and distasteful, what I had done. I did not intend to hurt you, only Duncan (Philp), but in my anger I did not think my actions through," the e-mail said.
The e-mail goes on to chronicle what Morrison now calls a "childish" exchange of threatening e-mails and posts.
Morrison and Philp, once fellow gun rights activists, had a falling out years ago at a second amendment rally in Denver. Since then, the two have had numerous spats on different chat sites and forums. And both admit to heated exchanges on the Internet, including an exchange on the comments section of the Collegian Web site, collegian.com.
Morrison alleges that Philp eventually posted a death threat on a site both subscribed to.
Then, Morrison says he did what he thought was necessary to protect his family.
Posing as Philp, Morrison set up an almost identical e-mail account and sent the threatening e-mails to the father of Columbine victim Daniel Mauser.
"I wasn't thinking all the way through. I was thinking about getting the feds or police after Duncan (Philp)," Morrison said. "I wasn't thinking about the other side; I didn't think about what it would do to Tom and his family."
But Philp says he never threatened Morrison.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
Duncan
posted 5/01/07 @ 12:00 PM MST
You'll have to show me that restrinaing order. I've never seen it. How can one place a restrianing order on another if there was no summons served and no court?
I could have unkowingly violated the order and not known it. (Continued…)
Duncan
posted 5/01/07 @ 12:15 PM MST
"Dell Rae Moellenberg, a CSU spokeswoman, said Philp has "a history" with the CSU Police Department."
Who is Moellenberg I've never met this person during my entire stint at CSU. (Continued…)
rattlesnake
Darren
posted 5/01/07 @ 3:13 PM MST
I'm sorry folks for what I did. I did not use a CSU computer when I worked there I did not have access to a computer not until they make a vacuums that can surf the net. (Continued…)
Duncan
posted 6/01/07 @ 2:26 PM MST
Morrison was given five days in jail, one year of probation, a no contact order for Mauser for up to one year, no access to the net for one year and he cannot own or have in his posession any firearms. (Continued…)
starviego
posted 6/02/07 @ 7:32 PM MST
1) Is Darren Morrison any relation to Duane Morrison, who attacked Platte Canyon High School in Bailey, CO on 9-27-06?
2) Personally I think it is an outrage that a judge decides that Mr. (Continued…)
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