A special room under strict lock-and-key, filled with evidence from two settled Columbine cases, is being shut down and a federal magistrate has ordered some of the materials - including depositions of the killers' parents - destroyed.

The room, in the federal courthouse in downtown Denver, was set aside in 2002 to "house particular documents and materials deemed to be worthy of special handling and security," according to court documents. . . .

"Who are they protecting?" asked Rich Petrone, the stepfather of slain student Daniel Rohrbough. "Are they protecting the murderers' families? There should be a public outcry." . . .

Barry Arrington, attorney for the five families who sued the Harris and Klebold families, said he'll file an appeal of the order. He has until Oct. 7. . . .

The two cases involved in the order are Mark Allen Taylor vs. Solvay Pharmaceuticals Inc.; and Brian Rohrbough and four other victims' families vs. the parents of Harris and Klebold.

In the Rohrbough case, plantiffs took the depositions of Susan Klebold on July 29; Thomas Klebold, July 30; Wayne Harris, July 31 and Aug. 1; and Katherine Harris, Aug. 1.

The Harrisses have never answered questions publicly . . .

Destroying transcripts of depositions is an unusual step, . . .

On Aug. 26, documents and materials in the evidence room that had belonged to the Harris family were removed by their attorneys. . . .

Evidence submitted by the Jefferson County School District will be destroyed by the court, with the district's permission, according to the order.

Representatives of the county and the sheriff's office retrieved material from the evidence room.