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Columbine film 'inspired' accused | Columbine film 'inspired' accused |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A teenager accused of plotting a Columbine school-style massacre said his interest in the killings was sparked by a Michael Moore documentary. | A teenager accused of plotting a Columbine school-style massacre said his interest in the killings was sparked by a Michael Moore documentary. |
Matthew Swift, 18, began imitating killer Eric Harris - whom he believed was "misunderstood" - after watching the film Bowling for Columbine. | Matthew Swift, 18, began imitating killer Eric Harris - whom he believed was "misunderstood" - after watching the film Bowling for Columbine. |
But he told Manchester Crown Court his massacre plot was just a "fantasy". | But he told Manchester Crown Court his massacre plot was just a "fantasy". |
Mr Swift and his friend Ross McKnight, aged 16, deny conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to cause explosions. | Mr Swift and his friend Ross McKnight, aged 16, deny conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to cause explosions. |
Mr Swift, a former pupil at Audenshaw High School in Greater Manchester, and McKnight, who still attended, are accused of plotting the attack on the 10th anniversary of the Columbine massacre. | Mr Swift, a former pupil at Audenshaw High School in Greater Manchester, and McKnight, who still attended, are accused of plotting the attack on the 10th anniversary of the Columbine massacre. |
The prosecution claim Mr Swift became obsessed with the US school shootings - carried out by Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris - who murdered 12 students and a teacher on 20 April 1999. | The prosecution claim Mr Swift became obsessed with the US school shootings - carried out by Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris - who murdered 12 students and a teacher on 20 April 1999. |
I suppose I felt to a point, I was imitating his character Matthew Swift | I suppose I felt to a point, I was imitating his character Matthew Swift |
Giving evidence on Wednesday, he said his interest in the killings began while studying in his first year of A-levels. | Giving evidence on Wednesday, he said his interest in the killings began while studying in his first year of A-levels. |
"We were shown a film called Bowling for Columbine, a documentary about that," he said. | "We were shown a film called Bowling for Columbine, a documentary about that," he said. |
"I sort of was interested in it after I watched that. | "I sort of was interested in it after I watched that. |
"At the time I felt that maybe the lads were misunderstood or some other reason. | "At the time I felt that maybe the lads were misunderstood or some other reason. |
"I started reading about it more and more and got very interested in Eric Harris's character." | "I started reading about it more and more and got very interested in Eric Harris's character." |
'Fantasy plan' | 'Fantasy plan' |
Stephen Riordan QC, defending, asked Mr Swift if he felt he developed "more than an interest" in Harris. | Stephen Riordan QC, defending, asked Mr Swift if he felt he developed "more than an interest" in Harris. |
"I suppose I felt to a point, I was imitating his character." | "I suppose I felt to a point, I was imitating his character." |
The defendant was asked about Project Rainbow, the alleged plot which was outlined in journals kept by the teenagers. | The defendant was asked about Project Rainbow, the alleged plot which was outlined in journals kept by the teenagers. |
"It was a fantasy plan that developed from my interest in Eric Harris and Columbine," he told the jury. | "It was a fantasy plan that developed from my interest in Eric Harris and Columbine," he told the jury. |
"The fantasy was, if something like that was to happen in Manchester and we were those characters, like Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, how it would happen." | "The fantasy was, if something like that was to happen in Manchester and we were those characters, like Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, how it would happen." |
The court was told that Mr Swift, who lived with his grandparents, never knew his father and his mother was a violent alcoholic who died when he was 10. | The court was told that Mr Swift, who lived with his grandparents, never knew his father and his mother was a violent alcoholic who died when he was 10. |
Guns denial | |
He had been advised to take anti-depressants when he was aged 17, but did not take the medication, the jury heard. | He had been advised to take anti-depressants when he was aged 17, but did not take the medication, the jury heard. |
Earlier, the court heard Mr Swift had tried to get access to explosives through the internet or friends. | |
But the teenager denied ever getting hold of any chemicals. | |
Mr Riordan asked Mr Swift if he had ever obtained - or tried to obtain - firearms, to which he replied: "No." | |
"When it came to Project Rainbow did you ever have any intention of carrying out the things you described?" the barrister asked him. | |
"No," replied Mr Swift. | |
The trial was adjourned until Thursday. |
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