NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Chancellor l’Ashea Myles is faced with a critical decision on whether to make public the writings of the Covenant shooter. The writings, found in her car, are under scrutiny as various entities debate their release to the public eye.
Metro Legal has cited Rule 16, citing an open criminal investigation as a reason for denying public records requests. However, petitioners argue that since there is no pending criminal action, the open criminal investigation exception should not apply.
The possibility of using the shooter’s writings to potentially prevent future tragedies has been raised by petitioners seeking their release. The Metro Nashville Police Department is expected to conclude its investigation in July and could release a redacted version of the journals.
During a hearing on the matter, attorneys representing The Covenant School and The Covenant Church expressed opposition to releasing any information related to the shooting. They believe that the school security and safety exemption applies to the entire investigative file, advocating against public inspection of the documents.
Attorney Eric Osbourne, representing Covenant School parents, advocates for keeping all documents sealed from the public under arguments like the School Safety Exception, Copyright Law, and the Victim Rights Act. He asserts that parents now own the documents and hold copyright over them as soon as they are created.
The case remains in limbo, awaiting a decision by Chancellor l’Ashea Myles. In a separate development, a federal lawsuit by The Tennessee Star against the FBI aims to secure the writings. A federal judge has ordered the FBI to submit the materials for review, ensuring a judicial determination on their potential release.
Alleged social media photos claiming to show writings by the Covenant School shooter have surfaced, further adding to the controversy surrounding the case. Confirmation of their authenticity has been provided through a reliable source, raising more questions about the sensitive nature of the contents.