In a legal twist, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (MNPD) now says it will not release the Covenant School killer’s manifesto and related documents because of pending litigation — lawsuits demanding the department turn over the records.
“Covenant investigation update: Due to pending litigation filed this week, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department has been advised by counsel to hold in abeyance the release of records related to the shooting at The Covenant School pending orders or direction of the court,” MNPD stated in a tweet Wednesday morning.
Covenant investigation update: Due to pending litigation filed this week, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department has been advised by counsel to hold in abeyance the release of records related to the shooting at The Covenant School pending orders or direction of the court.
— Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) May 3, 2023
As The Tennessee Star first reported Tuesday, the National Police Association has filed a lawsuit against the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County demanding the release of The Covenant Presbyterian School killer’s manifesto.
Tennessee 20th Judicial District Chancery Court Judge I’Ashea Myles has ordered a show cause hearing for May 11, examining whether the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department has failed to comply with public records laws.
It’s at least the third legal action seeking what has been described as Audrey Elizabeth Hale’s “blueprint of destruction,” journals, postings, and other documents detailing the deadly motives of the 28-year-old woman who reportedly identified as a transgender man.
The lawsuit was filed late last week in the Chancery Court for Davidson County, 20th Judicial District, by the Police Association and Tennessee resident and private investigator Clata Renee Brewer. It seeks the prompt release of Hale’s manifesto and related documents that Metro Nashville has “failed and refused to produce” under the Tennessee Public Records Act. MNPD has denied public records requests from both plaintiffs.
The complaint also asks the court to rule the government’s refusal to promptly produce the records “has been done knowingly, willfully, and deliberately.”
Brewer and the police association are making the same argument as the Tennessee Firearms Association and former Hamilton County Sheriff James Hammond have cited in their lawsuit filed Monday in the same Chancery Court: That the Metro Nashville Police Department can’t hide critical records related to a mass shooting under the protection of Rule 16 of the Tennessee Rules of Criminal Procedure. Rule 16 prohibits disclosure of certain records if there’s an open case.
But there is no criminal prosecution concerning the mass shootings that occurred on March 27 at the Covenant Presbyterian School, “and despite extensive media coverage, including interviews of public officials, no one has suggested that there will be any criminal prosecution because of the incident,” the lawsuit states.
That’s because Hale, who stormed into the private elementary school and shot and killed three 9-year-olds and three staff members, was fatally shot by Nashville police officers shortly after Hale began her attack.
“It’s pretty simple. We just want to get the records we have requested,” Nashville attorney Douglas Pierce, who represents Brewer in the lawsuit, told The Star. on Tuesday. He confirmed the court date set by the judge, noting the law calls for expedited review.
Now, the MNPD and its legal counsel are using the litigation seeking the release of the records to delay the release of the records.
Hale’s reported transgender status may have played a role in the police department’s reluctance to turn over documents law enforcement have routinely made public following school and other mass shootings.
Hammond and the Tennessee Firearms Association have asked the judge to consolidate their lawsuit with the National Police Association’s case.
Last week, The Star News Network filed a new case with the U.S. Department of Justice demanding the Federal Bureau of Investigation turn over Nashville Hale’s manifesto. The DOJ has yet to respond.
Read the Tennessee Firearms Association’s filings:
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M.D. Kittle is the National Political Editor for The Star News Network.
Photo “Metro Nashville PD Chief John Drake” by Police Chief John Drake and “Covenant Presbyterian School Shooting” by Metro Nashville Police Department.
Speaking of cover-ups:
What happened to the Rural King Clerk Murderer who shot the clerk dead while on the job last winter at the Powell TN store?
Why are you reporting this?
We already know shooing was faked by police.
The girl walked into school wearing black Puma shoes, but the police screwed up and dressed her mannequin dummy with red flaming Vans shoes before shooting her dummy dead.
All three police officers committed conspiracy when they faked body camera evidence.
Maybe you could put as much effort into finding out why the General Assembly can’t properly fund the TBI…