The Tennessee Star and other plaintiffs in a closely watched public records lawsuit are appealing Davidson County Chancellor I’Ashea Myles’ decision last week to allow the Covenant Presbyterian Church, the school and parents of students to intervene in the case.
Filed in the Tennessee Court of Appeals-Middle Section, the appeal could soon be consolidated with those of the other plaintiffs in the case — The Tennessean with State Senator Todd Gardenhire (R-Chattanooga), the Tennessee Firearms Association, and the National Police Association with private investigator Clata Renee Brewer — should the court grant it.
Covenant Presbyterian Church, the Covenant Presbyterian School, and an anonymous group of Covenant School parents have argued that the manifesto and related writings of Covenant Killer Audrey Elizabeth Hale should not be made public. In a filing this week, attorneys for the parents argue that there is “no compelling state interest in giving voice to a horrendous criminal.”
Star News Digital Media, Inc. parent company of the Tennessee Star, filed a lawsuit demanding the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department turn over the documents. The lawsuit argues that the records are of vital interest to the public’s understanding of what motivated Hale.
The 28-year-old woman who identified as a transgender man stormed into the private Christian school on March 27 and fatally shot three 9-year-olds and three staff members before being killed by Nashville police. Hale was a former student at Covenant.
Myles consolidated the lawsuits, which all seek the release of the Hale records and a ruling finding Metro Nashville has violated the state’s public record laws by refusing to make the documents public.
The chancellor has scheduled a show cause hearing for June 8, but that date could change if the Tennessee Court of Appeals takes up the appeal, even if it is placed on an expedited schedule.
As the lawsuit plays out, several Republican lawmakers have called for the immediate release of the records. Republican Governor Bill Lee has called a special session for August to take up gun bills in response to the Covenant School shootings. The Tennessee Firearms Association has sought the Hale manifesto in advance of that session.
Attorneys for the other plaintiffs either declined comment or could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
Read the court Notice to Appeal:
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M.D. Kittle is the National Political Editor for The Star News Network.
Photo “Nashville Supreme Court” by Tennessee Court of System.
It’s also our right to know how much money the General Assembly forked over to deal with Scotty Campbell. When will we know????
Sounds like someone somewhere is trying to cover up something.
These documents must be made public! It is in the best interest of the public to know what are in these documents (I sound like Kamala Harris!). This woman committed a heinous crime and it is our right to know why and perhaps shed light on how to prevent someone from doing this again, or avoiding someone who has the potential to take actions like this. we need to know what went on inside this deranged women’s mind. To protect her because of her sexual orientation is inexcusable.