Sixty six Republican lawmakers in the Tennessee House of Representatives have sent a letter to Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake asking for the release of writings and medical records of the Covenant School killer.
“If we hope to pass meaningful legislation that effectively deters this kind of targeted attack, we must have all the facts to make informed decisions.” – @JeremyFaison4TN pic.twitter.com/PrrITcm4G0
— TN House Republicans (@tnhousegop) May 15, 2023
On March 27, 28-year-old Audrey Elizabeth Hale shot her way into The Presbyterian Covenant School in Nashville and killed three children and three adults.
Following the shooting, law enforcement found “collective writings” in journals from Hale’s vehicle and home which showed her “planning over a period of months to commit mass murder at The Covenant School.” It was also revealed after the shooting that Hale was under doctor’s care for an emotional disorder.
Hale’s related writings and medical records have yet to be released publicly.
“We respectfully request the release of the perpetrators’ writings as well as relevant medical records and toxicology reports,” the group of Republicans requested in the letter sent Monday.
In regards to the release of the shooter’s records, the group of lawmakers added, “The citizens of this state and their elected representatives must have adequate time to review them.”
House Republican Caucus Chairman Jeremy Faison (R-Cosby) said in an emailed statement that the “timely release of the records is critical to understanding the behavior and motives” of the Covenant School killer before lawmakers convene August 21 for a special session called by Governor Bill Lee.
“The perpetrator of these horrific acts murdered six Christians and Tennesseans have demanded we take action,” Faison added. “If we hope to pass meaningful legislation that effectively deters this kind of targeted attack, we must have all the facts to make informed decisions.”
Star News Digital Media Inc., parent company of The Tennessee Star, sued the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County last week, seeking the release of Hale’s manifesto and related writings.
The lawsuit, filed in Tennessee’s 20th Judicial District Court-Davidson County, follows Star News Digital Media’s federal lawsuit demanding the FBI turn over the documents still yet to be released publicly by law enforcement officials.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “Jeremy Faison” by Ncrawford604. CC BY-SA 4.0.
