Nashville, Tennessee – Chancellor l’Ashea Myles faces the critical decision of whether to allow the public release of writings by the Covenant shooter. The writings, found in the shooter’s car, are currently at the center of a debate regarding their potential impact on preventing future acts of violence.
Metro Legal has cited Rule 16, which points to an ongoing criminal investigation as grounds for denying public access to the writings. However, petitioners argue that since there is no pending criminal action, any information contained in the writings should not be withheld from the public.
The Metro Nashville Police Department aims to conclude its investigation in July and is considering the release of a redacted version of the shooter’s journals. This decision has sparked strong opposition from intervenors representing The Covenant School and The Covenant Church, citing concerns about school security and safety.
Attorney Eric Osbourne, representing Covenant School parents, is leading the charge to keep all documents created by the shooter sealed from public view. He is basing his argument on three primary factors: the School Safety Exception, Copyright Law, and the Victim Rights Act.
The Tennessee Star has filed a federal lawsuit against the FBI, demanding the release of the shooter’s writings. A federal judge has instructed the FBI to hand over the writings for review, raising the possibility of their eventual public disclosure.
Overall, the decision on whether to release the shooter’s writings remains a point of contention among various parties involved in the case. The outcome of this decision has far-reaching implications for the ongoing discussion surrounding school safety and the disclosure of sensitive information related to acts of violence. Chancellor l’Ashea Myles is expected to make a ruling on the matter, although a specific timeline for the decision remains uncertain.