NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A Tennessee judge is currently deliberating on the release of writings by a school shooter from the Covenant School, as requested by the Nashville police. The parents of children at the school have brought a new twist to the situation by claiming legal ownership of the writings and asserting copyright over them.
During a two-day hearing at Davidson County Chancery Court, eight attorneys engaged in arguments regarding the release of the writings that were collected during the investigation into the tragic shooting incident at the Covenant School on March 27, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of three 9-year-old children and three adult staff members.
The police have classified these writings as public records but have refrained from releasing them until their investigation is concluded. Various groups, including news outlets, a Tennessee state senator, a gun-rights organization, and a law enforcement nonprofit, have advocated for the immediate release of these writings, claiming that the ongoing investigation is merely a formality as the shooter was killed at the scene and no other suspects have been identified.
Conversely, three other groups allowed to intervene in the case have argued against the release of any of the writings. Attorneys representing the Covenant parents, the Covenant School, and the Covenant Presbyterian Church have united in their stance that the writings are protected under Tennessee law, safeguarding the privacy of school security-related information to prevent potential copycat incidents that could endanger the school community.
The judge in the case, I’Ashea Myles, has expressed skepticism towards the interpretation of the law presented by the attorneys. One of the concerns raised was the potential harm that could be inflicted upon the children of Covenant School if the writings were made public. However, Myles emphasized the need to interpret the law as written by the legislature and to consider the broader implications of setting precedents in such cases.
As the deliberations continue, Myles is faced with the challenging task of balancing legal interpretations with the emotional impact of the case. Despite personal sentiments, she remains committed to upholding the law and ensuring a fair and just decision in this complex and sensitive matter.