Covenant School Shooter Manifesto To Be Turned Over For Judge To Review

Image Credit: MNPD / Facebook

The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –

Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) is being court ordered to hand over The Covenant School shooter’s writings for judicial review.

After a lawsuit was filed May 1st by by James Hammond, former sheriff for Hamilton County, Tennessee, and the Tennessee Firearms Association – in cooperation with Judicial Watch – MNPD announced a delay in the “close review/preparation process for the public release of written material” regarding the manifesto.

MNPD was advised by legal counsel to “hold in abeyance the release of records” in light of that lawsuit but must now turn over unredacted copies of the documents in question by noon on Friday for Chancellor I’Ashea L. Myles to review privately in what is known as a camera review.  The writings will be sent to Myles on a rolling basis at her request.

Two meetings have also been scheduled, moving the legal process forward. The first is a status conference, to be held at 1pm on May 18th. The second is a show cause hearing on June 18th, also at 1pm. At that hearing, MNPD will have an opportunity to put forth an argument explaining why the court should not release the records to the plaintiffs.

During both of these upcoming meetings, the content of Audrey Hale’s writings will be discussed with Myles having had time to look them over. 

There has been no word on whether the media will be allowed to be present during these meetings. 

MNPD cited rules and case law to deny all requests for Hale’s numerous journals and written materials. That law states that records requests do not have to be complied with when the documents are part of an ongoing case. 

Plaintiffs in the lawsuit say there is no ongoing criminal prosecution. Hale was shot and killed by MNPD on the second floor of The Covenant School. No one else has been arrested in connection with her crime. 

The Tennessee Firearms Association has also asked for MNPD emails and text messages that reference the shooting at The Covenant School at the end of March. 

Interest in seeing Hale’s “manifesto” has been widespread with Governor Bill Lee, at the end of April, promising that it would be released to the public “very soon.”

Lee has also promised a special legislative session that will take place in August and deal with temporary orders of protection. 

Lee says he wants to ensure the safety of the public by enacting what conservatives call “red flag laws” while also preserving constitutional 2nd amendment rights.

A plan that he put forward as the General Assembly moved to quickly end the legislative session would allow law enforcement to confiscate firearms from those deemed a risk to themselves and others after a due process hearing is held.

Lee has said that lawmakers, advocacy groups and Tennessee residents will have a chance to weigh in before the August 21st special session. Tennesseans are encouraged to send their comments HERE.

About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.