Federal Lawsuit Filed After Biden Administration Affirms Refusal To Release Covenant Shooter’s Manifesto

Image Credit: Holly Abernathy / 6q Creative

The Tennessee Conservative [By Jason Vaughn] –

A lawsuit has been filed in federal court against the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) after the Biden Administration affirms the agency’s refusal to release the manifesto of Nashville school shooter Audrey Elizabeth Hale.

The suit was filed by the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty (WILL) on behalf of The Star News Network, Editor-in-Chief Patrick Leahy, and National Political Director Matt Kittle. 

Star News is investigating the motivation of Hale in the Covenant School shooting. The FBI has refused to release Hale’s manifesto, which Star News says is a violation of the Freedom of Information Act. 

“The release of these records is critical to understanding the mind and actions of a mass murderer, and can help form public policy to most effectively protect American citizens,” said Leahy.

After the FBI denied the network’s request, WILL immediately sent an appeal to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). Dan Lennington, Deputy Counsel for WILL, said, “No one is above the law, not even the FBI.”

On May 5, the DOJ denied the appeal, leading WILL to move forward with the federal lawsuit.

Previous refusal to release the manifesto has cited a portion of the law that states that records requests do not have to be complied with when the documents are part of an ongoing case. Others argue, however, that because the shooter was shot and killed by Metro Nashville Police officers, there is no active criminal prosecution.

WILL Deputy Counsel Lucas Vebber said, “The federal government does not get to pick and choose whether they release information that lawfully belongs to the public. Our efforts are critical to holding our federal government accountable and promoting transparency.”

About the Author: Jason Vaughn, Media Coordinator for The Tennessee Conservative  ~ Jason previously worked for a legacy publishing company based in Crossville, TN in a variety of roles through his career.  Most recently, he served as Deputy Director for their flagship publication. Prior, he was a freelance journalist writing articles that appeared in the Herald Citizen, the Crossville Chronicle and The Oracle among others.  He graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a Bachelor’s in English-Journalism, with minors in Broadcast Journalism and History.  Contact Jason at news@TennesseeConservativeNews.com

2 thoughts on “Federal Lawsuit Filed After Biden Administration Affirms Refusal To Release Covenant Shooter’s Manifesto

  • May 11, 2023 at 6:59 pm
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    No one is happier about the suppression of this than Christian hating, murdering pervert and leftist terrorist loving RINOS Bill Lee, Sam Whitson.

    Reply
  • May 12, 2023 at 8:16 am
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    Hey
    Skirmetti whr R U?
    I have come to believe u r definitely the laziest AG Tennessee has ever had, even worse than your predecessor.
    Most would agree we don’t need information re “her” specific target information, those targets do need it so they may improve their facilities
    The state legislature and citizens do have a vested interest in “her” thought process and what drugs are involved before any serious discussion re preventive legislation could be considered.

    Skirmetti have you ever heard of the “Peter Principal” ?
    Bc U R definitely a primary example.

    Reply

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