Metro Police Department Postpones Release of Covenant School Shooter’s “Manifesto”
Image Credit: MNPD / Facebook
The Tennessee Conservative [By Adelia Kirchner] –
The Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) has officially announced a delay on the release of written documents tied to the Covenant School shooting that took place back in March.
As recent as last week, those calling for the release of the shooter’s “manifesto” had gotten their hopes up after MNPD spokesperson Don Aaron told News Channel 2 that the department had started the “close review/preparation process for the public release of written material.”
However, in light of an open records lawsuit against the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, filed by the Tennessee Firearms Association (TFA) on May 1st, the MNPD has been advised by legal counsel to “hold in abeyance the release of records.”
More information on the TFA lawsuit can be found here.
The MNPD then put out a statement via their Twitter account on May 3rd using the pending litigation as an excuse for delayed release of the documents.
Because the TFA’s lawsuit is public knowledge at this point, many individuals and media publications have placed blame on the association and their lawsuit even though it has been over a month since the shooting occurred and the MNPD has still not obliged the public’s repeated cry for transparency.
Also, according to Nashville Attorney and Metro Director of Law Wally Dietz, the TFA is not the only party to bring a lawsuit over the issue.
In fact, a private investigator has also filed suit on behalf of the National Police Association, and there is potentially a third party looking to sue over release of the shooter’s “manifesto” as well.
Although none of the families of the victims have attempted to block the release of these documents, this does not guarantee that the families are necessarily in favor of releasing them.
One possible consequence of this matter being resolved in court is that there will likely be even further negotiations, this time involving the families of the victims, concerning redactions and what information will end up being released to the public.
Of course, the MNPD would settle on certain redactions regardless, but this adds more voices to the conversation which could be a good thing, albeit a slightly frustrating one for those curious minds wishing to see an uncensored version of the “manifesto.”
“We believe family members of the victims should have the opportunity to present any concerns or objections to the Court at that time,” Dietz said in a written statement, “We plan to file under seal the entire journal found in the shooter’s car in the parking lot at The Covenant School together with our proposed redactions under the Public Records Act for the court to review the release.”
Ultimately, it does seem that the public will not be receiving access to the shooter’s written documents until any and all pending lawsuits have been resolved.
About the Author: Adelia Kirchner is a Tennessee resident and reporter for the Tennessee Conservative. Currently the host of Subtle Rampage Podcast, she has also worked for the South Dakota State Legislature and interned for Senator Bill Hagerty’s Office in Nashville, Tennessee. You can reach Adelia at adelia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
This is not a surprise! Protecting the LGBDQ or whatever movement. If it had been a white idiot would of already been on front page??
Lawyers by their nature, tend to complicate any issue they are involved in. Plus they can charge more for their “services “.