Six months after a deranged individual walked into a Nashville Christian school and killed six, including three children, the public still does not know what law enforcement officials from the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (MNPD) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) know about the shooting.
MNPD refused to release a so-called “manifesto” left behind by the shooter, who police said was a biological female who identified as a man, to members of the public and the press, including various reporters for The Epoch Times.
Since then, the appeals on whether or not MNPD will be forced to release the manifesto and other writings left behind by the murderer of children have been held up in court. In court, the push to keep the records hidden has included support from families of The Covenant School, victims, and even the parents of the shooter.
Appeal Still Pending
The Tennessee Court of Appeals in June issued an order to temporarily halt the trial court proceedings concerning the lawsuits against MNPD.The decision by the appellate court stems from the lower court allowing the Covenant School parents, church, and school to join the lawsuit as third-party interveners. The plaintiffs, who disagree with this decision, took their appeal to the higher court on May 30.
Originally, the lower court under Davison County Chancellor I’Ashea Myles declined to put the proceedings on hold, but the appellate court’s order took precedence over her ruling. The reason given by the higher court was to ensure all parties’ rights were adequately protected during the appeal process.
The higher court pointed out that the Tennessee Public Records Act prefers swift hearings on open record lawsuits. Still, the court sided with the plaintiffs, expressing concerns that continuing the lower court proceedings could make the appellate court’s eventual ruling irrelevant.
Chancellor Myles remarked during a June 8 hearing that the legal conundrum was unique, with no precedent in Tennessee history to guide the decision-making process. A significant point of contention was a 2018 Tennessee rule change, which deems decisions on intervention as final. This rule has brought ambiguity as to whether appeals should be made immediately or at the end of the case.
Myles opined that this rule change aims to protect those who were denied intervention, rather than allowing the original parties to challenge the intervention’s grant. She expressed difficulty in understanding objections to the Covenant parties’ intervention.
However, there are concerns about the potential precedent it might set. If intervention is permitted in a public records case where standing may be questionable, it could pave the way for future interventions, effectively stalling public record proceedings.
Myles had previously warned of potential delays, noting that appeals can extend for months, something which has now stretched on for several months. Given the law’s preference for swift resolution in public records cases, this delay contrasts sharply with the legislation’s intent.
Tragedy Unfolded, Questions Unanswered
The March 27 tragedy revealed the shooter was a former student of the school, and Police Chief John Drake at the time said she was found to have detailed maps of the school, indicating planned entry points, and that she had been prepared for a confrontation with law enforcement.At the time, he said police were examining a “manifesto” linked to the shooter, hinting that motives behind the attack might be revealed later, although the department walked back those comments later and said they could not release the documents due to an “ongoing investigation,” despite the shooter being killed by police on scene.
Right to Know Versus Copycat Avoidance
In court, MNPD has faced a surge of support for its decision to deny public records requests related to the mass shooting at The Covenant School on March 27.Within three days in June, around 25 statements were filed supporting the decision to withhold documents from the public. These supporters include families of victims, staff of the school, and several former law enforcement officials.
Parents and other community members shared heart-wrenching details about the shooting and its aftermath. Many stories told of children’s close encounters with the shooter, and how quick-thinking actions by school staff saved lives. Some parents detailed the trauma their children now experience, with flashbacks, fears, and a loss of innocence.
Many family members feel that their privacy has been violated by the media in the push to learn the shooter’s motivations. Erin Kinney, the mother of one of the victims, specifically criticized the media, stating that their efforts serve to immortalize the shooter and could potentially inspire future attacks.
However, victim Mike Hill’s brother expressed a desire for the documents to be released, emphasizing the need for closure and a clear understanding of the events.
There is concern from former law enforcement officials that releasing the shooter’s writings might inspire copycat attacks. The former Director of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Mark Gywn, and ex-FBI Special Agent Dan Hodges both voiced concerns based on their extensive experience in law enforcement.
“We can handle the truth,” he said at the time.
He was joined by Nashville resident and political commentator Candace Owens and Tennessee faith leaders, who all emphasized the right for the public to know and a need for transparency.
