NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A pivotal hearing is underway to determine whether the writings of the Covenant School shooter should be made public. Metro officials in Tennessee revealed plans to conclude the investigation in July and release a redacted version of the file to the public. However, the final decision rests with the chancellor, who could potentially release the writings in the near future.
The dispute centers around a public records request that Metro denied citing exceptions due to the ongoing criminal investigation. Despite this, Metro indicated willingness to release redacted documents once the investigation is complete. Lora Fox from Metro Legal emphasized the importance of thorough investigations and expressed concerns about prematurely releasing sensitive information.
Petitioners argue that the open criminal investigation exemption does not apply as there is no pending criminal action currently. They believe that the public has a right to access the documents, viewing them as essential for preventing similar incidents in the future. Doug Pierce of the National Police Association echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of learning from past experiences to enhance public safety.
Additionally, there is a federal ruling regarding the shooter’s writings, adding another layer of complexity to the debate. Amidst the controversy surrounding the writings, some portions have already been leaked by a podcast host, raising further questions about transparency and access to information.
The hearing continues to evolve, with FOX 17 News continuing coverage to provide updates on the proceedings. Stay tuned for further developments as the issue of releasing the Covenant School shooter’s writings unfolds.