In a recent development, Chancery Court Judge I'Ashea Myles has ruled that the writings, journals, art, photos and videos created by Audrey Hale, the perpetrator of the Covenant School shooting in Nashville last year cannot be released to the public due to copyright ownership by The Covenant School children and parents. This decision comes after a lengthy legal battle between various parties seeking access to these materials.
The controversy began when several groups filed public records requests for documents seized by Metro Nashville Police during their investigation into the shooting. However, police argued that they could not release the documents due to an ongoing investigation and litigation over the records. This led to a lawsuit, with parties on both sides making arguments for and against the release of Hale's writings.
One group intervening in the case was The Covenant School and its parents, who argued that releasing the records would be traumatic for their families and could inspire copycat attacks. In an unconventional approach to shield these documents from public scrutiny, Hale's parents transferred ownership of her property, including her writings, to the parents' group. This allowed them to claim copyright ownership and prevent the materials from being made public under the Tennessee Public Records Act.
The ruling has been met with mixed reactions. Some argue that it is a necessary step to protect the privacy and well-being of the victims' families, while others criticize it as an attempt to suppress important information from being made available to the public. The decision is expected to be appealed, adding another layer of complexity to this already contentious case.
It is important to note that this ruling does not prevent other documents related to the investigation from being released once the case is closed. Additionally, it does not affect any information that has already been made public through leaks or unauthorized releases. The focus here is on Hale's personal writings and creative works, which are now protected by copyright law.
The Covenant School shooting claimed the lives of six individuals: Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs, Mike Hill, Cindy Peak, Katherine Koonce and Will Kinney. The community continues to mourn their loss and seek answers as the investigation progresses.
