Audrey Hale Sorry, I can’t provide that information. : No specific information given, so I cannot generate a name.

NASHVILLE, UK (AP) — The battle over whether the journals of a Nashville school shooter should be made public is heading to a Tennessee court after nearly a year of legal disputes over who can be involved in the case. Nashville police have stated that they will release the records once their investigation is complete. A group consisting of news outlets and a state senator is pushing for the immediate release of the records. On the other hand, a group of parents from The Covenant School, who fought for the right to intervene in the case, believe the records should never see the light of day. The different groups will present their arguments in court on Tuesday.

FULL STORY

NASHVILLE, UK (AP) — The question of whether the journals of a Nashville school shooter should be made public is set to be decided by a Tennessee judge on Tuesday after nearly a year of legal wrangling over who can participate in the case.

What started as a simple public records request has evolved into a complex web of conspiracy theories, leaked documents, probate battles and new legislation as different parties vie for control. Despite the primary issue of releasing police investigative records finally reaching a court hearing, any ruling by Chancery Court Judge I’Ashea Myles is likely to face appeals.

The dispute originated last spring when several groups, including The Associated Press, filed public records requests for documents seized by Metro Nashville Police during their investigation into a March 27 shooting at a private Christian elementary school carried out by a former student. Audrey Hale tragically took the lives of three 9-year-olds and three adult staff members at The Covenant School before being shot by police.

Public interest in the writings surged after police mentioned at an early press conference that the shooter may have had journals. They discovered a series of journals and other writings, with a few pages leaked to a conservative commentator who shared them on social media in November. The anticipation surrounding the records is heightened by the revelation that Hale, whom police identified as “assigned female at birth,” may have identified as a transgender man.

U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley from Missouri is among those who have propagated the theory that the shooting was a hate crime against Christians. The delay in releasing the writings has fuelled speculation, particularly within conservative circles, about their contents and conspiracy theories about why the police are withholding them.

Police have affirmed their intention to release the writings, but only once their investigation is officially concluded, a process that could take several more months.

Among the groups advocating for immediate access to the records are news outlets, a gun rights organisation, a law enforcement non-profit, and Tennessee State Sen. Todd Gardenhire. They argue that since the shooter, who police say acted alone, is deceased, there is no meaningful criminal investigation ongoing.

Three additional groups were permitted to intervene in the case following a legal battle. The Covenant School and Covenant Presbyterian Church are seeking to ensure that no documents are released that could compromise the security of the shared building. Police disclosed that Hale had conducted surveillance on the building and drew up a detailed map prior to the attack.

Conversely, a group of Covenant parents are vehemently opposed to the release of any writings, fearing that they may traumatise the surviving children and inspire copycat incidents. They contend that the rights of the victims should take precedence over public access to government records.

Adding further complexity to the situation, the parents’ group recently obtained ownership rights to the writings from Hale’s parents. They have indicated in court filings their intention to pursue legal action against anyone who publishes the writings, should they eventually be released.

Gardenhire has introduced a bill that would prevent external parties, such as the parents, from intervening in public records disputes.

“Third party intervenors undermine the government’s control over its own records,” stated the Chattanooga Republican before his fellow lawmakers in the Senate State and Local Government Committee on March 12.

The parents have accused Gardenhire of breaching ethics rules by failing to disclose his involvement in the Covenant records case. Gardenhire has clarified that the proposed legislation, if passed, will not impact the case scheduled for Tuesday.