Tennessee Appeals Court Rules on Release of School Shooter's Writings

The Tennessee Court of Appeals has ruled that the writings of the shooter responsible for the March 2023 Covenant School shooting in Nashville can be made available to the public. This decision follows a prolonged legal dispute over public records related to the incident, which resulted in the deaths of three 9-year-olds—Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs, and William Kinney—and three adults—Cynthia Peak, Katherine Koonce, and Mike Hill. The shooter left behind various documents, including journals, a suicide note, and a memoir.

Tennessee appeals court says school shooter's writings can be made public

The ruling overturns a 2024 decision by a lower court that sided with a group of Covenant School parents who sought to keep the writings private. These parents expressed concerns that public access to the documents could further traumatize their children and potentially inspire copycat attacks. The lower court had previously determined that the records fell under an exception to the Tennessee Public Records Act due to their relation to school safety. However, the appeals court criticized this interpretation as overly broad, stating, “This conclusion strains credulity.”

Tennessee Appeals Court Says School Shooter's Writings Can Be Made Public

The appeals court emphasized the significance of the Tennessee Public Records Act, describing it as a vital tool for holding government officials accountable. The court noted that even if some writings are protected by copyright law, the Metro Nashville Police could still permit public inspection without violating the law. The case has been sent back to the lower court for amendments to the 2024 ruling, and the Covenant parents have 60 days to decide whether to appeal.

Tennessee appeals court says school shooter's writings can be made public

The Covenant parents' attorney, Eric Osborne, indicated that they are still deliberating their next steps following the appeals court's ruling. The parents argue that they should have the authority to determine who accesses the shooter's writings, reflecting their ongoing concerns about the potential impact on their children and the community.

Tennessee Appeals Court Says School Shooter's Writings Can Be Made Public

While many documents related to the shooting have already been made public through leaks or separate public records requests, the full investigative report from the Nashville police remains sealed. This discrepancy highlights ongoing tensions regarding transparency and public access to information in sensitive cases involving school shootings.

Tennessee appeals court says school shooter's writings can be made public

• “We are asked to accept at face value the trial court’s finding that every single item compiled or created by the shooter, for many years before the event at issue, relates to the Covenant School’s security.” — Tennessee Court of Appeals

Tennessee appeals court says school shooter's writings can be made public

• “The trial court and the Parents, however, conflate the concept of access for inspection with reproduction and display,” — Tennessee Court of Appeals

Tennessee appeals court says school shooter's writings can be made public

This ruling may set a precedent for how similar records are treated in future school shooting cases, underscoring the balance between public interest and the emotional well-being of affected families.

Tennessee Appeals Court Says School Shooter's Writings Can Be Made Public