Home » News » Despite copyright ruling on manifesto, judge cleared release of other records in Covenant school shooting

By Deborah Fisher, published on August 5, 2024

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A person wears a scarf with the names of the victims of the Covenant School shooting during the Linking Arms for Change human chain March 27, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. AP Photo/George Walker IV

Much attention has been given to a ruling by Davidson County Chancellor I’Ashea Myles to use the federal copyright law to block release of the Covenant School shooter’s manifesto and other writings. It’s a ruling worth worrying about because it could affect future public records disputes as well as closing down access to information about the Nashville shooting.

But a closer look at the ruling shows that the judge also cleared the way for the release of what could be hundreds of other consequential records in the case as soon as police finish their investigation. In March, police said the investigation would be over in June. In mid-June, a Metro lawyer said it would be over “soon.” So is a release of records imminent? And what records might we see?

See article reviewing judge’s Covenant records decision

Published by permission of the Tennessee Coalition for Open Government.

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