The writings of the person who killed three 9-year-olds and three adults at a private Christian elementary school in Nashville last year cannot be released to the public, a judge ruled Thursday.
Chancery Court Judge I’Ashea Myles found that The Covenant School children and parents hold the copyright to any writings or other works created by shooter Audrey Hale, a former student who was killed by police. As part of the effort to keep the records closed, Hale’s parents transferred ownership of Hale’s property to the victims’ families, who then argued in court that they should be allowed to determine who has access to them.
Myles agreed, ruling that “the original writings, journals, art, photos and videos created by Hale” are subject to an exception to the Tennessee Public Records Act created by the federal Copyright Act.
The shooter left behind at least 20 journals, a suicide note and a memoir, according to court filings. When the records requests were denied, several parties sued, and the situation quickly ballooned into a messy mix of conspiracy theories, leaked documents, probate battles and accusations of ethical misconduct. Myles’ order will almost surely be appealed.
It’s not about the public’s ‘rights’ tho. It’s about the victims’ families and their rights … which in this case the judge decided on the side of the families.
I for one am glad of that because it gives the families at least some sense of control over a situation they originally had zero control over.
Gun regulation is control which is declined.
A judge Giving away first amendment rights seems wrong. Making an “exception” to a law made specifically for this.
Seems to me it would only be blocked if it was embarrassing. Everyone in the shooters life could’ve failed them because they’re ’good Christian’s’. The kid could’ve also been insane but now we won’t know will we.
Ok. So how would you personally benefit from the killer’s writings being publically released?
Maybe I wouldn’t send my trans kid to that school if it’s a place known for fostering hate.
Maybe my would-be killer gets caught because their psychologist studied the killer’s writings and noticed a troubling pattern.
I don’t want even more manifestos glorified and memed on 4chan. I’m cognizant there’s generally a reason horrible things see the light of the public eye.
Body cam footage of someone’s worst moments of their life… release it, violate one person’s privacy, keep one officer/department accountable, public has to weigh that tradeoff.
Even releasing lottery winners’ names ruins lives, but otherwise some would assume the lottery’s fraudulent (money going to politicians’ friends)… instead of just a tax on the poor 🌈