A Nashville judge is expected to hear arguments today in a public records lawsuit against the city and its police department regarding the release of Audrey Elizabeth Hale’s manifesto in connection with the Covenant Christian School massacre. When Hale died, her parents transferred her estate to her victims’ families, who have intervened in the lawsuit and are arguing that they own the copyright to the killer’s manifesto. They are requesting the judge to block its public release, claiming copyright protection. However, the plaintiffs argue that the only way copyright protection can be established is through a federal court process, which would require the documents to be made public.
Hale, identified as a 28-year-old transgender artist named Aiden, carried out the attack on the Christian school that claimed the lives of three adults and three children before being killed by responding officers. She had previously sent a text message to a friend warning of her intention to carry out a suicide mission. Following the shooting, a manifesto and hand-drawn maps were recovered from her car, but their release has been denied by city police and the FBI, citing potential harm to a pending investigation. The continued denial of access to the document has led to multiple lawsuits seeking its release, with arguments that there is no pending investigation as Hale was the only suspect and died at the scene.
One lawsuit, brought by the parent company of a local newspaper, resulted in a judge ordering the FBI to file the manifesto under seal for court review to determine if there are legal grounds for secrecy. The manifesto is believed to shed light on the killer’s motive and rage. Several pages allegedly leaked in November, but the full extent of Hale’s writings is still being sought through legal action. Critics question the government’s motives for delaying the release of the manifesto, as the public continues to be denied access to critical information regarding the tragic event.
The families of the victims who now own Hale’s estate are asserting their copyright claim over the killer’s confession in an effort to prevent its public release. Their argument hinges on the possession of the manifesto as part of the estate, leading them to claim ownership of the copyright. The plaintiffs in the public records lawsuit argue that copyright protection cannot be assumed and must be established through legal proceedings in federal court. The continued denial of access to the document leaves the public in the dark about crucial information related to the Covenant Christian School massacre.
As the legal battle over the manifesto continues, the public is left without answers regarding the motives behind the tragic events at the Christian school. Despite several lawsuits seeking the release of the document, both city police and the FBI have maintained that its release could harm a potential investigation. The delays in making the manifesto public have raised questions about the government’s transparency and accountability in sharing information with the public. The ongoing legal proceedings will likely result in further delays before the full extent of Hale’s writings is revealed to provide closure for the victims’ families and the community as a whole.
