NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — On Tuesday morning, a debate that has raged for more than a year reignited after the Tennessee Star published nearly 90 pages of the Covenant School shooter’s writings, revealing more details about her mental state and inner environment.

“They wanted more information about the shooter,” says Deborah Fisher of the Tennessee Coalition for Open Government.

Fisher is committed to public transparency and accountability.

“We didn’t think this should all just be put away in a black box somewhere where no one would ever have a chance to examine it or learn more about it,” Fisher adds.

In March 2023, Nashville was rocked by a heartbreaking school shooting. The gunman killed six people. The community was shocked.

In the months that followed, Brent Leatherwood, a parent at Covenant School, spoke for the grieving families who were outraged after podcast host Steven Crowder published three pages of the shooter’s writings.

“You have allowed this woman who terrorized our family with bullets to now terrorize us with words from beyond the grave,” says Brett Leatherwood.

The publication sparked heated debate then and now. Critics fear the details could encourage copycat attempts, while others argue that they could provide important insights to prevent future tragedies.

The Tennessee Star’s lawyer says: “The job of the courts should not be to tell the press not to report because the reporting is illegal.”

In July of this year, Judge Ayesha Miles blocked publication of the writings, citing federal copyright issues, after several groups, including the Tennessee Star, sued Metro and Davidson County, advocating for First Amendment rights.

“This decision not only affects the parents, the community and the children, but will have far-reaching implications for the entire state of Tennessee,” said Judge Myles.

However, according to the new release, the State Court Administrator states that Judge Myles is not permitted to comment on ongoing cases. Below is the statement on behalf of Judge Myles:

“Under Tennessee Supreme Court rules, judges are ethically prohibited from commenting on pending cases. Beyond that, the Chancery Court Part III comments only through its orders.”

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