Judge rules Covenant shooter’s writings will not be released

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – Davidson County Chancellor I’ashea Myles has ruled the Covenant School shooter’s writings will not be released at this time, according to a court filing issued late Thursday night.

Myles has been proceeding over the Davidson County Chancery Court case over whether evidence, including journals of the shooter who shot and killed six people at the Covenant School in Nashville on March 27, 2023, could be released to the public after lawsuits were filed.

The hearings surrounding the writings’ release have been going on for months.

Covenant families have argued the writings could cause irreparable harm to students and families mourning the loss of school children and educators, while others suing for access believe the public has the right to know what the shooter was thinking in the days leading up to the mass shooting.

Myles’ ruling is based on a number of factors, including a federal copyright act that exempts the writings from being released and information about school security that could endanger others if it got into the wrong hands.

It’s likely the ruling will be appealed, according to court documents.

Friday morning, families of all six Covenant shooting victims released their reaction to Myles’ ruling:

The Family of Hallie Scruggs

“Far too often in our time, cruelty prevails over kindness; evil prevails over justice. Today was not one of those days. Instead, our hope is that the pain and suffering we have endured over the last year won’t continue forward to terrorize other families and other communities. Though we still grieve, we are thankful for this result.”

The Family of Mike Hill

“Our dad found such joy each day at school with those children. He loved serving them and he was always there to protect them. While we still feel the pain of his loss in our lives, this decision helps continue his legacy as our family, Covenant children, and other communities will be more protected because these ramblings will not be able to inspire future attacks from other individuals who are consumed by hate and perceived grievances.”

The Family of Cindy Peak

“The last year and a half without Cindy has been difficult. But today brings a measure of relief in our family. Denying the shooter some of the notoriety she sought by releasing her vile and unfiltered thoughts on the world is a result everyone should be thankful for. I only wish that others, whether seeking clicks or profit, had felt that way before revealing the depth of depravity that existed in the mind of a mass murderer on March 27.”

Dr. Erin Kinney, Mother of Will Kinney

“This opinion is an important first step to making sure the killer can’t hurt our babies anymore. The importance is even more clear due to the leaking of stolen police documents, which has violated our parental right to protect our traumatized and grieving children from material that could destroy their lives. We are more resolved than ever to fight to keep our children and everyone’s children safe from this murderer.”

The Family of Katherine Koonce

“The Court’s finding vindicates our family’s desire that public focus should be on the nobility of the loved ones who died tragically, and on the gracious support extended to households who suffered loss and trauma.”

The Family of Evelyn Dieckhaus

“No result will lessen the pain we carry each day. But this decision will ensure no additional burden is added to our family, and that has been a major objective for us. No one should have to live through the nightmare of losing a child to such senseless acts, and our hope is that by keeping the rest of this material from seeing the light of day, it will ensure no other family has to walk this path.”

Metro Nashville’s legal department issued the following statement:

Read Myles’ full ruling below:

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