NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The group suing for access to The Covenant School shooter's writings has appealed the court's most recent order.
It allowed The Covenant School, Covenant Presbyterian Church, and parents to have their voices heard at a show cause hearing. Some parents are concerned that releasing the shooter's writings will inspire other school shootings.
The group filing the appeal, which includes the Tennessee Firearms Association, National Police Association, the Tennessee Star, The Tennessean newspaper, and state Sen. Todd Gardenhire, are asking for a motion to stay the hearing.
They feel it's their right to see the documents to understand the shooter's motive. This means they're asking for all future hearings in regard to the documents to be delayed while their appeal is active.
Doug Pierce's client, a private investigator for the National Police Association, wants the writings released as soon as possible.
"We don’t like the delays," Pierce said.
They're asking the court of appeals to review the judge's decision.
“The reason we have an open records law in this state is that it’s recognition. That transparency in government, and that’s the bedrock principle that democracy rests upon,” Pierce said.
If parents can't intervene, Pierce thinks the writings will be released faster.
"Metro is prepared to release in a redacted form some of the writings of the shooter in this case, but they’re not doing that because of the interest that has been expressed by the intervenors — the parents."
The stay will likely be decided on Thursday, so the show cause hearing was tentatively postponed to June 16. But that date remains up in the air depending on what happens in the court of appeals.
