Various parties are in the midst of legal proceedings seeking to force the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (MNPD) to release the writings of Audrey Hale and other related documents concerning her assault on the Covenant School in March, including concerned citizens, nonprofit groups, media organizations, and even state legislators.
A number of Tennessee legislators have publicly called on Hale’s writings to be released, not only for transparency purposes but in order to scrutinize her writings in the course of the legislative process.
A special session of the legislature is set for August to focus on school safety following the March 27 shooting, which left three nine-year-olds and three adults dead at the hands of Hale.
State Sen. Todd Gardenhire, in his personal capacity, is one of many petitioners who have filed suit to force MNPD’s hand in releasing the records. Gardenhire filed his lawsuit alongside The Tennessean, a Nashville newspaper.
After a hearing in the case last Monday, the Legal Director for the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, which encompasses MNPD, said he was “confused” as to why Gardenhire in particular filed suit.
“I would point out that Senator Gardenhire has filed a lawsuit with the Tennessean to seek the records,” Attorney Wally Dietz said in a press conference. “There’s a state law that permits any legislator to go to the [Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI)] office and look at any investigative file they have.”
Dietz told The Epoch Times in an email that one particular state statute affords legislators this right, but did not clarify what other statutes might be applicable to his comments.
“So, if Senator Gardenhire wants to see this file, he can drive to the TBI and they will show it to him,” Dietz said. “So, he didn’t need to file a lawsuit. I’m confused what that’s all about. He has a statutory right, as does every member of the legislature, to go ask the TBI to look at this file. We’re not trying to hide this from anybody.”
By Chase Smith
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