NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The ongoing debate on whether or not the writings of The Covenant School killer should be released to the public is set to continue next week in court.
Davidson County Chancellor I'ashea Myles set a "show-cause" hearing for Monday after receiving a media call for comment about a story posted by The Tennessee Star, which appears to have published some of the alleged writings from the school shooter, Audrey Hale.
The judge wants to "determine why the alleged publication of certain purported documents by Petitioners Star Digital Media and Michael Leahy, as the Editor-in-Chief, does not violate the Orders of this Court subjecting them to contempt proceedings and sanctions."
The Tennessee Star's owner is a party in the case. Chancellor Myles will determine if the Star violated court orders, which could lead to punishment at the judge's discretion.
The Star claims it has obtained 80 pages of Hale's writings.
Click here to read the Chancellor's order.
On March 27, 2023, six people, including three children, were shot and killed by 28-year-old Audrey Hale at the Covenant School in Green Hills. The victims were identified as Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs, and William Kinney, all 9 years old; as well as Cynthia Peak, 61; Dr. Katherine Koonce, 60; and Mike Hill, 61.
Investigators executed search warrants the same day of the shooting from the Hale family home. The search of the Brightwood Avenue home took place just hours after the mass shooting.
Inside the home, officers found two shotguns, one in a bedroom closet and another next to a desk in a bedroom. A suicide note was found on a desk in one of the bedrooms. Detectives also took at least 20 journals and a memoir from the home.
Investigators also seized what they described as a psychiatric medical folder. Hale was also reportedly under doctor’s care for an “emotional disorder.”
The Star claims it has obtained 80 pages of Hale's writings. The hearing will take place on Monday, June 17 at 11 a.m.