A Tennessee judge has ruled against releasing the writings of Audrey Hale, the Nashville school shooter who killed six people at The Covenant School in March 2023. The decision, influenced by concerns over potential trauma and copycat violence, was supported by the victims' families who now hold the copyright to Hale's documents. Judge I'Ashea Myles cited the federal Copyright Act to preempt public records requests and noted that Hale's writings mimicked past shooters, increasing the risk of similar attacks. Hale's writings include 20 journals, a suicide note, and a memoir, all of which were seized by Metro Nashville Police. The ruling is expected to be appealed by several organizations seeking to understand Hale's motives. The judge also emphasized that ongoing investigations further justify withholding the documents.