Tennessee Paper Defies Court, Publishes Hale's Journal

The Tennessee Star has released the full 90-page journal of Audrey Hale, the shooter who killed six people at Nashville's Covenant School in March 2023. The journal, which was published despite a court order sealing it, reveals Hale's struggles with gender identity and mental health issues, and includes expletive-laden rants and references to her attack plans. Editor Michael Patrick Leahy defended the publication, citing First Amendment rights and the public's need to understand the motivations behind the attack. The parents of the victims, who hold the copyright to Hale's writings, have expressed concerns about potential copycat incidents and psychological harm. The leak has sparked calls for a broader discussion on the influence of transgender ideology and mental health failures.