In a recent discussion between Michael Patrick Leahy and Steve Bannon, the focus was on a contentious legal battle surrounding the Tennessee Star’s coverage of Audrey Elizabeth Hale, a transgender individual implicated in a tragic shooting at Covenant School in Nashville. The conversation shed light on the complexities of media freedom, legal challenges, and societal implications- and the tactic of control by corporate media on independent journalism.

“I want to know why an NBC reporter is instigating this. I thought they stood for the First Amendment. They talk all the time about how Trump’s going to destroy institutions. They’re not about rejuvenating institutions because they’re corrupt. You can see no better example of this radical transgender ideology and the violence that comes from it,” Bannon said to Leahy about the odd attack on a media group by a rival news organization.

And now Leahy faces a prison sentence for allegedly publishing information he claims he did not publish- but says he has the right to the public for the public good.

As Leahy explained to Bannon, the Tennessee Star, represented by Leahy, found itself in legal crosshairs after an NBC reporter made what Leahy described as unfounded complaints to the judge after Leahy attempted to obtain documents related to Hale’s case.

Leahy began the Monday AM discussion with Bannon by outlining the timeline and details of the case. On March 27, 2023, Hale, identified as transgender, committed a heinous act at Covenant School, resulting in the deaths of three students and three staff members. Following the incident, law enforcement secured journals and documents from Hale’s possession, initiating legal battles over public access to these materials under Tennessee’s public records laws.

Read Leahy’s most recent report on the matter:

You can read all our reporting on the Covenant School killer investigation here: https://t.co/O5DGD22qhT

— MichaelPatrick Leahy (@michaelpleahy) June 16, 2024

Leahy explained to Bannon that despite legal efforts to obtain and review these documents, the Metro Nashville Police Department initially denied their release.  Then, legal action was pursued, leading to ongoing scrutiny by Judge Lashem Miles, who has conducted an “in-camera” review of the documents for over a year.

The heart of the legal dispute lies in allegations that Leahy and the Tennessee Star prematurely published sensitive materials related to the case. Leahy clarified that while they legally obtained the documents, they had not yet published them, asserting their First Amendment rights to report responsibly on matters of public interest.

The situation escalated when an NBC News reporter’s misinformation prompted Judge Miles to issue a show-cause order against Leahy, alleging contempt of court.

Bannon and Leahy both talked about the sensitive nature of the case, highlighting failures in mental health care systems and potential cover-ups surrounding the incident. Leahy cited evidence suggesting that Hale had been under psychiatric care at Vanderbilt University Medical Center for over two decades, raising questions about the adequacy of care and the duty to warn potential victims under Tennessee law.

During the conversation, the two scrutinized the role of the institutions involved, including law enforcement agencies, educational institutions, and the media. Bannon criticized what he perceived as a systemic attempt to suppress information critical to public understanding and accountability.

As the legal battle unfolds, Leahy was determined to defend his actions, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in reporting sensitive issues. He called for public support and highlighted the financial strain of legal defense against what he described as undue legal pressure.

Monday’s chat exposed the intersection of media freedom, legal challenges, and societal responsibilities in the context of a historic case and the tactics used to control information flow to the American people.

For more context, watch:

NBC News Reporter Colludes With Judge To Takedown Michael Patrick Leahy’s Reporting