Judge grants charged officer’s push to seal court documents

NASHVILLE – A judge has ruled that multiple court documents from legal discovery will be filed under seal in the case against a white Nashville police officer who fatally shot an armed black man from behind in July.

In Officer Andrew Delke’s case, Davidson County Criminal Court Judge Monte Watkins on Tuesday cited state Supreme Court precedent, which says many pretrial discovery records would likely impair a defendant’s fair trial rights if made public.

Nashville District Attorney General Glenn Funk wanted the documents public, saying Delke’s case doesn’t warrant sealing of discovery previously reserved for Nashville criminal court cases involving child victims or rape.

Defence attorney David Raybin said making the documents public would let the case be tried through news coverage.

Delke is charged with first-degree murder in 25-year-old Daniel Hambrick’s death.