Antioch Church Shooting: Judge Issues Gag Order

NASHVILLE, TN -- The judge presiding over the trial of accused Antioch church shooter Emanuel Samson issued a gag order Monday, barring those involved with the case from speaking to the media in an effort to preserve the fairness of the trial.

The far-reaching order cites the political and social conversation surrounding mass shootings and while it does not prohibit the media from reporting on the case, it does bar attorneys from speaking to reporters or otherwise commenting publicly.

Samson had previously attended Burnette Chapel Church of Christ and on Sept. 24, 2017, police say he drove to the church with a carful of weapons and began firing, killing 39-year-old Melanie Crow of Smyrna in the parking lot and injuring seven others, including the church's pastor Joey Spann, inside the building. He was eventually subdued by long-time parishioner and church usher Caleb Engle, 22, who rushed from the church during the attack to his car to retrieve his handgun.

Police have not publicly disclosed a motive, though detectives did say they found a note in Samson's car referencing a white supremacist's 2015 massacre at a South Carolina black church. The note found on the dashboard read something like, "Dylann Roof was less than nothing," MNPD Det. Jolley testified at an October 2017 hearing. Jolley said Samson admitted to the shooting in its aftermath, said he had visions of the church, but was otherwise vague.

A federal civil rights investigation into whether the attack was racially or religiously motivated is also pending.

Through his attorney, Samson pleaded not guilty last month to one count of murder, three counts of civil rights intimidation, seven counts of attempted first-degree murder, seven counts of employing a firearm during a dangerous felony, 24 counts of aggravated assault and one count of reckless endangerment.

It's likely that Samson's mental state will be a key issue once the case goes to trial and he is scheduled to undergo evaluations to that end, the results of which, under the gag order, will be sealed until trial.

Photo via Metro Nashville Police