By Tony Plohestski
Austin American-Statesman
Originally published Nov. 30, 2023
A Travis County judge has issued a formal order to the Texas Department of Public Safety for the agency to release a trove of investigative information and evidence from the 2022 Uvalde school shooting.
The Nov. 28 order by state District Judge Daniella Deseta Lyttle closely follows her statements earlier this year that she intended to order the release of most documents, including videos and statements of officers and other law enforcement who responded to the May 24, 2022, shooting at Robb Elementary School.
But the order more officially moves a case brought by multiple national and state media outlets, including the Austin American-Statesman, toward potential resolution and pushes information collected in the investigation toward transparency.
DPS spokesman Travis Considine said Thursday that the agency had no comment. It is unclear if officials will appeal.
Under the ruling, the agency has 20 days to release the information or to seek a ruling from a higher court, which could trigger the release of the records by mid-December. The order also would require DPS to also release the information within 20 days of an unsuccessful appeal.