The 911 recordings from the school shooting in Newtown, Conn. that left 20 children and six adults dead almost a year ago will be released Wednesday afternoon, officials announced on Monday.
Connecticut State's Attorney Stephen Sedensky III said that he will not appeal the release of the recordings of 911 calls during the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, after fighting for months to keep the tapes concealed.
In September, Connecticut’s Freedom of Information Commission ruled that the police recordings of that harrowing day be released to The Associated Press, but Sedensky applied for a hold in the release at a hearing on Nov. 8.
Sedensky argued that the recordings of seven calls placed from inside Sandy Hook Elementary on Dec. 14, 2012 could cause anguish for families and might put those involved at risk.
Adam Lanza, 20, killed his mother at their home and then drove to the elementary school, killing 26 people within minutes with an assault rifle before taking his own life with a handgun.
After the shootings, some speculated that police were ordered to hesitate before going into the school that December morning.
Last Tuesday, after listening to the recordings in full, New Britain Superior Court Judge Eliot Prescott denied Sedensky’s motion to conceal the 911 calls.
According to NBC Connecticut, the court acknowledged that the release will "likely be a searing reminder of the horror and pain of that awful day.”
Still, the court said, “public analysis of the recordings may serve to vindicate and support the professionalism and bravery of the first responders on December 14, 2012, who themselves have undoubtedly been subjected to emotional turmoil and pain in witnessing the scene at Sandy Hook Elementary School."
Sedensky said Monday, “we have decided not to pursue an appeal on the denial of the application for a stay.”
Newtown First Selectman Pat Llodra recently said the tapes should be released in full in order to prevent partial leaks of the recordings.
The release follows a report made public by Sedensky on Nov. 25 that revealed Adam Lanza acted alone and was obsessed with other school shootings —but could not “establish a conclusive motive."
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