We’re in Metro Council chambers where the Oversight Committee is holdings the first hearings for the investigation into @louisvillemayor and @LMPD. Interim Chief Rob Schroeder and Chief of Public Safety Amy Hess are both here. @WLKY

Councilman Brent Ackerson, the chair of the committee, says council has been told not to ask questions about Breonna Taylor's death, the PIU or Elliott Ave. because investigations into those issues are ongoing. @WLKY

Both Hess and Schroeder are sworn in. Two attorneys are here representing the executive branch of Metro Gov't and, by extension, Hess. One of the attorneys says since Hess agreed to appear, a federal lawsuit has been filed against the city, mayor, LMPD and Chief Schroeder. @WLKY

Some background on that lawsuit: https://www.wlky.com/article/aclu-naacp-file-lawsuit-against-lmpd-mayor-for-indiscriminate-use-of-force/33484534

The attorney says the committee's investigation overlaps with the federal lawsuit. A lot of legalese but I believe he is arguing that because of the lawsuit, Chief Hess legally does not have to answer questions in open session. @WLKY

The attorney for Chief Rob Schroeder says the chief will not be testifying in open session, citing the federal lawsuit. Schroeder is named in the lawsuit both individually and in his official capacity as police chief. @WLKY

(no one tells you in journalism school that you also have to go to law school)

The attorney for the the executive branch (representing Hess today) says if the committee does NOT vote to go into closed session, Hess will not be testifying today. @WLKY

Ackerson says the committee will not be going into executive session and tells Hess' attorney that if she doesn't agree to speak in open session, they should leave. Hess' attorney says they will do just that. @WLKY

UPDATE: @LMPD Chief Rob Schroeder and Chief of Public Safety Amy Hess walked out of the committee meeting along with their attorneys. @WLKY

We spoke with Schroeder’s attorney, Joey Klausing, outside the chambers about what happened. Here’s what he said: @WLKY

Klausing told us he spoke with the Metro Council attorney before the meeting and told him Schroeder is ready to testify in open session but not 3 days after a federal lawsuit is filed against him. He called the meeting a "dog and pony show." @WLKY

To backtrack for a second...Ackerson addressed @louisvillemayor (I assume thinking he is watching the MetroTV feed?) and called on him to come in and testify. @WLKY

A little back and forth now between council members. Councilwoman Marilyn Parker and Councilman Bill Hollander ask why the committee wasn't told beforehand about this issue. Ackerson says he wanted the attorneys on the record explaining why Hess and Schroeder won't testify today.

Councilwoman Jessica Green wants the committee to begin issuing subpoenas. "Asking people to come politely is no longer an option," Green said. @WLKY

. @CMPiagentini makes a motion to subpoena Schroeder and Hess to testify before the committee. The consensus seems to be this would force the issue into a courtroom where a judge would rule whether they can be compelled to speak in open session. @WLKY

The committee votes 10-1 to issue subpoenas. Councilman Bill Hollander was the one no vote. He said he wants to review the law before voting to issue subpoenas. @WLKY