The former police chief of Kansas who oversaw raids on a Marion County newspaper, its journalists, and its elderly co-owner will face criminal charges following an independent inquiry that discovered he hindered the legal process.
Joan Meyer, the 98-year-old co-owner of the Marion County Record, passed away the day following a police visit to her home with an improperly acquired search warrant. Security footage captured her insisting that officers “leave.” Prosecutors later retracted the warrants, indicating that then-Police Chief Gideon Cody had failed to present adequate evidence for their issuance.
“It’s unsurprising that impartial law enforcement officials would determine that journalism is not a crime, but tampering with evidence is,” stated Bernie Rhodes, an attorney for the newspaper, in a conversation with Fox News Digital on Monday. “I’m gratified that the special prosecutors recognized Gideon Cody is not an impartial law enforcement officer and that he must face repercussions for his actions.”
After a thorough independent investigation, special prosecutors announced on Monday their intention to charge Cody, who stepped down last year, for interfering with the judicial process, as reported by the Kansas City Star.
KANSAS PROSECUTOR REVOKES SEARCH WARRANTS USED IN CONTROVERSIAL NEWSPAPER RAID AFTER OWNER’S PASSING
A tribute to the late Marion County Record co-owner Joan Meyer sits outside the newspaper’s office, Monday, Aug. 14, 2023, in Marion, Kan. Meyer passed away on Aug. 12, a day after local police raided her home. Eric Meyer, her son and the newspaper’s editor, attributes his mother’s death to the stress caused by the raids. (AP Photo/John Hanna)
The special prosecutors, Sedgwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett and Riley County Attorney Barry Wilkerson, concluded that neither the newspaper nor its journalists committed any crimes prior to the raids.
“We had confidence that the independent special prosecutors would perform exactly what they’ve done, an unbiased review,” Rhodes commented.
According to their 124-page report, which the Star obtained, the raid likely contributed to Meyer’s death, but the officers involved were not found criminally responsible.
In a separate development, the Record is suing the city and other officials, including Cody, the mayor, and the county sheriff, over an alleged violation of the First Amendment.
WATCH: Video captures a 98-year-old woman scolding officers during a raid on her home as warrants were withdrawn
Sunday marks one year since the raids on Meyer’s residence and the Record’s newsroom.
LAST WORDS FROM THE MATRIARCH OF A SMALL TOWN PAPER WHO DIED AFTER A CONTENTIOUS POLICE RAID: ‘HITLER TACTICS’
Prior to these events, the newspaper sought information regarding allegations that candy shop owner Kari Newell operated a vehicle while her license was suspended due to a prior DUI. The paper subsequently faced accusations of identity theft and unlawful access to a computer, leading to the confiscation of their equipment.
Marion County Record Publisher Eric Meyer speaks with reporters regarding the fallout from a police raid on his newspaper’s office and home, Monday, Aug. 14, 2023, in Marion County, Kan. Meyer has received support offers from across the U.S., and the Society of Professional Journalists has committed $20,000 to the paper’s legal defense. (AP Photo/John Hanna)
Reporters had investigated Newell’s DUI but had not published a story, finding a potential conflict of interest in the initial source of information. However, following the raids, the paper disclosed allegations from its informant suggesting that police were aware of Newell’s suspended license but did not take action.
Newell declined to comment on the situation when approached by Fox News Digital.
Before her passing, Joan Meyer reportedly described the police department’s conduct as “Hitler tactics.”
The offices of the Marion County Record weekly newspaper are pictured in Marion, Kan., on Aug. 21, 2023. (AP)
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The Marion County Record has its roots in 1874, established by E.W. Hoch, whose family owned the newspaper for more than 100 years before Meyer and her husband intervened in 1998 to prevent it from being acquired by a corporate entity, according to the Reflector. Bill Meyer had been associated with the paper since 1948 and passed away in 2006.
Meanwhile, a state committee has exonerated the magistrate judge who initially authorized the warrants.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
