Current:Home > InvestKansas police chief suspended in wake of police raid on local newspaper-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Kansas police chief suspended in wake of police raid on local newspaper
View Date:2024-12-23 23:55:54
The police chief of a small Kansas town was placed on suspension Thursday after his department conducted a controversial raid on a local newspaper last month which sparked criticism from press advocates over whether it violated First Amendment rights.
Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody's suspension was reported Friday by the Marion County Record, the same newspaper that was raided. Marion Mayor Brogan Jones confirmed the suspension to the Associated Press on Saturday.
Police raided the newspaper on Aug. 11, seizing personal cellphones, computers, the newspaper's file server and other equipment. Police also raided the home of Joan Meyer, the 98-year-old co-owner of the newspaper. Meyer collapsed and died at her home the following day, Aug. 12.
According to the search warrant, Cody alleges that reporter Phyllis Zorn illegally obtained driving records for local restaurateur Kari Newell. According to the Record, Newell had accused the newspaper of illegally obtaining drunk driving information about Newell and supplying it to Marion Councilwoman Ruth Herbel.
There are also questions regarding when the search warrant was approved. Bernie Rhodes, an attorney for the newspaper, told CBS News in a statement in mid-August that the three probable cause affidavits that were the basis of the warrant were not filed in state court until Aug.14, three days after the search was conducted.
The affidavits, which were obtained by CBS News, claim to have been signed by Magistrate Judge Laura Viar on Aug. 11.
"While the affidavits purport to be signed before Magistrate Viar on the day of the illegal searches, no explanation has been provided why they were not filed prior to the execution of the illegal searches," Rhodes said in a statement back in August.
About a week after the raid, Marion County Attorney Joel Ensey announced that there was "insufficient evidence" to justify the raid, and said he had directed police to return all seized material.
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is conducting an independent investigation of the incident. According to the Record, Mayfield had initially been unwilling to suspend Cody until after the bureau had released its report of the investigation. That report has not yet been publicly released.
The federal Privacy Protection Act protects journalists and newsrooms from most searches by law enforcement, requiring police usually to issue subpoenas rather than search warrants.
— Aliza Chasan contributed to this report.
- In:
- Raid
- Free Speech
- Kansas
veryGood! (68)
Related
- Inside Dream Kardashian's Sporty 8th Birthday Party
- You can get Krispy Kreme doughnuts for $1 today: How to redeem the offer
- Feds arrest ex-US Green Beret in connection to failed 2020 raid of Venezuela to remove Maduro
- American doubles specialists Ram, Krajicek shock Spanish superstars Nadal, Alcaraz
- Over 1.4 million Honda, Acura vehicles subject of US probe over potential engine failure
- Park Fire jeopardizing one of California’s most iconic species: ‘This species could blink out’
- Families rally to urge North Carolina lawmakers to fully fund private-school vouchers
- New Jersey school is removing Sen. Bob Menendez’s name from its building
- Melissa Gilbert recalls 'painful' final moment with 'Little House' co-star Michael Landon
- Father, girlfriend charged with endangerment after boy falls to his death from 8th-story window
Ranking
- NCT DREAM enters the 'DREAMSCAPE': Members on new album, its concept and songwriting
- Hawaii Gov. Josh Green tells AP a $4 billion settlement for 2023 Maui wildfire could come next week
- Shot putter Ryan Crouser has chance to make Olympic history: 'Going for the three-peat'
- Christina Hall Reacts to Possibility of Replacing Ex Josh Hall With Ant Anstead on The Flip Off
- Here's what 3 toys were inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame this year
- Etsy plans to test its first-ever loyalty program as it aims to boost sales
- Lady Gaga's Olympics opening ceremony number was prerecorded 'for safety reasons'
- Texas is home to 9 of the 10 fastest growing cities in the nation
Recommendation
-
Tennessee fugitive accused of killing a man and lying about a bear chase is caught in South Carolina
-
Houston Police trying to contact victims after 4,017 sexual assault cases were shelved, chief says
-
PHOTO COLLECTION: Tensions rise in Venezuela after Sunday’s presidential election - July 30, 2024
-
Michelle Buteau Wants Parents to “Spend Less on Their Kids” With Back-to-School Picks Starting at $6.40
-
Will Trump curb transgender rights? After election, community prepares for worst
-
2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game: Date, time, how to watch Bears vs. Texans
-
US stands by decision that 50 million air bag inflators are dangerous, steps closer to huge recall
-
For Orioles, trade deadline, Jackson Holliday's return reflect reality: 'We want to go all the way'