Police Chief Behind Raid of Kansas Newspaper That Led to Death of 98-Year-Old Co-Owner Charged with Felony

Gideon Cody, the former police chief behind the raid of a small Kansas newspaper that led to the death of the 98-year-old co-owner has been charged with a felony.

Joan Meyer, the 98-year-old co-owner of the Marion County Record -a weekly newspaper published in Marion, Kansas- tragically passed away after an unprecedented police raid on her home and the newspaper office last August.

The city of Marion’s five-officer police force, along with two sheriff’s deputies, conducted the raid on the Marion County Record’s office and the home of owner and publisher Eric Meyer. The shocking operation left Joan Meyer, Eric’s mother, and co-owner of the paper, dead, and has been characterized by Meyer as an assault on press freedom.

Joan Meyer, newswoman since 1953 (Source: Kansas.com)

The raid came on the heels of a bitter feud between the Marion County Record and a local restaurant owner, Kari Newell. The newspaper had reportedly acquired sensitive documents potentially leading to the revocation of Newell’s liquor license. These documents included evidence of drunk driving convictions and operating a vehicle without a license.

The search warrant authorized the seizure of computer hardware and software, digital communications, cellular networks, servers, hard drives, utility records, and documents related to Newell. Specifically, the warrant focused on the ownership of computers that could be involved in the alleged “identity theft of Kari Newell.”

During the raid, police not only seized computers and internet routers from the Meyers’ home but also dug through Eric Meyer’s personal bank and investment statements. Joan Meyer, waiting for a Meals on Wheels delivery at the time, reportedly watched tearfully as the police conducted their search. The distressing event left her unable to eat or sleep, contributing to her death, according to the newspaper.

Gideon Cody was charged with one felony count of interfering with the judicial process last week.

The Kansas City Star reported:

The former police chief who led a raid on a Kansas newspaper has been charged with a felony.

Gideon Cody faces one count of interference with the judicial process, a felony with a possible punishment of seven to 23 months in prison.

The case stems from Cody’s actions following the Aug. 11, 2023, raid on the Marion County Record when he allegedly told local businesswoman Kari Newell to delete texts between them.

The charge was announced earlier last week when special prosecutors who reviewed the case released a 124-page report detailing their findings. Prosecutors formally filed the case on Monday in Marion County District Court.

The criminal complaint against Cody lists the date of the crime as between Aug. 11 and Aug. 17. A host of law enforcement officials, journalists and local figures are listed as witnesses. Kansas Bureau of Investigation Director Tony Mattivi is also listed as a witness.

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