Former Kansas Police Chief Charged in Newspaper Raid Incident
The former police chief who oversaw a controversial raid on a small-town Kansas newspaper has been formally charged with interfering with the judicial process, as per a criminal complaint filed in Marion County District Court on Monday.
Details of the Charges
Gideon Cody faces a charge of knowingly inducing a witness to withhold information in a felony case, as outlined in the complaint. Cody has not yet provided a comment regarding the allegations.
Context of the Raid
The charges arise from a raid that transpired on August 11, 2023, targeting the Marion County Record, the publication’s publisher Eric Meyer, and a local city councilwoman. This incident has drawn significant attention and backlash for its implications on press freedom and First Amendment rights.
Public Outcry and Resignation
The raid was condemned by numerous media organizations and press freedom advocates, prompting significant scrutiny. Shortly after this incident, Cody tendered his resignation from the Marion Police Department, according to previous reports.
Legal Developments
Last week, a 124-page report was submitted by Sedgwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett and Riley County Attorney Barry Wilkerson. The report states there was probable cause to believe that Cody had committed obstruction of justice. This is defined under Kansas law as knowingly or intentionally inducing a witness or informant to withhold or delay necessary information.
Related Communications
While the report lacks specifics regarding the charge itself, it mentions a text message exchange between Cody and local restaurant owner Kari Newell, which took place after the raid.
Ongoing Legal Process
In a statement, Meyer highlighted that the criminal allegations do not primarily address the raid but rather implicate efforts by Cody to obscure evidence and witness testimony afterward. Singularly, this case is expected to continue with further civil litigation in federal court, as Meyer advocates for a resolution that achieves a definitive verdict rather than a mere settlement.
Background of the Raid
At the time of the raids, the Marion County Sheriff’s office was investigating allegations of “identity theft” allegedly connected to the acquiring of the driving records of Newell, which were reportedly accessed by a journalist from the newspaper prior to the publication of a related exposé.
