Key takeaways:
- Mayor David Mayfield suspended Police Chief Gideon Cody following a series of raids on August 11.
- The raids included the office of the local newspaper, the Marion County Record, and the home of the city’s Vice Mayor Ruth Herbel.
- The raids sparked criticism from press advocates over whether they violated First Amendment rights.
On Thursday, Marion, Kansas Mayor David Mayfield suspended Police Chief Gideon Cody following a series of raids that included the office of the local newspaper, the Marion County Record, and the home of the city’s Vice Mayor Ruth Herbel.
The raids occurred on August 11, and were conducted in response to Cody’s belief that a reporter had committed identity theft by accessing the driver records of restaurant owner Kari Newell. According to the search warrant, the police seized personal cellphones, computers, the newspaper’s file server and other equipment.
The raids also included the home of Joan Meyer, the 98-year-old co-owner of the Marion County Record. Meyer collapsed and died at her home the following day, Aug. 12.
The raids sparked criticism from press advocates over whether they violated First Amendment rights. The Marion County Record released a statement following the raids, saying, “We are deeply troubled by the events of the past week and the implications for our First Amendment rights and the rights of all citizens.”
The suspension of Police Chief Cody is the latest development in a story that has raised questions about the protection of press freedom in Marion, Kansas. It is unclear at this time what further action, if any, will be taken by the city.
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