Kansas Newspaper Raid Spurs Outrage and Raises Legal Questions
A Kansas newspaper found itself at the center of controversy when it was raided by local police last week. The Marion County Record, a weekly publication serving a small town of 1,900, had its equipment seized by the Marion Police Department. However, questions surrounding the legality of the raid have emerged, leading to the release of the confiscated items.
The newspaper defiantly published its weekly edition on Wednesday with the striking headline, SEIZED…but not silenced. The determined staff worked tirelessly through the night, using old equipment, to ensure the paper made it to the community.
Eric Meyer, the publisher of the Marion County Record, expressed his unwavering commitment to delivering the news, stating, We would rather die than not get published.
Later in the day, the search warrant authorizing the raid was withdrawn, and the seized items were returned. Marion County Attorney Joel Ensey explained that upon reviewing the search warrant, he found insufficient evidence to link the newspaper office and the confiscated items to the alleged crime the police claimed to be investigating. Ensey also called for the public release of the affidavit that prompted the warrant.
Bernie Rhodes, the attorney representing the newspaper, stated that their forensic expert had recovered the seized materials from the office of the county sheriff, who had assisted with the raid. While the police assured Rhodes that they had not accessed any information on the seized items, their expert would still verify this claim.
While the return of the confiscated materials is considered a step in the right direction, Rhodes acknowledged that the situation is far from resolved. He emphasized that it would take time for justice to prevail and suggested that the police might have violated laws regarding press freedom. Experts have pointed to potential violations of the federal Privacy Protection Act of 1980 and the Kansas Reporter Shield Law of 2010.
In addition to seizing materials from the newspaper office, the police also executed a search warrant on the homes of Eric Meyer and city councilwoman Ruth Herbel. Tragically, Meyer’s 98-year-old mother, Joan, was present at the time of the raid and passed away the following day. Meyer attributed her death to the stress caused by the police intrusion. A makeshift memorial of flowers was created outside the Record’s office in honor of Joan Meyer, the paper’s co-owner.
The raid was prompted by a complaint from local restauranteur Kari Newell, who accused the newspaper of illegally obtaining information about her drunk driving conviction. Eric Meyer vehemently denied the accusation, asserting that the paper received the information from a separate source and only published it after Newell publicly accused the newspaper of wrongdoing at a city council meeting. Meyer also revealed that he and one of his reporters were ejected from a public event hosted by Newell earlier in the month, featuring Rep. Jake LaTurner.
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation has taken over the inquiry and announced that it will proceed without examining any of the evidence seized during the raid. It remains unclear whether the KBI is investigating the police department, the newspaper, or both. Adding further complexity to the situation, it has been reported that the judge who signed off on the controversial search warrant, Laura Viar, has a history of DUI arrests.
The newspaper’s plight has garnered support from journalistic organizations across the state and the country. Additionally, since the raid, the Marion County Record has received approximately 2,000 new subscriptions, most of them digital, as people seek to show their support in person by stopping by the paper’s office.
The White House has also taken notice of the incident, with press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre noting that it raised concerns and questions. She emphasized the importance of press freedom as a core value in a democracy.
As investigations continue, the Marion County Record and its staff remain steadfast in their dedication to serving their community with news and information. The outcome of the ongoing legal process will determine how the saga unfolds and whether justice is ultimately served.
