Outrage as Kansas Police Raid Publisher’s Home and Office, Leading to Tragic Death
In a shocking turn of events, the Kansas Police faced severe backlash after raiding the home and office of a newspaper publisher. Tragically, this raid reportedly contributed to the death of the publisher’s 98-year-old mother less than 24 hours later.
The publisher, Eric Meyer, is a co-owner of the Marion County Record. The devastating incident occurred when his mother, Joan Meyer, collapsed and died at her home. According to the Record, she was stressed beyond her limits and overwhelmed by hours of shock and grief. It is worth noting that Joan Meyer was otherwise in good health for her age.
The raid was carried out following an accusation made by Kari Newell, a local restaurant owner, who claimed that the Record had illegally obtained information about her during a council meeting. As a result, the Marion Police Department conducted multiple raids, including one at the Record’s office.
During the raid, law enforcement officers seized several items, including the newspaper’s file service, computers, and personal cell phones of staff members. Eric Meyer, who was at home with his mother at the time, expressed that she tearfully watched as the police confiscated her belongings, which left her unable to eat or sleep.
The sequence of events leading up to the raid began when Eric Meyer discovered through a reliable source that Newell, who was seeking a liquor license for her business, had prior convictions for drunk driving and driving without a license. While the information was verified by a reporter using the Kansas Department of Revenue’s website, Meyer ultimately decided against publishing the story. Instead, he reported the findings to the police, who then initiated an investigation. Subsequently, a search warrant was obtained, citing probable cause related to identity theft and criminal use of a computer.
The raid on the Marion County Record has ignited public outrage, with advocates arguing that it violates federal laws protecting the media. Seth Stern, director of advocacy for Freedom of the Press Foundation, condemned the incident, stating that it appears to have violated federal law, the First Amendment, and basic human decency.
On the other hand, the Marion Police Department released a statement acknowledging the protection journalists have under the federal Privacy Protection Act. However, they argued that the law does not apply when there is reason to believe the journalist is taking part in the underlying wrongdoing. The department emphasized that the victim asks that we do all the law allows to ensure justice is served.
In response to the raid, the Marion County Record plans to file a federal lawsuit against the city of Marion. While the situation continues to unfold, it is clear that this incident has raised significant concerns about press freedom and the limits of law enforcement.
As this story garners attention, it highlights the delicate balance between protecting the rights of the press and conducting law enforcement duties. The tragic death of Joan Meyer serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences that can arise from such actions. It remains to be seen how this controversy will be resolved and what implications it may have on upholding the principles of a free press.
Disclaimer: Newsweek reached out to Eric Meyer and the Marion Police Department for comment, but no immediate responses were received. Kari Newell could not be reached for comment at the time of writing.
