Kansas. Tap those Ruby shoes because there’s no place like home…
This just in..
Officials with the Marion Police Department confiscated computers and cellphones from the publisher and staff of the Marion County Record in Friday’s raid.
On Monday, Kansas state authorities confirmed they are also involved in a criminal probe of the newspaper over allegations that it illegally obtained and used personal information about a local business owner.
Friday’s raids have been widely condemned by many as a violation of the U.S. Constitution’s protection for a free press.
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly called the raids “concerning.”
Newspaper publisher and co-owner Eric Meyer said he believes the newspaper’s dogged coverage of local politics and Police Chief Gideon Cody’s record are the main reason for the raids. The Record was in the midst of digging into the newly hired chief’s past as a Kansas City, Missouri, police captain when the raids were carried out, Meyer said, although the newspaper hasn’t yet published a story.
The newspaper’s attorney, Bernie Rhodes of Kansas City, sent a letter to the Cody demanding that police not review any information on the computers or cellphones seized, saying they were taken illegally and contain identities of confidential sources. He also accuses Cody of misinterpreting laws on privacy and wrongly applying them to news reporters.
What makes the situation even worse is the fact that police also raided the home of Eric Meyer’s mom (she was as co owner of the paper and contributed a weekly column.. the day after the raid the 98 year old woman passed away..
Now new information has been revealed that the paper was also doing an expose on the town’s police chief ..
This video is a good summary of the strange twists and turns in this story: