Kansas News Outlet raided by local police, who seize computers, phones and files – update
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August 16, 2023 8:10 p.m.
UPDATE: The Marion County, Kansas Attorney General has withdrawn a search warrant executed against a local newspaper last week, return of all seized items.
The raid sparked outrage, especially after the death of the 98-year-old co-editor of a heart attack while her house was raided.
Prosecutor Joel Ensey said in a statement that after reviewing the police forces, he had also "come to the conclusion that there was insufficient evidence to establish a legally sufficient link between this alleged crime and the premises searched and the objects seized".
Clayton Weimers, executive director of Reporters Without Borders, called for more explanation of how searching and typing was allowed at all.
EARLIER: A police raid in Marion, Kansas, on the home and office of a newspaper publisher is being charged with contributing to the death of the publisher's 98-year-old mother.
Joan Meyer, who was co-owner of the Marion County Record, died at home after being "stressed at the beyond her limits and overwhelmed by hours of shock and grief,” the Record reported. She was "otherwise healthy for her age," the outlet claimed.
The Marion Police Department raid stemmed from a complaint filed by a local restaurant owner. Kari Newell has accused the Record of illegally obtaining information about him during a board meeting earlier this week.
Five officers - the full contingent of the Marion Police Department - along with two sheriff's deputies came at the registries on Friday and took "everything we got," newspaper publisher and co-owner Eric Meyer told the Kansas Reflector, a nonprofit news site.
Computers, including log file service, and personal cell phones of staff members were confiscated, the Record reported.
Eric Meyer told CNN he was at home with his mother. She "watched in tears" as police took away her computer, a router and her Alexa smart speakers.
He told the Reflector and wrote in an article in the Record that Newell, who was trying to get a liquor license, had been convicted of driving while intoxicated, and had driven without a license.
Meyer said he ultimately decided not to publish the story. Instead, he notified the police, who opened an investigation and obtained a search warrant for evidence of impersonation and criminal computer use.
A search warrant, posted online by the Reflector, was approved by a judge citing the case probable that the crimes were committed.
You will be redirected to your article in seconds
August 16, 2023 8:10 p.m.
UPDATE: The Marion County, Kansas Attorney General has withdrawn a search warrant executed against a local newspaper last week, return of all seized items.
The raid sparked outrage, especially after the death of the 98-year-old co-editor of a heart attack while her house was raided.
Prosecutor Joel Ensey said in a statement that after reviewing the police forces, he had also "come to the conclusion that there was insufficient evidence to establish a legally sufficient link between this alleged crime and the premises searched and the objects seized".
Clayton Weimers, executive director of Reporters Without Borders, called for more explanation of how searching and typing was allowed at all.
EARLIER: A police raid in Marion, Kansas, on the home and office of a newspaper publisher is being charged with contributing to the death of the publisher's 98-year-old mother.
Joan Meyer, who was co-owner of the Marion County Record, died at home after being "stressed at the beyond her limits and overwhelmed by hours of shock and grief,” the Record reported. She was "otherwise healthy for her age," the outlet claimed.
The Marion Police Department raid stemmed from a complaint filed by a local restaurant owner. Kari Newell has accused the Record of illegally obtaining information about him during a board meeting earlier this week.
Five officers - the full contingent of the Marion Police Department - along with two sheriff's deputies came at the registries on Friday and took "everything we got," newspaper publisher and co-owner Eric Meyer told the Kansas Reflector, a nonprofit news site.
Computers, including log file service, and personal cell phones of staff members were confiscated, the Record reported.
Eric Meyer told CNN he was at home with his mother. She "watched in tears" as police took away her computer, a router and her Alexa smart speakers.
He told the Reflector and wrote in an article in the Record that Newell, who was trying to get a liquor license, had been convicted of driving while intoxicated, and had driven without a license.
Meyer said he ultimately decided not to publish the story. Instead, he notified the police, who opened an investigation and obtained a search warrant for evidence of impersonation and criminal computer use.
A search warrant, posted online by the Reflector, was approved by a judge citing the case probable that the crimes were committed.
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