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Two special prosecutors have announced their plans to charge a former central Kansas police chief — Gideon Cody — with obstruction of justice for leading the Aug. 11, 2023 raid on the Marion County Record and the homes of the newspaper publisher and a councilwoman. This decision follows an investigation into a controversial police raid on a local newspaper last year, which sparked a national debate about press freedom.
The prosecutors’ report concluded that the staff at the Marion County Record committed no crimes before the raid, and that the search warrants used were based on inaccurate information and an “inadequate investigation.” Police body camera footage of the raid showed the 98-year-old co-owner of the paper visibly upset and telling officers to leave her home. She died of a heart attack the next day.
While prosecutors found no evidence that officers believed they were posing a risk to her life, they allege that the former police chief obstructed the judicial process in the weeks following the raid. He resigned from his position last October, and it is not yet clear whether he will be charged with a felony or misdemeanor.
The raid and its aftermath have raised serious concerns about press freedom and the conduct of law enforcement in Marion, Kansas. The newspaper’s parent company, its staff, and the family of the deceased co-owner have filed federal lawsuits against the city and several officials involved in the raid.
The former police chief’s actions have been widely condemned, and many are calling for further accountability for those involved in the raid. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of protecting press freedom and holding law enforcement accountable for their actions.
Riley County Attorney Barry Wilkerson and Sedgwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett released their conclusions Monday in a 124-page report.
