Kansas prosecutor concludes insufficient evidence to support county police raid on newspaper.
A Kansas County Prosecutor Withdraws Warrant for Raid on Small-Town Newspaper
A Kansas county prosecutor has made a surprising move by withdrawing the warrant for a raid on a small-town newspaper. The prosecutor, Marion County Attorney Joel Ensey, stated that the county police had “insufficient evidence” to seize information from the paper. This decision comes after Marion County Police officers and sheriff’s deputies conducted a raid on the Marion County Record on August 11, causing the paper, which had been in operation for over 150 years, to shut down. The raid sparked nationwide backlash from press freedom activists who saw it as a violation of constitutional rights.
Backlash and Reversal
The raid on the Marion County Record prompted outrage from press freedom activists across the country. However, Ensey’s recent announcement has brought some relief. He explained that there was not enough evidence to establish a connection between the alleged crime and the places searched or items seized. As a result, Ensey has submitted a proposed order to the court, requesting the release of the seized evidence and the return of the material to its rightful owners.
The lawyer for the Marion County Record, Bernie Rhodes, confirmed that the search warrant has been withdrawn and the seized items are being released. Rhodes is working closely with law enforcement to ensure a swift return of the items.
A Controversial Story and Accusations
The raid on the newspaper coincided with a raid on the home of publisher and co-owner Eric Meyer. Meyer reported that his cellphone, computer, and home’s internet router were taken. He believes that the raid was a result of a story published by the Marion County Record about local restaurant owner Kari Newell.
Newell had accused the newspaper at a recent City Council meeting of using illegal means to obtain information about her drunk driving conviction. She claimed that the Marion County Record unlawfully used her credentials to access information that was only available to law enforcement, private investigators, and insurance agencies.
The Marion County Record admitted to receiving a tip about Newell’s case but decided not to publish a story after attempting to verify the information through public records. However, they did publish an article about Newell’s statement at the council meeting, where she confirmed her DUI conviction in 2008.
Ongoing Investigation
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation has stated that it will continue its criminal investigation into the events surrounding the raid, despite the withdrawal of the search warrant. They have pledged to work with the Marion County Record to promptly return all seized items. Once their investigation concludes, they will present their findings to the Marion County Attorney for review.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
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