Sedgwick Co. DA is special prosecutor in newspaper raid case
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Sedgwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett is now involved in the investigation concerning the raid on the Marion County Record.
Officers raided the newspaper’s offices on Aug. 11, 2023, and the home of the publisher, Eric Meyer. They seized equipment and personal cell phones. Gideon Cody, who was police chief then, said he was investigating whether the newspaper committed identity theft or other crimes in accessing a local restaurant owner’s state driving record.
Since then, several lawsuits have been filed against Cody, the City of Marion, the former mayor, and other government officials.
There is also an investigation to see if anyone involved committed any criminal violations. Last November, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation asked the Colorado Bureau of Investigation to take over the case to ensure impartiality and transparency.
A spokesperson for the CBI told KSN News that the lead investigator met with the Kansas special prosecutors two weeks ago and gave a presentation. The prosecutors then asked the CBI to do some additional investigating. The spokesperson said there is no estimated time for completion.
What does raided Kansas paper mean for press freedom? Experts weigh in
The Kansas Reflector reports that District Attorney Bennett and Riley County Attorney Barry Wilkerson have been appointed special prosecutors in the case.
Bennett confirmed to KSN that he and Wilkerson traveled to Denver last month.
“We spent the day receiving a detailed synopsis of the investigation conducted by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation,” he said. “We were also provided digital copies of the investigative reports. Since that time, the assigned CBI agent has received additional investigative documents, which will be assessed and then forwarded to our attention.”
Bennett said the volume of documents is nearly 10,000 pages so far.
“Mr. Wilkerson and I are in the process of reviewing the full investigation. When that review is complete, our findings will be made public,” he said.
Bennett and Wilkerson do not plan to make additional comments until the final assessment is complete.
MORE
Latest Updates
Kansas newspaper that was raided by Marion police sues officials for attack on free press
Third federal lawsuit filed over police raid at Marion County Record
Marion County Record reporter suing city, various officials over police raid
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.
