Marion, Kan., Police Chief Gideon Cody resigned from his position Monday, days after it became known that he was suspended from the department. The information was confirmed by town Mayor Dave Mayfield to the Associated Press. Cody was the officer who led the controversial raid on the Marion County Record newspaper.
Gideon Cody's resignation followed criticism of the raid on the newspaper's office once a video of the incident was released. "Cody stepped down weeks after a local prosecutor said that there wasn’t sufficient evidence to justify the search of the Marion County Record or searches at the same time of the publisher’s home and [City Councilwoman Ruth] Herbel’s home," noted the AP.
In August, there was a questionable search of the newspaper's offices by the Marion Police Department. While Marion County Record Director Eric Meyer insists that the raid was politically motivated due to content published by the newspaper, Cody claimed it was a legal measure. "I believe when the rest of the story is available to the public, the judicial system that is being questioned will be vindicated. I appreciate all the assistance from all the state and local investigators along with the entire judicial process thus far," Cody said during a conversation with CNN.
'Illegal raids'
The Marion County Record linked the death of its co-owner, Joan Meyer, 98, to the police action. An article published by the paper read, "98-year-old newspaper co-owner Joan Meyer, otherwise in good health for her age, collapsed Saturday afternoon and died at home." The article is titled: "Illegal raids contribute to death of newspaper co-owner."
