Almost a year after the authorities raided The Marion County Record, a Kansas weekly newspaper, a former reporter has reached a $235,000 settlement following a lawsuit over the search. This incident sparked a national conversation about press freedoms.
The settlement, dated June 25, marked the end of a legal battle between the former reporter, Deb Gruver, and Gideon Cody, who stepped down as Marion city police chief amidst public scrutiny.
Ms. Gruver alleged that Mr. Cody injured her hand while seizing her personal cellphone during the raid. Body-camera footage supported her claim, according to Eric Meyer, the newspaper’s publisher.
On Saturday, Mr. Meyer revealed that body-camera audio captured Mr. Cody expressing satisfaction with his actions, saying, “it just made his day.”
Ms. Gruver, who left the newspaper in the fall, stated in a letter to the editor that she no longer wanted to work in a place where the local “leaders” did not respect the Fourth Estate or the U.S. Constitution, as reported by The Record.
The events unfolded on Aug 11, 2023, when local police and county sheriff’s deputies conducted a raid on The Record’s office and other locations connected to the paper. This incident ignited a heated debate on First Amendment rights across the country.
The search warrant was issued shortly before the raid, leading officers to search the newsroom and seize various items. The authorities claimed the investigation was related to potential identity theft stemming from unpublished material in possession of the newspaper.
Within days, the county prosecutor ordered the return of seized devices due to insufficient evidence. The raid also had tragic consequences, with the publisher’s mother passing away shortly after.
The fallout from the raid included questions surrounding the police chief’s past behavior and allegations of misconduct. Ms. Gruver, who was central to uncovering this information, saw her desk searched during the raid, leading to further legal action.
Multiple lawsuits are still pending against county officials involved in the raid. The community response has been a bipartisan effort, emphasizing the importance of upholding press freedoms.
The settlement amount will be covered by the city’s insurance carrier. City officials and Mr. Cody have not issued a statement on the recent developments.
