Former Marion police chief at center of newspaper raid appears in criminal court

MARION, Kan. – The police chief who conducted high-profile raids on a Kansas newsroom and two homes appeared in court for the first time Monday.

Former Marion, Kansas, police chief Gideon Cody was charged with obstruction, a low-level felony, for asking a witness to delete his text messages after the raids, according to two special prosecutors who reviewed the case.

During court, Cody sat quietly with a blank expression on his face.

Cody’s attorney, Salvatore Intagliata, filed a motion to dismiss the case for lack of evidence. However, Judge Ryan W. Rosauer denied that request in court Monday.

On August 11, 2023, Cody searched the newspaper offices, the vice mayor’s home and the home of Eric Meyer, the owner of the Marion County Record, who lived with his 98-year-old mother, Joan Meyer.

Cody accused Marion County Record staff of committing identity theft against a local businesswoman by obtaining her driving records.

Cody also accused the deputy mayor of committing a crime by leaking the information.

A day after the raids, Joan Meyer died, sparking outrage across the country and thrusting Cody into the national spotlight.

Two special investigators who investigated the case concluded that neither journalists nor the deputy mayor had committed any crimes.

Cody is the only person charged in connection with the raids.

The obstruction charge against Cody stems from a story the I-Team broke in September 2023.

Kari Newell, the businesswoman at the center of Cody’s investigation into the newspaper, told the I-Team that Cody asked her to delete her text messages.

Cody was suspended the same day the I-Team reported the information. Within days, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation began looking into the claims and questioned Newell about the deleted texts, according to court documents.

Eric Meyer, owner of Record, was in court Monday reporting on the case.

Meyer commented on Cody’s performance.

“I would have preferred if he had worn a prison jumpsuit,” Meyer said.

Shortly after the raids, Cody told the I-Team that the justice system would be vindicated.

The I-Team asked Cody about the comment as he left court. Cody didn’t want to speak to the press, but his lawyer gave a vague answer.

“If I had anything to say at all on behalf of Cody, it would be this: that the people of Marion County, really the key people involved in this situation, take a minute to reserve judgment.” said Intagliata. “Take a minute not to jump to conclusions and let the system work.”

While Intagliata urged the community not to jump to conclusions, it’s worth noting that Cody’s investigation into the newspaper lasted three days. Cody started the raids on the fourth day.

Cody’s attorney said the “full” story will come to light in court.

Meyer said he was disappointed that Cody was only being charged in connection with the deleted texts and not the raids.

Meyer also said he was disappointed that no one else was being held responsible.

Judge Laura Viar signed the arrest warrants.

The district attorney reviewed the warrants but admitted he did not read the documents thoroughly.

Additionally, the Marion County Sheriff’s Department assisted in the raids.

Meyer and the vice mayor also said other city leaders may have played a larger role in Cody’s decision to launch the raids.

“He (Cody) shouldn’t be the only one charged,” Meyer said.

Monday’s hearing lasted less than 10 minutes. During this time, Cody’s defense team asked Judge Rosaauer for more time to review the findings – or the facts – in the case.
Prosecutors representing the state did not object to the extension, allowing the judge to set the next court hearing in the case for December.

As part of Monday’s hearing, Cody waived his right to appear at future hearings and trials other than the arraignment, trial, preliminary hearing and any objections.

The judge ordered a $5,000 personal recognizance bond, meaning Cody will only have to pay if he fails to appear at a required hearing.

LINK | KSHB 41 coverage of the raid in the Marion Record newspaper

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