Kansas police raid home of 98-year-old woman who is co-owner of local newspaper

The police chief who led the raid of a Kansas newspaper alleged in previously unreleased court documents a reporter either impersonated someone else or lied about her intentions when she obtained the driving records of a local business owner.

But reporter Phyllis Zorn, Marion County Record Editor and Publisher Eric Meyer and the newspaper's attorney said Sunday that no laws were broken when Zorn accessed a public state website for information on restaurant operator Kari Newell.

The raid carried out Aug. 11 and led by Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody brought international attention to the small central Kansas town that now finds itself at the center of a debate over press freedoms. Police seized computers, personal cellphones and a router from the newspaper, but all items were released Wednesday after the county prosecutor concluded there wasn't enough evidence to justify the action.

Late Saturday, the Record's attorney, Bernie Rhodes, provided copies of the affidavits used in the raid to The Associated Press and other news media. The documents that had previously not been released. They showed that Zorn's obtaining of Newell's driving record was the driving force behind the raid.

The newspaper, acting on a tip, checked the public website of the Kansas Department of Revenue for the status of Newell's driver's license as it related to a 2008 conviction for drunk driving.

Cody wrote in the affidavit that the Department of Revenue told him that those who downloaded the information were Record reporter Phyllis Zorn and someone using the name “Kari Newell.” Cody wrote that he contacted Newell who said “someone obviously stole her identity.”

As a result, Cody wrote: “Downloading the document involved either impersonating the victim or lying about the reasons why the record was being sought."

The license records are normally confidential under state law, but can be accessed under certain circumstances, cited in the affidavit. The online user can request their own records but must provide a driver's license number and date of birth.

[jamesross]

Remember that a judge, with unlimited immunity, signed that illegal warrant. When you talk about police reform, don't forget that judges need to be held accountable to.

[emc]

She died the next day her son said. She said " where have all the good people gone?" She was so upset. It was deemed an illegal search.

[austinbandy]

And now that entire town hates them. The owner was even giver 20k in donations just to help fight these scum

[ziirhuuwhetongoli]

It's so sad that this killed her! That whole department needs to be held accountable

[mikeish]

Unfortunate, the next day she passed away. No doubt due to the stress of this situation. I’m not anti blue, but police reform seriously needs to occur. She should have been honored in her late years for longevity; not harassed.

[rewtdawg]

The judge who signed the search warrant needs to be disbarred and sent to prison. This is a clear case of corruption. The constitution supersedes county politics.

[fasthandsz]

98 and still kicking ass, this whole thing could’ve been avoided

[nodoor]

Those officers are disgraceful and the city has opened itself to a first amendment lawsuit. The chief of police needs to be voted out.

[r_l_o]

You can’t treat a 90+ year old woman like that!

[Shaw]

98yo and no fear of tyrant thugs with guns

[_Phenixx_]

I hope her son carries on the newspaper and continues telling truth in the name of his mother’s legacy.

[tammymann]

Looks like the law trying to find something they don't want circulated for some Damn body..

[Elizabeth-geil]

Wrong on so many levels. All of those police offices should be ashamed of themselves.

[elizabethlafleur]

They’re nasty. Get out of that poor woman’s house! Taking advantage of the vulnerable with their abuse of power. A bunch of out of shape men!

[RBa-nr]

Seriously! They need all those cops there for a 98 yr. old woman? Half of they aren't doing anything, waste of taxpayers money

[hugokatz]

Every cop participating in this criminal abuse of power, should be fired, arrested, and personally tried. A little jail time is in order.

[beverlydiltz]

We need police reform. It's unlawful and shameful.

[themusicfireo]

Good she had camera with audio and she was coherent blessings to her

[QUEENBEE]

This raid happened August 11th and the woman died August 12th. These cops are scum of the earth. Stressed this lady to death.

[peaceonearth]

So sad to see an elderly being disrespecting like this. Heartbreaking!