Elderly Kansas Newspaper Owner Dies Due to Stress After Police Raid: Report

Tragic Loss:​ 98-Year-Old Newspaper Co-Owner ‍Dies ⁤Following Stressful⁢ Police Raid

The small-town Kansas newspaper, Marion County Record, is mourning ‌the loss of its 98-year-old co-owner, Joan Meyer. According⁤ to ​the paper, Meyer ⁤passed​ away due​ to the immense ‌stress ‍caused by a recent police raid on the publication’s office.

“Stressed beyond‍ her limits and overwhelmed by hours of shock and grief ​after illegal police raids ⁢on her home and the Marion County ‌Record newspaper office Friday, 98-year-old​ newspaper co-owner Joan Meyer, otherwise ⁢in good health for ⁤her age, collapsed Saturday afternoon and⁣ died at her home,” reported the paper.

Meyer’s son, Eric Meyer, who serves as the editor and ⁤publisher of the Marion Country Record, expressed his criticism ⁣of the​ law ⁤enforcement action that he believes led​ to ‍his mother’s tragic death. He described the raid as “Gestapo tactics from World War II.”

Earlier reports revealed ⁢that four Marion police officers and three sheriff’s‍ deputies conducted the raid, seizing personal cell ‌phones⁢ and computers.

The ​legality of the search warrant used in the raid has been ⁣questioned. ​The warrant, which allowed law enforcement officers to seize items related to allegations of identity ‌theft and illegal computer use, may have violated federal protections for journalists. Normally, a subpoena‌ is required to search and seize materials from journalists.

Despite the controversy ⁣surrounding the raid, Marion County Police Chief‌ Gideon Cody defended the actions, stating that there may be exceptions to the subpoena requirement if there is reason to believe the journalist is involved in wrongdoing.

Meanwhile, Eric Meyer plans ⁢to take legal action ⁣against the city of Marion and the individuals⁣ involved in the raid, seeking maximum sanctions‌ under the law.

Details Uncovered

The raid appears to be linked to a dispute between the newspaper and local business owner​ Kari Newell. Allegations suggest that the ‍newspaper obtained Newell’s personal information illegally, prompting her to accuse the paper of disseminating ⁣the documents at ⁢a city council meeting.

According‌ to a confidential source,​ Newell had ‌been convicted of drunken ‌driving and continued ‍to drive without a⁣ license. The Record verified this information ​but chose not to publish a story about it, suspecting a setup. Instead, they contacted‌ the police.

Press ‍freedom watchdogs ​and media organizations have condemned the‌ raid, citing concerns ​about​ government​ intrusion and potential violations of the First Amendment’s free press guarantees.