Who is Dave Mayfield? Marion Mayor suspends police chief Gideon Cody after newspaper raid leads to 98-year-old owner's death
MARION, KANSAS: Marion Mayor Dave Mayfield suspended Police Chief Gideon Cody, who led a controversial raid on a small Kansas newspaper, on Thursday, September 28.
Gideon Cody had led a widely condemned raid on the Marion County Record newspaper, which apparently led to the death of its 98-year-old owner the day after the raid. However, the mayor has not provided details about Cody's current status or pay.
Mayfield, who was elected Mayor of Marion on November 5, 2019, told The Wichita Eagle, "I mean, everybody's looking at Marion like we're a bunch of hicks now. And the police department just did what the judge allowed them to do."
Gideon Cody was accused of sexual misconduct
Gideon Cody was under investigation by the Marion County Record newspaper over allegations of sexual misconduct, before he ordered his entire department to raid the newspaper offices on August 11.
The police department stated that the raid was conducted due to concerns of "identity theft" after the newspaper acquired evidence suggesting a potential violation of a liquor license.
However, the newspaper was convinced that the raid was a result of their investigation into Cody.
How did Joan Meyer die?
The raid on the newspaper offices extended to the home of the paper's editor and publisher, Eric Meyer, and his mother and co-owner, Joan Meyer, who died the next day on Saturday, August 12 at the age of 98.
Her son, Eric, blamed the authorities. She died due of "shock and grief," Meyer explained at the time, according to the NY Post.
Meyer said the message to his newspaper was clear: "Mind your own business or we’re going to step on you."
She was stressed and unable to sleep after the police seized her computer, smart speaker, her son's cellphone, and even his router.
She had allegedly opened the door to the cops assuming it was her Meals on Wheels delivery.
"She tearfully watched during the raid as police not only carted away her computer, but also dug through her son Eric’s personal bank and investments statements to photograph them," the Marion County Record said.
"She had not been able to eat after police showed up at the door of her home Friday with a search warrant in hand," the outlet stated. "Neither was she able to sleep Friday night."
