MARION, Kansas (KWCH) – Former Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody is facing charges in connection with raids last year on the Marion County Record newspaper’s offices, as well as the homes of the newspaper’s publisher and a former city council member.
In Marion County, Cody is charged with obstructing a judicial proceeding and inducing a witness to withhold or delay information in a criminal proceeding. Civilly, Cody is one of several charged in connection with the raids.
Last week, Sedgwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett and Riley County District Attorney Barry Wilkerson have been appointed special prosecutors in the case.. Bennett and Wilkerson’s final report on the case states that Cody will be charged with obstruction of justice, a Level 8 felony that does not involve a person. If convicted, Cody faces between seven and 23 months in prison.
The Marion County District Attorney appointed Wilkerson as lead prosecutor in the case.
Last August, Cody ordered a raid on the Marion County Record, the home of publisher Eric Meyer and then-city council member Ruth Herbal, who had criticized the mayor.
Cody said at the time that he had evidence that the newspaper, reporter Phyllis Zorn and the city council member committed identity theft or other computer crimes to obtain information about the driving habits of a local business owner. His victims said they did nothing illegal and no charges were ever filed.
Cody resigned in October, a week after his suspension was announced during a city council meeting.
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