A former police chief from central Kansas is facing serious legal trouble. The ex-Marion Police Chief, Gideon Cody, has been charged with felony obstruction of justice. He is accused of influencing a potential witness in an investigation into his own actions. The charge states that Cody persuaded the witness to withhold information during a raid on the Marion County Record office and the publisher’s home. The specifics of Cody’s alleged actions have not been detailed in the charge.
Recently, two special prosecutors revealed text messages between Cody and a business owner following the raid. The business owner claimed that Cody asked her to delete messages between them to avoid any misunderstanding about their relationship. She emphasized that their interactions were strictly professional. Cody had justified the raid by claiming that the newspaper, Publisher Eric Meyer, and reporter Phyllis Zorn were involved in identity theft or computer crimes. However, the prosecutors ultimately found no evidence of any criminal activity by Meyer, Zorn, or the newspaper. They attributed Cody’s erroneous conclusions to a flawed investigation.
The charge against Cody was brought by special prosecutor Barry Wilkerson, who serves as the lead prosecutor in Riley County. The prosecutors also reviewed police body-camera footage from the raid on Eric Meyer’s home in 2023. The video showed Meyer’s elderly mother expressing distress and demanding that the officers leave. Tragically, she passed away from a heart attack the following day. Despite this, the prosecutors determined that Cody and the other officers did not pose a direct risk to her life during the raid.
The incident has led to significant controversy and raised questions about law enforcement conduct. The case highlights the importance of thorough investigations and responsible actions by those in positions of authority. It also underscores the need for transparency and accountability in police operations. The tragic outcome of the raid serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of official misconduct and the impact it can have on individuals and communities.
