When Police Raid A Newspaper for No Reason

[@LegalEagle]

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[@cheebahjones420]

The Georgia Flips!

[@Chithappens1995]

There’s a KZbinr had his dodge viper impounded for street racing videos!! Please cover it!

[@osmosisjones4912]

Here's debunk the fake alector conspiracy Hoax. Legal done before for JFK . When a states fraud or sloppy elections. And has to redo the hall thing alternative alectors

[@ViableGibbon]

Please Do A JFK 1991 Film Review on it's LAW ACCRUCY PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE?

[@topes_rule]

Hey @LegalEagle, you should stop using lastpass.

[@skylerjohnson1827]

Cops moving districts to avoid punishment needs to stop!

[@dynomar11]

Same with priests

[@tommctear4672]

Straight out of the Catholic church's playbook

[@tylerward4386]

Yeah, too bad police departments are extremely bad at background checking. I wonder how they enforce the law normally at all?

[@joewilson3393]

Part of the issue is that everything he did just ended with an allegation. He wasn't even administratively punished or reprimanded.

[@thomasbecker9676]

@@joewilson3393 Were the allegations even investigated?

[@shrewprincess]

The scary part is that they absolutely would have gotten away with it if they'd targeted anyone but Eric Meyer. He's not just some small town newspaper editor, he's a retired journalism professor with contacts all over the country. He's a true believer with a vindictive streak. Anyone actually from Marion knows not to mess with him, but Newell and Cody "ain't from around here."

[@Bacteriophagebs]

That's good to hear because it means he's less likely to wuss out and take a lowball settlement.

[@onikin]

​@@Bacteriophagebsthey killed his mother. Of course he isn't backing down.

[@BSpinoza210]

@@onikin Bingo, you can mess with me, but hurt my family? There is no end to the torment my creative mind can dream up for you.

[@andrewbloom7694]

I really dont think they would have actually. Raiding a newspaper is a HUGE deal, it made the news in lots of countries specifically for that reason. And that would happen regardless of who the specific journalist was

[@denarisnoctem4562]

Makes you wonder how often they have already gotten away with intimidating and interfering w/ normal citizens already.

[@brokedude9999]

If there is a Sex offenders registry, why can't there be a Police registry of misconduct

[@BAM5636]

Well there could be if not for the police union and the "law and order" candidates they buy to make sure that never happens.

[@aquageist]

Some attorney generals maintain one, although unfortunately they only use it to keep those cops out from the view of a jury. Sometimes you'll see a completely unrelated cop testifying on a case by saying "my colleague saw X and did Y...", often that's because their colleague would end up being asked about that time they grossly abused their authority in a similar situation or lied to a court or something else like that.

[@anonymousrex5207]

It's called the "Brady List" and every jurisdiction has one. The problem is many agencies when hiring an officer from out of state or another jurisdiction don't bother to check things like this when hiring people because many agencies are desperate for bodies right now to fill vacancies.

[@BAM5636]

​@@anonymousrex5207I think the point is it is not required for police. So the fact there is a voluntary list doesn't do much, especially if it isn't even looked at. Also, there is a shortage of Doctors as well but they don't hire doctors guilty of negligence or some crime. Why it can't be the same way for police is nonsensical.

[@ravenoferin500]

​@@BAM5636I agree with the main premise there but it happens with doctors too. Indiana is a dumping ground for any doctor that's made a mistake in the Midwest due to a mixture of shortages and brain drain to surrounding states. Similarly for lawyers and judges. The state treats everything as a local matter so bad behavior tends to build until it becomes bad enough for feds to step in.

[@TheOneCleanHippy]

I love that Police Chief Gideon Cody and restaurant owner Kari Newell went to such outrageous lengths to protect their image and now the entire country knows their names and their stupidity.

[@icreatedanaccountforthis1852]

This story has spread much further than the USA so it's even worse for them.

[@aeonvigil5398]

Considering I myself am not American and now know about what they did, they screwed themselves over something fierce Edit: Spelling

[@fssstyuniaf]

Yup British person here. Authoritarian attacks on journalism from the state/government or law enforcement get MASSIVE international coverage in the western world.

[@emilala9049]

That old ladies family should sue the department, and the local DA's office, and the judge who granted the warrant, for intentional infliction of emotional distress, resulting in death, caused by their callous disregard when serving an insufficient (illegal) search warrant.

[@jpablo700]

Streisand Effect

[@Poopchute]

39 seconds in “he took a pay cut of $55,000 to move to a small town in the middle of nowhere”. Me: I’m sure that was voluntary and not a result of misconduct at his previous job. What a hard working man who wanted to return to small town living and salt of the earth people. So wholesome ❤

[@chilljelloton2089]

If only 😢

[@barbarastrayhorn4667]

W5hat a noble upstanding guy. Not

[@rumblepuffgaming9415]

The stress of those searches on that innocent woman killed her. Too bad the law doesn't protect people when the police are breaking it.

[@DerekScottBland]

End qualified immunity.

[@LilFeralGangrel]

the law doesn't exist to protect people, it exists to protect the state.

[@LuisSierra42]

Who watches the watchmen?

[@totally-not-lost]

"Serve and Protect" is a catchy moto not the polices job

[@aaronleverton4221]

@@totally-not-lost There was a time it was an enforceable mission statement. That time was ended by the US Supreme Court.

[@brettstarks1846]

How TF does a judge with multiple drunk driving incidents manage to remain on the bench? If I had multiple DUIs, I’d have a hard time getting a job as a McDonald’s manager.

[@leadpaintchips9461]

Small town politics.

[@Mari_Oh]

Different laws for wealthy, privileged people.

[@ElmshornBoy]

Reason is Trump.

[@TheModdedwarfare3]

​@@ElmshornBoyI'm a big fan of orange man bad but this one seems a bit of a stretch my man.

[@chrisl4999]

Move to a small town. Make friends.

[@greatboniwanker]

"Chief" Cody needs to be prosecuted; 1) cops don't seek out victims, police chiefs don't run cases, 2) his primary motivation in creating this spurious case was a personal vedetta against the reporter/paper, 3) a woman died because of the criminal actions he chose to take.

[@MrAlbinoYuu]

To the third point especially, what he did comes under the literal definition of a Felony Murder Charge, somebody died because of his criminal actions and the blame for that falls on the criminal(s). To not take a very close look at this man would be an injustice for that poor woman.

[@MisakaMikotoDesu]

If you hate this country so much why don't you leave for communist China or Russia?

[@clarafedde8674]

Yeah...No. I'm not joking, many law enforcement officers who get caught, doing actually worse than this guy, mostly ended up fired or slap on the wrist. I know one sheriff back in 2000ish with close to 10 million dollars of drugs in his private vehicle. State Troopers investigated and he was fired, and about 10 years later, he ran for sheriff again. He lost, but will try again. Another one beat his wife multiple times, last time almost killed her. He was just sent out of state, still employed. Maybe, I'm sure he's not now, but still that is justice for you

[@MisakaMikotoDesu]

@@clarafedde8674 They were likely democratically elected to be the sheriff. Even criminals are allowed to run for office, that's part of what makes America the greatest nation that has ever existed.

[@dancooperish]

America is weird. Law enforcement requires no qualifications, and appears to have no accountability for their actions. No wonder it's an attractive career to exactly the sorts of people who should never have authority.

[@Captain_Pudding]

It makes you wonder, how many people in that town's rights were violated for the police to feel so confident in their ability to get away with it, that they'd perform a daytime raid on a newspaper.

[@vaska00762]

Corporate needs you to work out the difference between this Sheriff and the Hong Kong Police

[@seitisetsoh4991]

That was my thought, he definitely felt he was "superior" to the locals

[@Tiiik-jp5ch]

I imagine that some of the reason for the daytime raid was for intimidation purposes :(

[@wilson2455]

like the judge/magistrate who rubber stamped the 'take anything you want' search warrant without an ounce due process, facts, evidence, etc !!

[@zenkim6709]

This is the ugly side of "small town life" that conservatives don't like to talk or think about: when everyone in the mayor's office, police dept., courthouse et al knows each other to the point where they're (practically) nextdoor neighbors, it becomes far too easy for them to collude with each other in an effort to consolidate & concentrate power, so much so that they essentially form a miniature dictatorship. Remember the Edgar Wright comedy "Hot Fuzz"? Yeah, it's like that ... minus the humor & entertainment value.

[@janeweber8654]

"Not all cops are bastards!!!" No, just enough that an entire police department blatantly violated one of the most high profile articles from the constitution without thinking twice.

[@XXMatt0040XX]

A pig becomes a cop when they speak up first, and loudly. The cop saying "Don't release the dog," that was the last good cop I've seen. None of those pigs around him count, they were quiet, and they only spoke when he did. They didn't care about the victim, they cared about their jobs. Pigs first. Cops second.

[@FirstIsa]

It makes a bit more sense if you look at what most police officer training entails- and then compare it to the indoctrination cults subject people to.

[@majuuorthrus3340]

Cops who aren't bastards either become bastards by complict silence, or they don't remain cops.

[@kellidinit3725]

One bad apple don’t spoil the whole bunch. Yes it will if not removed.

[@Nilruin]

@@kellidinit3725 Looks like these ones aren't going to be removed. What does that make the rest of the department if not already spoiled? Seems to be a common occurrence in most departments. Maybe the bunch is a bit older than we all thought.

[@vercoda9997]

And not one of the law officials stood up and said This Is Illegal. Shameful.

[@SiqueScarface]

That's the job of the courts. You should never prematurely admit guilt. Same goes for officials who might liable to the taxpayers for admitting guilt (and making the taxpayer foot the bill), if later a court finds otherwise.

[@ReddestRosa]

ACAB

[@jamesbaxter222]

@@SiqueScarfaceI think the op means prior to a search warrant being filed with the court.

[@SiqueScarface]

@@jamesbaxter222 Still, if you prematurely admit guilt as an official, you might be liable for damage, if a court later finds otherwise.

[@janaejoaodosacramento9731]

@@SiqueScarface the part where they trew the warant away because it was invalid kinda makes them "guilt"

[@ManiaMac1613]

The fact that a police officer in this country can just move to a different county and fully escape legal consequences for misconduct is infuriating.

[@owenthompson4071]

I absolutely believe that cops should be required to carry individual malpractice insurance like doctors get enough misconduct issues and the cost/ inability to secure insurance

[@blaacksugar7714]

Just like *another* organization.

[@LeCharles07]

@@owenthompson4071 Wow. That's actually genius.

[@zaffarismail1508]

@@owenthompson4071 docs get paid millions, cops get paid thousands. it's a good idea but less qualified people would choose to become cops and you'll end up crapping the bottom of the barrel more often.

[@hhhy9160]

Something people haven't come to realize, they have (for an unknown amount of time) accepted the lowest possible standards from people who claim to uphold their rights, for the perception of high standards and saftey "on demand". Bc realistically you've given them all the cards with no safeguards for yourself and others.

[@DoubleTrouble-li5wi]

An accidental repitition of the script at 8:55 and 9:29. Just a a heads up! Glad you covered this topic, the way that department acted was absolutely barbaric and they should be held criminally liable for their actions!

[@alexbistagne1713]

This

[@ImNotACatLawyerButIPlayOneOnTV]

He just wanted to make sure we were paying attention 😂

[@smth_witty]

Surprised that didn't get caught on a last watch-thru, it seems like its a duplicated/old clip in the timeline

[@chrisosborne4731]

I thought I was going crazy. Thanks for pointing this out!

[@matthewjohnson1055]

I thought i was going crazy or the matrix was glitching

[@rebbyberard8150]

Maybe it's because I just recently lost my grandmother last month, but the fact that the newspaper owner had to spend her last full day alive dealing with a police raid makes me want to cry

[@darkavenger5655]

The sheriff's defence is insane. "My other corrupt bodies agreed I could violate the first ammendment so it's all good."

[@joeshmoe7485]

A judge with "several DUI" on their record should lose their job as a judge. It displays a severe lack of 'good judgement' to choose to drive drunk on multiple occasions.

[@_Twink]

Also he's probably at the very least buzzed at work

[@NarffetWerlz]

"Man, I _really_ don't want anyone learning what a dirt bag I was at my old job. Here, let me start a fiasco that ends with _international coverage,_ thus fixing the problem!"

[@Pushing_Pixels]

Local cops generally aren't the brightest.

[@Hawk7886]

​@@Pushing_Pixelsthe local part is a bit redundant tbf

[@kkupsky6321]

How do u type italics? Haha

[@Amaritudine]

​​@@kkupsky6321Add an underscore at the start and end of the text you want in italics. __Like this.__

[@johnl6176]

@@kkupsky6321 Italic text generators.

[@stevesmith9447]

Lol. "I consulted with other law enforcement entities" is a really slick way of asking your old buddies "Can I get away with this?"

[@dinklebob1]

"Everyone else on the SC told me that I didn't need to report bribes, which makes it cool, right? Right?"

[@vercoda9997]

I work in a newspaper, and there's no way there's any excuse to raid a paper - a rare exception Might be if it was of national importance, but even then it would be National agents and forces wbo did so, not the local PC Plod. It's alarming that none of the officers stood up and said the raid was illegal and would draw down consequences on the force.

[@dinklebob1]

@@vercoda9997 So true. The biggest red flag to me was the judge! How does a judge sign off on that? Insanity.

[@wadespencer3623]

@@vercoda9997 I mean that's the thing, they thought there wouldn't be any consequences. Cause they never are.

[@SuprousOxide]

And even when they all said "No, you can't do that" He did it anyway

[@nigelkirk3103]

Considering Cody had a Bachelor of Science in information technology, he absolutely should have known that you don't need to commit identity theft to look up driving records.

[@MalikEmmanuel]

If this is true…

[@nigelkirk3103]

@@MalikEmmanuelI'm going by what was on his LinkedIn page, under the assumption the profile was legit.

[@reolabranch]

​@MalikEmmanuel It's true. You can also look up criminal records 😮

[@MalikEmmanuel]

@@reolabranch lol, my surprise is about the idea of him having a degree in IT

[@aaronmontgomery2055]

​@MalikEmmanuel it's really easy and means nothing. Its likely he has no certs and just has no real info. He probably got his degree from a 3rd rate school.

[@ravenwillowhart4501]

This story struck very close to home and I'm glad Devin is covering it. My maternal grandmother was the dispatcher for the sheriff's office in Marion County for years. My mother grew up there. I've been in the town and county many times over my childhood and teen years. Someone else has mentioned it already, but small towns like this can get very insular, sometimes to the point nearly everyone is related to everyone else either by birth or marriage. It can make things, difficult (to put it mildly) to conduct any business, whether in law enforcement or in the private sector, that actually follows the rules. There can be a tendency by some organizations, public or private, to cut corners, and ignore things they don't like from "outside" the community, even if that outside entity is the State or Federal government.

[@thejimmydanly]

As someone who helps run a small local investigative newspaper myself, this story made me sick to my stomach when it first broke. I'm used to receiving threatening letters from those in power who don't like our reporting, but the idea of having our homes and offices raided is just unthinkable. Rest in peace, Joan.

[@leonfa259]

Offside encrypted backup and encrypted IT in general sound like a good idea in your newspaper.

[@leigha2814]

As someone who grew up in and still works in a small town- small towns are the worst. It's almost impossible to fix corruption in them normally, and if there is any sort of drama it gets blown out because everyone is bored, petty and there's no anonymity. Like this sounds like it is mostly drama between exes and then two women, and instead the cops made it international news. And thankfully the cops and the 🥂judge made it such a scandal, this trash town might be forced to change.

[@Redbeardian]

Agreed. The mayor of my city used tax money to build a permanent outdoor patio onto his restaurant under "city beautification", which is usually planting a tree, artwork, etc. No one here cares at all as far as I can tell.

[@gabrieldominguezcuevas4223]

Oh you live here in Cambria???

[@ToMPaSHKoV]

The thing is, the 2nd amendment, if you posit that it is meant to defend against government tyranny, could be applied to these small town police departments.

[@decaydjk8922]

@@Navi_xoo Nice fascist propaganda.

[@kingofhearts3185]

​@@decaydjk8922There’s nothing fascist about that. He just said big cities have crime and homeless problems (places like LA definitely do) and small towns have petty, corrupt officials as we see here. Where's the fascism?

[@diydame7163]

Having been born in a small town, this is exactly how this stuff goes. Everyone knows everyone else and law enforcement and the court system is completely based on bias.

[@bizjetfixr8352]

In small town America, there is always an inbred "ruling clique" that runs the place. Usually an amalgam of business owners, cops, judges, sometimes members of the biggest local church, and other courthouse residents. Whose primary job seems to be covering each other's azzez. As none of these people think that a police state is a bad thing, as long as the police aren't after them, small town departments are the refuges for a lot of big city cops who have run into problems with "big city" regulations. Small town people truly believe that big city problems exist because the cops are not allowed to bust heads arbitrarily. Then add the fact that small town cops don't have much to do, giving them plenty of time to harass people, especially anyone creating problems for them. I've lived most of my life in Kansas. The state (outside of Wyandotte, Johnson, and Sedgewick counties) is run pretty much the same way as small town government, by wannabe fascists. Doesn't surprise me he could call the state government, and be told that raiding a newspaper and seizing everything in sight was AOK. It's funny, but I was able to bring up the Kansas court record of me ex-wifes new Husband with just a name and city (not even a street address). It's stupid for them to claim it was obtained illegally.

[@xenoscry]

From small town Texas myself. You are spot on. Cops act like the law doesn't apply to them... because they don't. ACAB

[@cjwrightmusic]

I love that this channel is equal parts legal education for laymen and really solid journalism

[@Grazui]

If this officer doesn't end up in jail for this, then there isn't justice in this garbage state

[@dracorex426]

What made you believe in justice?

[@normansim5497]

@@dracorex426literally 😂 hes waking up I think

[@wilson2455]

don't forget the judge/magistrate who rubber stamped the 'sure, take anything you want' search warrant without an ounce of legal due process, etc !!

[@KnakuanaRka]

Or at least nowhere near enough.

[@millerjimd]

Glad to see this covered. Journalism is the 4th check and balance on our government.

[@Goblinkatie]

Well, it should be. Unfortunately the journalists seem to be getting replaced by editorialists.

[@WhatWillYouFind]

With how much is gated by daddy google and big brother microsoft and their ilk, I'm surprised this story broke at all. The filtered nature of modern internet viewing makes me angry every time I remember how bad it has gotten.

[@olorin3815]

@@WhatWillYouFind well it only happened cuz its small town and noone gave enough fks to pay google for it

[@Sonny_McMacsson]

What is the whole list? It's longer than four.

[@yournamehere4790]

The Civil Rights Lawyer was covering this since day one.

[@gbprime2353]

That is why experienced officers move to podunk towns for half the salary... they got caught doing something bad. But either they "did it to the bad guys" or the locals don't care about the crime itself (like not believing the woman's side of the story). Blue wall.

[@tiffanysandmeier4753]

He was caught, but he left before they could fire him. Sadly, things like sexual harassment don't always reach the point where something illegal happens, and if he leaves, there aren't many consequences unless things were to be made public, i.e. a newspaper publishes about his past misconduct. That is how many abusers get away with abuse. Communication is better than in times past, but silence is how these types get away with these things.

[@myrrhis01]

Ok, practically, shouldn't a search warrant be something that CANNOT BE RESCINDED???? I mean, either there IS sufficient evidence or there isn't. If there wasn't sufficient evidence, than simply rescinding the warrant isn't enough. It was issued illegally, and someone needs to pay.

[@raygunsforronnie847]

@@Fantredath Counsel for the newspaper claims their computer forensics expert has determined that some of the digital assets taken under the warrant were copied or cloned while in custody. My personal guess is Cody wanted to see what dirt the paper really had on himself, and the whole liquor license/DUI data base case was the smoke screen, willingly abetted by the judge and major.

[@iandonnelly6684]

@@Fantredath you’re not far off. Do you remember over the summer the little girl that was kidnapped. When the car was stopped the police shot her like 30 times as she tried to run from her kidnapper (her dad). The cops got off scotch free bc apparently she “could have been holding a weapon”

[@badgercdlyons]

I got the impression from the video that the cops went directly to the judge, skipping the district attorney's office entirely and it was the DA who later applied to rescind the warrant. Almost as if they would have gotten shot down if they actually went to him with the evidence they had. So they did an end run to a friendly judge.

[@Pushing_Pixels]

That drunk driving judge should've noticed there was insufficient evidence before issuing the warrant. I doubt she even read the application. She should be culpable if the warrant was never justified.

[@fssstyuniaf]

Imagine getting a job as a judge with multiple DUI convictions. To work in a position of such power your record should be squeaky clean. No exceptions. No 'they were young and stupid'.

[@icanenglish5894]

Rest in peace. She stood her ground. I hope her family gets justice

[@TheRussellStover]

Yeah. It's very interesting that a Judge would sign off on a search warrant with so little information on a possible crime with a newspaper of all places. That house of cards needs to fall down.

[@thedave1771]

Chief Wiggum: I've got everything I need to convict your boy, except for motive, means, and opportunity. Lou: You also have no evidence. Chief Wiggum: That's implied.

[@johnladuke6475]

Keep up the good work Lou, you'll make Sergeant for this!

[@Mrtfarrugia]

​@johnladuke6475 if you keep that up Lou and I'll have you busted down to Sargeant.

[@Cogpuncher]

Cops breaking the law? Noooo. You're kidding?! I'm shocked.

[@macgyvervanschwartzenstall4662]

I think he is serious

[@iandonnelly6684]

@@macgyvervanschwartzenstall4662 you sweet summer child. Op is being sarcastic. The police do not exist to protect people. Only capital. They are incredibly corrupt on all levels.

[@__carmine]

​@macgyvervanschwartzenstall4662 it's sarcasm

[@shaggycan]

US police, especially in smaller towns are barely and badly trained.

[@thexalon]

What's worse is that often, they're acting unjustly *without* breaking the law. For an example, see Afroman and the saga of "Would you help me repair my door?"

[@happyninja42]

"It's almost hard to believe" No, no it's not. Police overreach is entirely expected at this point. They've established a LOT of precedent for it over the years.

[@LoudWaffle]

Yeah the only thing I would find hard to believe is a police department that's actually clean, upholds the consitution, and serves and protects their region. I'd need a lot of convincing to believe even one of them exists out there.

[@mallninja9805]

It's funny, he's like "it's hard to believe!"....24 minutes of stuff..."Of course, it's gonna be hard to overcome qualified immunity..." That's why it's not hard to believe. Homey knows he's untouchable.

[@the83rdtrombonist60]

And the Police Unions are absolutely a major cause of it

[@faceoctopus4571]

Well, at least the "hard to believe" was lessened by being preceded by the word "almost"

[@XXMatt0040XX]

I remember being maybe 16... Seeing a cop execute someone. I can't remember what, but the dude was drunk, unarmed, not a threat. The pig's rifle had *THE PUNISHER'S* logo engraved into it. He proceeded to play what was the most sick game of... Simon Says... The guy was crying, begging... And then he fell over and his pants went down. Then he went to pull up his pants. He was executed at that moment.

[@Lorrieboi]

Brother, please bring more police corruption into light. They can get away with crimes and misconduct because of qualified immunity. This need to change

[@lindabarrett5631]

This case should go national to draw attention to this fraudulent activity and call out this sheriff and everyone involved in this, including the judge. We hold these people to a higher standard, and they should be held accountable.

[@kimberley1449]

It did go national and most of America knows about it. Unfortunately the msm has not kept up with it!!!

[@robertbridges2378]

National > It went interplanetary and now Mars will attack

[@FirstLast-cg2nk]

The first rule of investigative journalism: If someone is threatening to sue, they're hiding something and you're on the right track.

[@SM-nz9ff]

LOL yeah sure buddy tell that to all the people who got sued for defamation. Because YOU, oh yes YOU the glory that is YOU can't be wrong about something.

[@chesspiece4257]

@@SM-nz9ffif you’re wrong on accident it isn’t defamation. so if you’re not *trying* to defame them, and they’re accusing you of it for asking questions, then you’re asking the right questions

[@kieranelliott5607]

When seeing this on Nebula, it was scary to think of how many abuses like this do not get picked up so widely, and how even when it does how little may well happen in most cases. A lot of room for bullies and petty local tyrants to hold sway.

[@oldvlognewtricks]

First time learning about the police?

[@kieranelliott5607]

I try not to think about it. Too depressing.@@oldvlognewtricks

[@andrewjuby6339]

It made it big, I think, because the owner is a former journalism professor who retired to run his hometown newspaper. He knows his rights, has the passion to make it a fight, the skills to get the word out, and the free time to pursue this as far as he wants.

[@Thunterise]

Only when seeing it on Nebula? Why not here?

[@FromMyXP]

@@Thunterise Probably "when *first* seeing..." as the Nebula version comes up a few days earlier

[@rosco3]

People need to be fired immediately What an abuse to raid a newspapper for personal gain

[@AnonymousAnarchist2]

fired? Out of a Canon maybe!

[@dinklebob1]

People need to be *charged*. Not immediately, per se, but in a timely manner. We need to hold those who abuse power accountable.

[@cajunguy6502]

Agreed! These localities who have run decades of corruption with no oversight need to be the focus of federal investigations.

[@rakeshmalik5385]

They need harsher penalties than merely losing their jobs.

[@XXMatt0040XX]

"Fired?" We have a constitution that gives us provisions for a failing government... The government has failed the people and are enacting tyrannical actions. It's long past the time for asking them to be fired.

[@elliottmcleandeboer]

Poor, poor Joan - it's so shameful that she had to endure that and, I assume, suffer so much stress/distress as a result that she passed away. If that was indeed contribute to her death, I hope a thorough investigation is undertaken and changes made. Love and strength to her family and friends ❤

[@Ieo9017]

Fun fact: the judge that signed the search warrant, Laura Viar, ALSO has a history of DUI along with local restaurant owner that seemingly has the judge and the police chief over a barrel.

[@edgarallenhoe3518]

I think it's less likely that the restaurant owner is behind the cops' behavior than that the police chief used her as a pawn to execute a personal vendetta.

[@reolabranch]

Yeah... that was well documented in this video @leo9017

[@deathroll69]

It's almost like 2 weeks of legal training isn't enough for police officers to understand the laws they're responsible for enforcing.

[@Pushing_Pixels]

How much legal training did the judge that issued the warrant have? She didn't know what she was doing either.

[@FirstIsa]

@@Pushing_Pixels in 22 states you can become a judge without having a law degree, or in some cases even a legal background simply by running for office. The states that allow that have a training course if your elected that might take a couple weeks.

[@tomfisher44]

The police chief had well over 20 years of on the job training in law enforcement. He should have known better.

[@Nilruin]

@@FirstIsa Kansas is one of the states where you don't need to be BAR certified to be a judge in any circuit. What a surprise.

[@enigmauniwar9166]

They are officers not lawyers or judges. They were not enforcing a law but a warrant issued by a judge. The root cause here I think is much deeper. Like how did it even get to that point? So many corrupt people on such high positions. Just how.

[@TheChestnutBowl]

Cops are so well protected by the justice system in America. It's ridiculous.

[@glynrh8892]

Honestly calling it a “justice” system is a complete joke. Don’t get me wrong, the British system isn’t worlds better but America is straight up dystopian

[@cyan_oxy6734]

Any country in Europe: Breaking the law in office enhances the crime as you abused state authority and you damage trust in the system. USA: Well as an officer you couldn't possibly know the law so we let you off the hook.

[@GeorgeWashingtonLaserMusket]

It's criminal, but they're immune so... the cycle continues. Citizens need to call their elected officials and get involved in these sorts of events.

[@TheSuzberry]

I propose that they are not protected by ‘justice’ but by the ‘legal system’ - which has nothing to do with justice.

[@Devilishlybenevolent]

We need to protect cops at all cost, who else is going to show up 20 mins after a crime and stand around?

[@Paradox-es3bl]

The law isn’t supposed to be above the law, either. This country is so screwed up.

[@BadxRacc00n]

I’m from Kansas and the amount of corruption in so many of our towns if staggering.. I am glad this is getting covered by you so a larger audience can see it.

[@SM-nz9ff]

The fact that you don't realize this is a human across the entire planet problem is kinda hilarious. Just shows how small minded so many people are. Doesn't matter the system, doesn't matter the country, doesn't matter communism or capitalism. Its going to happen and does/has happened throughout the entirely of human history.

[@Abba_Fan]

​@SM-nz9ff The fact that you think you are some kind a genius for pointing that out is hilarous. People are obviously talking about SCALE of corruption, it is different in each community and the local media's job is to highlight the scale of how deep the corruption runs in the locality.

[@thomasfutch7707]

It isn't just Kansas. We have it in Georgia too.

[@MegaKemper]

This happened a few counties over, and the more I find out the more complicated the situation gets. While the paper isn't quite as innocent as they portray themselves, you just can't go in and bust the paper down.

[@badcatloafing7448]

I had heard that the cops confiscated all recording devices from the home, including their Alexa. Meaning when the mom fell the next day, she didn't have her voice-activated device to call for help. Not sure if that's true, but would that qualify for wrongful death?

[@thomasbecker9676]

Law enforcement moving to different jobs to avoid consequences needs to stop. *That* should be a priority for the police union(s).

[@bowietwombly5951]

lol police unions exist solely to keep reforms like that from happening. They are there to line cops pockets, allow any abuses of power they want, and to stop all efforts at reform. Basically every anti-union talking point capitalists use are true, but only about the one union they actively support.

[@calebschmucker4698]

What incentive does the police union have to do public good? We need to start taking financial penalties out of the police pension fund instead of the state budget to motivate them.

[@iandonnelly6684]

Police “unions”exist solely to prevent officers from being held accountable. Police are not workers. Calling their Fraternities Unions is inappropriate.

[@pastForgetting]

The police unions spend a lot of money defending police officers who commit crimes on the job. They are not a check on police misconduct.

[@johnschwartz1641]

Police unions exist to protect bad police.

[@erickcartman8758]

Police violating constitutional rights to avoid accountability and intimidating citizens while also protecting the criminals in their departments from prosecution. That is SHOCKING! 😂

[@lareolanKFP]

That's pretty much all the cops are nowadays. Criminals with a badge.

[@Rawnblade13]

​@@lareolanKFPThat's all cops have EVER been.

[@enotsnavdier6867]

​@@lareolanKFP They've never not been that. And unless the entire system is destroyed and remade from the ground up thats all it'll ever be.

[@erickcartman8758]

@lareolanKFP biggest gang/cartel in every city in America.

[@yoabnay]

Its quite scary that a legitimate deffense for police is to say "we did it with no bad intention, we are just utterly and completely incompetent". And the they can just go on and keep their jobs.

[@johnladuke6475]

I was hoping LE would cover this when I heard about the warrant shenanigans. I'm not surprised at one small-town cop pulling a stunt like this, but hadn't heard about the consultations with all the other law enforcement. It's a bit wild that none of them stopped to just review the actual facts of the allegations and the text of the applicable laws. If a youtube channel can explain it in 20 minutes, why can't a prosecutor, sherriff, state investigator, or _judge_ take the time to check the law?

[@charlessalzman4377]

I've been following this case. Thanks for digging in deep with some legal information about it. Qualified Immunity is such BS. "Ignorance of the law is never an excuse" is what we learned growing up, unless you're a cop ready to violate a persons constitutional rights, than ignorance is bliss.

[@SioxerNikita]

Qualified Immunity is kind of important to exist, to a degree, but it is being abused in the US to an extreme degree.

[@charlessalzman4377]

@SioxerNikita BS, they've abused it for too long. It needs to be stripped from them.

[@SioxerNikita]

@@charlessalzman4377I LITERALLY just says it has been ABUSED for too long, didn't I? Stripping it completely though? Might simply make the cops refuse to act in any situation that might be slightly dubious from a legal perspective on their side, which is not necessarily a good outcome either. What is it with a lot of people these days? It is always the extremes...

[@SioxerNikita]

@@charlessalzman4377This is the same argument that is used to try and strip 1st Amendment rights. "It has been abused for too long, it needs to be stripped!", you are aware of this, right? There are ways of dealing with it that does not mean to remove something, you are aware of this, right?

[@charlessalzman4377]

@@SioxerNikita this is way different than stripping a constitutional right. I assume you're aware of the difference.

[@shanehalstead2378]

Small town politics, law and justice never cease to amaze. FYI: At 9:31, the video loops back to the audio that starts at 8:56. New visuals, but same audio. Please be aware that old people like myself get easily confused and think we're either psychic or stuck in a time loop when things like this happen! :D

[@Mr_Top_Hat_Jones]

You’re not kidding. I thought I was losing it. 😂

[@onionbubs386]

Omg thank you, I thought my phone was glitching

[@stansbruv3169]

Thank God for the free press. Every town and village needs to support their local newspaper. Facebook gossip is NOT a replacement for the local newspaper.

[@elizabethsohler6516]

Very fair point.

[@Bacteriophagebs]

It would be if people had the slightest shred of brains required to fact-check what they see on social media, but they don't.

[@kalythai]

Facebook is where you get advice on snake oil and healing crystals. 0 percent of the time 100 percent of the time guaranteed results.

[@Somerandom1922]

I think the most horrible thing about this situation is that it's likely proved to many other officers that they can pull shit like this themselves, and they may be forced to resign, but will not face any legal consequences.

[@Vanreis]

It's incredible just how petty and pathetic the "gang" behind this whole ordeal is. It's literally just awful people supporting and enabling each other.

[@ebert311]

I live about 35 minutes away from this town. The phrase "I'm not surprised this happened" lacks the sarcasm that I really feel. The sense of power that some people in authority have is nearly criminal and I'm glad that a global sized spotlight was shined on this incident.

[@Pushing_Pixels]

They must've been really confident they would get away with it to do something this brazenly illegal, especially to a newspaper. I can only imagine how long they've been acting with impunity to feel that confident. Violating people's rights must be so completely normalised for them to not stop and question what they were doing. The most concerning thing to me is the judge that issued the warrant. She either couldn't tell or didn't bother to check if there was sufficient evidence to support it, but issued it anyway. Her actions should be more heavily scrutinised, because if she had competently performed her duty none of this would've happened.

[@stonestare6487]

If you live in McPherson, hold on another case is coming out soon

[@gregw1076]

How in the world does a police chief think that an investigation into them could be illegal? That is a public position, they serve the citizens, everything about their life should be public if they take that type of job. Most government employees realize this

[@culwin]

The police chief doesn't actually think it. Turns out you can just say stuff without believing it is true.

[@Owesomasaurus]

Typical cop entitlement mentality

[@TheMaskedFox288]

You're telling me my local cops' sex lives are public knowledge? Gross.

[@Owesomasaurus]

@@TheMaskedFox288 only if they sext on company equipment, then it becomes open to FOIA requests

[@nifty_biscuit]

​@@TheMaskedFox288local cops sex lives should be private. Local cops sex crimes should be public

[@thacrypt223]

Poor old woman. She probably died from the shock. May she rest in peace, and the guilty party face justice.

[@mshelnutt275]

she was murdered by them.

[@TheMikeyChaos]

So, the police chief who took a paycut following sexual misconduct allegations raided the office and home of the news publishers who asked him about it. Cool.

[@Actual_Real_Person]

The fact that things like this can happen is a sad reflection on our society

[@TheShannon2288]

You have to wonder WHY there's not a national database for the conduct of, and complaints against, the police.

[@crf1096]

Easy, there’s no money to be made that way.

[@TheAsvarduilProject]

Well, it'd work. Can't have that.

[@Locust13]

This should terrify everyone. This is the playbook to establish a police state. This has happened before historically, and the results are never good. Ever.

[@leadpaintchips9461]

TBF it has happened in the US's history too. Plenty of small town law enforcement 'keeping the peace' by running roughshod over anyone who decides not to toe _their_ line.

[@calvinthebold99]

All you need is American LEOs that are consumed with hatred for the foundational principles of this nation and nothing but contempt for its citizens.

[@elizabethsohler6516]

If Trump gets re-elected, we may see this in spades. He wants to establish a police state.

[@lordkameguru7851]

I mean welcome to America. This is the norm.

[@redeyesb.dragonite8562]

​@@lordkameguru7851This is absolutely not the norm, this was a sheriff in a tiny town.

[@xXsdsrcptcXx]

"it's almost impossible to believe" given how many police officers try to and DO arrest people who have done nothing but record them or public properties with minimal consequences, i'm not surprised this was the next step

[@Matt_The_Hugenot]

Press receives tip, can't verify, acts responsibly and doesn't publish, cops still go after them.

[@deadave100]

Our Fore Fathers warn us about this Standing Army. 1. End qualified immunity 2. Require Malpractice insurance. The more offenses the higher the cost to insure oneself. 3. Create a National Brady List, so LEO can’t just move and go to another city, county or state. End Gypsy Cops. 4. All incidents causing injury, especially lethal or requiring hospitalization, must be evaluated by independent outside Authority (federal perhaps) 5. Create a Federal code to follow like US Military UCMJ "The Uniform Code of Military Justice has Article 93 Failure to report an offence" 6. Any LEO that witnesses incident and does not report it is an accomplice. 7. Initiate frequent testing for drugs and steroid use with automatic discharge of failure. End steroid rage. 9. Train LEOs on the constitution and settled law regarding stops, ID, and searching. 10. Immediate termination for turning off cameras or falsifying reports!! I support law enforcement, but it needs to be cleaned up. It is a tough job and It should be difficult to get into. Screen applicants better.

[@pastForgetting]

Fun fact : The Marion County Record's subscriber list exploded after the raid and the publisher's mother dropped dead. We started subscribing. It's $49.99 a year. We live under the Kansas City Police occupation. They are under the control of a commission appointed by the governor of Missouri, not by our city government. They are a blue wall of silence when misconduct is discovered.

[@Pushing_Pixels]

The Governor's personal enforcers. I hope the city doesn't pay for them. That would be the same as paying the local mafia protection money.

[@pastForgetting]

@@Pushing_Pixels Actually yes, we do. The state mandates the minimum we KC taxpayers have to budget to our cops. It's 20 pct of the city budget. The KCPD is an unfunded state mandate. Also, our cops are state employees: a special unit of the Missouri Highway Patrol. We are under occupation.

[@dashcamandy2242]

As someone who delivers newspapers in another state, $50 a year is a FANTASTIC deal for home delivery. Around here, a paper that is mostly copy-and-paste articles from AP, WaPo, and NYT, from a newsroom that is STILL doing the work-from-home thing, runs you about $10 a month. And, if you're lucky, there will be TWO ads in the Sunday inserts. 🤣 Come to think of it, it's an amazing deal for a year of online-only access.

[@somedragonbastard]

​@@pastForgettingyou have to spend 20% MINIMUM on them??

[@pastForgetting]

@@somedragonbastard Yes.

[@bradleyard4195]

So much corruption and graft in such a tiny town. This genuinely doesn't surprise me.

[@ArcaneSorceror]

It honestly sounds like something about a mystery novel, huh?

[@jamesburk8145]

Small towns can often have even more corruption. Everyone basically knows each other, local grudges can get involved and there's way less official scrutiny going on toward public servants. Often cops who get fired or forced to resign in a larger jurisdiction will move to a smaller one where they can get away with more, probably what this Chief Cody did.

[@bradleyard4195]

@@jamesburk8145 Absolutely. There's a town near me where the mayor was embezzling city funds to pay for his gambling addiction. The FBI had to step in because the local police were actually helping to shield him from prosecution. It was like a B-movie comedy. He refused to resign and actually got re-elected while he was awaiting prosecution. Weird shit.

[@EvilGNU]

@@bradleyard4195 Ofc he got re-elected since probably all businessowners and thus employers in town are probably his BFFs and favors are given and returned.

[@leadpaintchips9461]

This is what the first amendment is supposed to protect against. Not to protect people's feelings or allow horrendous human beings to spread their hate. It's to stop the government from abusing it's power to silence its citizens.

[@jijonbreaker]

Technically, this is also what the second amendment is supposed to protect against. And the fourth.

[@pacmonster066]

​@@jijonbreakerNot what the second amendment is about. Will people ever acknowledge the half of that amendment that talks about a "well regulated militia" and not every person is allowed a firearm with the intent of rebellion whenever. 4th amendment about illegal search and seizure is more like it.

[@MisakaMikotoDesu]

It actually protects all of the above.

[@MisakaMikotoDesu]

@@pacmonster066 "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." This VERY CLEARLY saying that a militia is necessary to the security of the state, therefore THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed. Even a child could understand what is being conveyed here, so please stop spreading misinformation.

[@MisakaMikotoDesu]

@@pacmonster066 "The Constitution shall never be construed to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms." Samuel Adams, Massachusetts Ratifying Convention, 1788

[@CrunchyFrog09]

11:21 "Crimes, question mark?" I'm dead

[@BSpinoza210]

The cops just wanted a list of names of informants that they could intimidate. The rest is gravy, especially considering that there are no consequences for those enforcing the law that don't abide by what they know to be the law. Now, all their sources have either fled the state, or worse, and there's no restitution for the paper that pointed out these shortcomings that apparently got under the skin of some of these public servants.

[@mystic-malevolence]

"Everyone else said it'd be okay" just makes it sound like everyone else is crooked too, chief

[@kleioslibrary5451]

Yet another news story about small town corruption and bullying I can add to my play list of “Videos to play when my friends blast “Try That In A Small Town” on the radio.” The list now includes: - the new homeowner harassed and threatened into withdrawing charges against the town’s high school senior class for breaking into his home and using his pool to celebrate their graduation (organized by the mayor’s son, mind) - the woman who bought property in North Carolina to build her dream home only to have her neighbors threaten the construction crew with guns then build a deer hunting shed on the property and have the local judge sign the land over to them because they ”had a building on it for ages.” - the veteran who was jailed after he was prescribed medical marijuana by a local doctor for his PTSD and then turned over to the police by that same doctor claiming the man was was a drug dealer because “real soldiers” don’t get PTSD And - the town that refused to hook up water and power to a new homeowner’s house because he and his family did not attend the local church but drove out of town to one of their denomination.

[@thelittleredhairedgirlfrom6527]

Damn I feel horrible for all these people, especially the veteran

[@leadpaintchips9461]

Do you have any links to those videos/articles? Good to have some proof that I can show some of my family members when they decide to pull that off.

[@eyesofthecervino3366]

Yikes! I knew my family had a hard time when we moved to a small town, but this honestly makes it sound like we got off easy.

[@LoudWaffle]

@@leadpaintchips9461 KZbin doesn't allow links in comments, you'll have to just google keywords to find them.

[@kevindunn2663]

Nonsense. crime only exists in big democratic cities

[@anna9072]

Oh, trust me, they had a reason. Just one they weren’t willing to put down in black and white.

[@demoncat5322]

what

[@Xerou]

​@@demoncat5322 It means that they were to write down their actual reason for searching that they would be arrested themselves, as it would be illegal and not subject to probable cause for a warrant

[@vcool]

The corrupt judge who signed the warrant (without substantial supporting evidence) needs to be fired and also charged.

[@mrlox9576]

Cop announces; "You are not above the law!", Followed by a mumbled; "But we are!". Cancelling the warrant after executing it is like shooting someone then saying "I'll just take that bullet back and we'll pretend this never happened". Too late, the damage has been done. It's bullsh|t. Clearly the elderly lady was very stressed and passed away the next day. Unless they can bring her back from the dead, the cops need to be held accountable for that at the very least, and be sued for emotional damages. Don't even get me started on things going missing from the raid. That can of worms is way to common!

[@be8420]

I want to impress on everyone just how small of a town Marion is to be getting this much national attention!

[@Xerou]

I guess you could say they tried that in a small town?

[@john2g1]

​@@Xerouand normally they get away with it... Which is why they tried it in a small town. Here's an interesting question: the 98 year old died. If anyone is convicted or even charged with a felony, can everyone be brought up on felony murder too? I know what you're thinking: That's not how felony murder works. Except it is... More than once non violent felony criminals received felony murder convictions because one of the criminals was shot by THE POLICE! That's right literally no one would have died had the police not shot someone, and yet the friends of the deceased caught murder charges. I am against felony murder as a legal instrument, but by all means apply it here.

[@Poppa_Capinyoaz]

Then press, HOW SMALL IS IT?

[@bunkertons]

​@@Xerouah haaaaa. 😂

[@fredgarvinism]

Sure but are there any non-corrupt sheriff departments in the flint hills? Bound to happen sooner or later.

[@Cragun.]

So the law in a small town thinks they can do whatever they want, shocker.

[@Akkatlah]

Looks like an episode of Knight Rider or The Highway man😮

[@faceoctopus4571]

What's with the small town detail? You think this doesn't happen in cities?

[@julietfischer5056]

@@faceoctopus4571- Read some of the other comments. Small towns are often under the control of a handful of people and institutions who run them like personal fiefdoms. Personal disagreements easily blow up into brouhahas that involve police and the courts. There are reasons why 'corrupt small-town law enforcement' is a trope.

[@pteroid11]

@@faceoctopus4571It’s a storied canard that small towns are somehow inherently more virtuous than the big bad crime ridden cities.

[@lawrencescales9864]

@@faceoctopus4571because tiny towns have a reputation for getting bad cops who couldn’t get away with their crap in major cities, and having lived in a small town, I can say everyone knows each other, which can tangle up personal grudges and gossip in local government affairs. The city is just as corrupt, but it has a lot more regulation, scrutiny, and importantly, you don’t know anyone.

[@asimpletune]

The part where Chief Cody defends himself by saying he "included multiple layers of law enforcement" (and none raised any objections) sort of reminds me of when you eat your roommate's food, by saying out loud to your other roommates that you're going to do it. Even better if you can get some of them to eat a little bit of the food too.

[@mitchellhorton9382]

Didn't that email from the County Attorney say there wasn't enough evidence

[@the_last_ballad]

​@mitchellhorton9382 yes, but was that one of the innitially inquired agencies?

[@jordeahgrosko]

As someone from KC im glad you made a video on this. Heartbreaking that she died after the search

[@xZipkan]

Also, the old lady who passed had her Alexa taken as evidence too, and she passed 2 days after her home was raided. If she would've had the Alexa there may still be a chance that she could still be alive today because she could've called for help if she would've been able to.

[@ecpracticesquad4674]

Speaking as someone from KS... Don't mess with small town cops. Unfortunately, they are pretty well known for "protecting" their own.

[@Bare_Essence]

This is such a weird case. Frustrating that there will likely be little to no repercussions other than possibly a civil suit. The fact that freedom of the press was violated here hopefully busts through qualified immunity. As you always say ... "It depends".

[@ghijkmnop]

This is being covered by multiple sources, including the Stuff They Don't Want You to Know podcast, and attorney Steve Lehto on KZbin. That said, this is the deepest examination of this case I've heard/seen. Great job, Devin! Also, I hope the newspaper's owner is successful in suing the Sheriff's Office for their role in his (admittedly ancient) mother's death.

[@twistysunshine]

I don't think they'll be able to succeed there. They'd essentially have to prove she wouldn't have died without the stress, something practically impossible. I have seen cases where people were driven to su cide and they were not able to convict bc in theory the person could have chosen not to die that way... I agree that they did kill her. Just think there's no way they'll legally be able to do anything about it

[@z.s.7992]

Those cops should be sued. That should be criminal. Those things can ruin lives

[@payableondeath7]

As someone that lives in KS I can tell you this situation was reported very differently, it made it seem like the bar owner was using connections to kill the newspaper

[@BradTheProducer]

2:46 - "Why'd you kick him out?" "For their reporting!" Saying the quiet part out loud.

[@joemalo5335]

I laugh whenever I see a "Support our police" political sign. As long as they have qualified immunity they have all the support they'll ever need

[@Pushing_Pixels]

Nothing encourages police corruption like qualified immunity, except maybe police unions.

[@BlitzkriegOmega]

"Support our police" is basically just a dogwhistle at this point.

[@SatyreIkon]

US police is equivalent to an occupying army, period. At this point they do more harm than good. I am shocked what they can get away with legally, it just screams "misuse your power now!"

[@declaringpond2276]

​@@BlitzkriegOmegaIt's also a dumb statement, LA's police department gets 5 billion dollars a year. What more do they want???

[@AgFalcon84]

Whenever I see one of those, I mentally add "Yeah, we get it. You're racist!"

[@lordraiden007]

Was wondering when this would get covered. Disgusting behavior on the part of all involved officials. I hope they face severe consequences.

[@alastairthegreat2887]

Probably zero consequences with qualified immunity.

[@ZoeAlleyne]

Um, YES to this big platforming of small town shenanigans. Because damn, can the small town law get away with a lot because there is no spotlight.

[@jeremychambers1949]

I as a civilian I can’t get a CDL if Ive been convicted of DUI. In some cases I can’t get a license to operate certain businesses. However you can become a judge after getting two DUIs in one year? Wtf.

[@anniestarlight]

Every time I see a story like this, the moral I take away from it is that if you want to call out someone with power like the police for illegal activities, or are calling out a corporation for illegal activities that could dramatically affect their bottom line, you *really* should do so as anonymously as possible Because if there is something linking back to you as the whistleblower, it seems like they'll always wield their power to enact vengeance on you, whether legally justified or not

[@lukajolich7669]

I also just think about the fact you rarely have any real recourse if they harm you. Courts will so often side with the police and even when they do side against them, it's so freaking tame compared to what they did and the cops usually have some way to still get out of punishment.

[@southernfriedwestcoaster]

I had been hoping for you to cover this case Devin. Journalism is what keeps democracy alive.

[@carter358]

The judge and the magistrate, too?? Two DUIs each? Damn, is anyone in that town sober? I can understand screwing up once and getting a DUI. I got one when I was a,stupid 21 year old. It was exactly one week after they lowered it from .10 to .08. I blew a .08, so they got me. It cost me about $5K in fines and fees, restricted my license for a year to drive to work only,, insurance went through the roof, and it's permanently on my record. I applied for a job 2 years later, and it prevented me from getting that job!! And this judge has two and gets to keep hers??? After going through all of that hell, I would not drink one sip of beer and drive! These people, court officials, each have two DUI's? Something tells me they didn't have to face any real consequences the first time off they would have learned something.

[@JoshuaTootell]

Just a sign of poor judgment making. I have a coworker with (at least one) DUI on his record, he still occasionally drinks a beer on his way home from work. Through his own self admission.

[@abigailrhodes4231]

I don't understand how, in so many departments, "law enforcement" - people charged with *enforcing the law*, fundamentally stewards of the law - seem so completely unbothered to actually know ...the law. And not just the minutiae or technicalities of local infractions, but like big stuff... like constitutionally protected rights.

[@ComboBreakerHD]

Thank you for reminding everyone including myself of this. Glad you covered this and offered an update.

[@cksupreme]

Not seeing anyone talking about the poor old gal Joan who likely died of stress the very next day after the fraudulent search of her home- pretty freaking heartbreaking to think she might have lived another few years if not for that.

[@ticotube2501]

Sad she passed away. In a Hollywood tale, the defiant old lady would be standing tall (sort of) with a smile when Jamie Foxx flies in to save the day and sue the Sheriffs ass.

[@Nereosis16]

He mentions it multiple times in the video.

[@henryeowens]

Thanks for bringing this to light. Small town governments are often unduly insulated from accountability without wider public scrutiny.

[@rosenia5409]

I feel so horrible for the grandmother, thanks for covering this LegalEagle!! ❤

[@blackjesus804]

Her death probably was the shocking factor that made the case blow up though. She died for the 1st and 4th amendments.

[@emsleywyatt3400]

@@blackjesus804 She should get an award.

[@kehlcassidy9562]

I'm a bit confused about what actually happened here... So, a restaurant owner's ex husband called the newspaper with some nasty information about her. The newspaper investigated and confirmed said information, but decided NOT to print it. (So how was it made public and why is she suing?) The chief of police had beef with the paper and...? Used the whole restaurant owner thing as a pretext to harass them? Something about a judge with two DUIs? I'm just not quite following how this all ties together.

[@novalinnhe]

In both instances, the newspaper approached the person in question for comment. So for example - with the restaurant owner, as part of their research into the anonymous tip-off, they approached her to discuss what their paper had been sent and verify the claims with her. This is very normal in journalism, because you want to hear both sides of a story before publishing it. This is how the restaurant owner, and the corrupt police chief (who was previously investigated for sexual misconduct), knew that the newspaper was currently investigating them. The answer to your question about whether the police chief raided the newspaper due to a vendetta against them is: yes. That's exactly what happened. The judge with the DUIs is involved because she signed off on the search warrants which the corrupt police officer presented to the court. The information that she had DUIs is more "interesting" than anything else - it's not directly related to the story. However, it's useful information to know because it shows that the judge also has a criminal history (specifically with DUIs), potentially demonstrating bias in how they chose to handle this case. Hope this little explainer helps! (Or helps anyone else who had the same questions. 😊)