I came across this news report via Eschaton, and it seemed that the least I could do for the Marion Record in response to such a bloodcurdling, last-gasp cry for help is reconstruct the events described in Marion, KS in chronological order.
edit: Here’s The Guardian’s take.
The events seem to be as follows:
- Kari Newell, dipshit and future “Marion business owner”, loses her driver’s license (has it suspended) as a result of a DUI conviction in 2008.
- Kari Newell has a series of other driving convictions and is not legally permitted to drive.
- Some time in more recent history, Kari Newell begins a bitter and acrimonious divorce.
- During the divorce proceedings, there is some dispute about who gets the cars. At some point, the question of Kari Newell’s driving record apparently arises.
- An anonymous tipster may or may not have used a state web site to verify that Kari Newell had a ‘drunken-driving history’. There is apparently a consent form on the state web site that requires a legal commitment to not disseminate the information.
- The anonymous tipster uses social media to notify Marion vice mayor Ruth Herbel and Marion Record reporter Phyllis Zorn of Kari Newell’s drunken-driving history.
- Phyllis Zorn uses the same state web site to verify Kari Newell’s drunken-driving history. She also completes the consent form, but does not plan to disseminate the information.
- At some point, Ruth Herbel shares the information with city administrator Brogan Jones, because Newell was appearing before some meeting of city officials for her application for a catering liquor license, and the drunken-driving history might be disqualifying.
- Newell gets wind of the skeleton in her closet becoming known to others during the city council meeting on August 7, and “accused the Record of illegally obtaining her drunken-driving information and supplying it to Herbel”.
- The Marion police raid the Joan Meyer’s (co-owner of the Marion Record) and Ruth Herbel’s homes at the same time.
- “A two-page warrant signed by Magistrate Laura Viar was given to the record at the time of the search… The warrants alleged there was probable cause to believe that identity theft and unlawful computer acts had been committed involving [Newell].”
- “Marion police chief Gideon Cody forcibly grabbed reporter Deb Gruver’s personal cell phone out of her hand, reinjuring one of her fingers, which had previously been dislocated.”
- “Joan Meyer’s ability to stream TV shows at her home and to get help through her Alexa smart speakers were taken away with the electronics.”
- “Law enforcement also seized a computer and a cell phone from Herbel’s home on Friday morning. Herbel, 80, who does not have a land-line phone, later drove to McPherson to purchase a replacement phone so she could remain in contact in case of problems with her 88-year-old husband, who is disabled suffers from dementia.”
- Four computers used by the newspaper were also seized, making it impossible for the newspaper to function.
- “A Record reporter later requested a copy of the probably cause affidavit necessary for issuance of the search warrant. District court, where such items are supposed to be filed, issued a signed statement saying no affidavit was on file.”
- “[Joan Meyer] had not been able to eat after police showed up at the door of her home Friday with a search warrant in hand. Neither was she able to sleep Friday night.”
- Joan Meyer, who had otherwise been in good health, collapsed Saturday afternoon and died at her home. She was 98 years old.
Signal boost request