Marion, Kansas Newspaper Raid Postscript: Judge Connection & Consequences

Truth be told . . . It's kinda surprising how quickly we lost interest in this story.

However . . . There's still a bit more interesting tidbits to share and the punchline here might be that taxpayers will fund the drama long after the cameras are gone . . . Check-it . . .

Legal experts say that could mean the small city government of Marion — a central Kansas town of roughly 2,000 — owing the newspaper a big-time payout. Similar civil lawsuits surrounding police violence have resulted in settlements ranging from hundreds of thousands of dollars to millions of dollars.

That could be the outcome even if the police drop their criminal investigation, which now seems possible after prosecutors returned the seized items to the newspaper after days of widespread criticism.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

A Kansas town's taxpayers may have to pay up after police raided its newspaper

The police raid on the Marion County Record potentially violated federal law and constitutional rights. It could leave taxpayers covering a big legal settlement.

Kansas judge who signed off on 'Gestapo-style' raid of small-town newspaper has two DUIs

Judge Laura Viar signed a warrant to allow police to raid the newspaper over claims it illegally obtained DUI information about a business owner. It turns out Viar reportedly has two DUIs of her own.

Kobach: KBI looking into possible data breach in Kansas newspaper case - Kansas Reflector

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach says state authorities reviewing alleged crimes associated with the raid of a Marion newspaper are interested in whether someone breached the Kansas Criminal Justice Information System.

Jake LaTurner: Marion newspaper raid a 'terrible circumstance' but patience warranted

U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner, R-Kan., said a police raid on a Kansas newspaper was "a terrible circumstance" but urged patience for the legal process.

Opinion | See the Kansas weekly that's standing up for press freedom

A photographer of small-town Kansas newspaper offices remembers his visit to Marion County.

Developing . . .