KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The investigation into the raid on Marion County Record and two homes will soon be sent to two special prosecutors for review, Kansas Bureau of Investigation told the KHSB I-Team Tuesday.
It's KBI's first update on the case in several months.
LINK | KSHB 41 coverage of Marion newspaper raid
The KSHB 41 I-Team previously reported KBI had turned over the investigation to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation late last year.
On Monday, the I-Team asked KBI for an update after Eric Meyer, owner of Marion County Record, filed a federal lawsuit against several city and county employees.
Melissa Underwood, spokesperson for KBI, confirmed CBI's involvement for the first time in a statement to KSHB.
"The KBI asked the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to take over the criminal investigation occurring in Marion County, in an effort to ensure impartiality and transparency. This request was made on November 8, 2023. Currently, the CBI’s investigation is nearing completion. Later this month CBI agents will present case facts to the special prosecutors in Kansas who will make charging decisions."
In an email, Rob Low, spokesperson for CBI confirmed to the I-Team the agency was asked to look specifically into law enforcement's conduct.
"CBI was asked by KBI to investigate the conduct of local law enforcement and whether it acted appropriately when it sought and executed search warrants at the local newspaper HQ," Low said.
Underwood told the I-Team the two prosecutors assigned to this case are Riley County Attorney Barry Wilkerson and Sedgwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett.
Both prosecutor's were assigned the case by Joel Ensey, Marion District Attorney.
In cases where a conflict of interest occur, the prosecutor with jurisdiction makes the determination to assign the case for outside review.
"Like any criminal case, they will review law enforcement’s investigative findings, compare them to applicable statutes and determine if criminal charges should be filed," Underwood said.
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