Aug 13 (Reuters) - A Kansas newspaper that was searched by police said its 98-year-old co-owner died on Saturday from stress related to the incident, which free press advocates condemned as a possible violation of the Marion County Record's First Amendment rights.
"Stressed beyond her limits and overwhelmed by hours of shock and grief after illegal police raids on her home and the Marion County Record newspaper office Friday, 98-year-old newspaper co-owner Joan Meyer, otherwise in good health for her age, collapsed Saturday afternoon and died at her home," the paper reported.
Marion County Police also searched the newspaper office on Friday, seizing personal cell phones, computers and the newspaper server, among other equipment, the Record said.
On Saturday, he issued a statement justifying the search of the newspaper.
The Kansas Press Association described the search as "unprecedented" and "an assault on the very foundation of democracy."
Persons:
Kari Newell, Newell, Phyllis Zorn, Joan Meyer, Meyer, Gideon Cody, Cody, Don Durfee, Lisa Shumaker
Organizations:
Marion County, Marion, Court, Reuters, Marion Country, Marion County Record, Medical, Marion County Police, Marion Police, U.S . Constitution, The Kansas Press Association, Freedom, Press, Associated Press, New York Times, Washington Post, Thomson
Locations:
Kansas, Marion, Marion County, U.S ., Washington