Ex-chief won’t avoid cameras in courtroom
Staff writer
A former Marion police chief who asked a court to shield him from having photos taken during his upcoming court appearances won’t get what he wanted.
Gideon Cody, who led a now-disavowed raid Aug. 11, 2023, on the Marion County Record and the homes of its owners and a city council member, was charged Aug. 12 with felony interference with judicial process for allegedly asking restaurateur Kari Newell to delete text messages between them.
The following day, news organizations began filing requests to have cameras, audio recording equipment, and other electronic devices in the courtroom.
On Aug. 20, Cody’s defense lawyer, Brian White of Wichita, filed a motion asking that cameras not be allowed. He claimed cameras might interfere with Cody getting a fair trial, particularly because the case already had garnered international publicity.
Wichita lawyer Lyndon Vix responded to White’s motion on behalf of six newspapers including The Record, and eight television and radio stations.
“The irony of this defendant seeking to limit media access in this case is striking,” Vix wrote. “The genesis of the case was defendant’s decision to go to the war with a member of the media.
“Now, when he is called to at least partially account for his actions, he wants the media to have less access to his proceedings than they would have in any other defendant’s case.
“If there was ever a defendant who was not entitled to special consideration in this regard, it is Gideon Cody. His case should be treated like any other, and the routine request for electronic access to the courtroom should be granted.”
In a decision filed Monday, District Judge Ryan Rosauer ruled that one television camera with one operator and one still photographer operating no more than two cameras would be allowed in the courtroom.
The television operator and photographer will be chosen by the court and are to share with other media outlets.
No flashes or lighting devices will be allowed.
No audio recordings are to include conferences between lawyers and clients, other lawyers, or the judge.
Cameras are not to focus on materials on lawyers’ tables.
No jurors are to be recorded. Neither is the jury box.
If a victim or witness asks not to be recorded or the hearing is an evidence suppression hearing, no recording will be allowed.
The judge will designate the location for audio and video equipment.