County Attorney Explains Process if Withheld Dr. Juby Email Is Sought in Shelter Case

1. Background on the withheld email

An email from Salina Animal Shelter contracting veterinarian Dr. Melissa Juby remains at the center of an ongoing records dispute, as questions continue about who has been denied access to the document and what legal steps could follow if investigators determine it is relevant to the case.

As previously reported, the dispute began after Salina resident Susan Nickel filed a Kansas Open Records Act request seeking email communications and attachments exchanged between Dr. Juby, Andrea Murphy, Monique Hawley and Jeff Hammond from Dec. 10, 2025, through Feb. 28, 2026.

According to the city’s written responses, one email was initially withheld as a veterinary record. In a later response, the city said it no longer viewed the email that way and instead withheld it under KORA exemptions related to individually identifiable personnel information and internal communications in which opinions are expressed or policies or actions are proposed. The city later said the email could not be reasonably redacted in a way that would allow release of any non-exempt material.

Nickel has since filed an official complaint with the Kansas Attorney General, arguing that withholding the email in its entirety violates the Kansas Open Records Act. She has also said that she and others involved in the broader transparency effort surrounding the shelter are reviewing possible legal options.

2. Questions about access to the email

Salina311 has investigated an unconfirmed report that the same email may also have been withheld from Investigator Trower of the Saline County Sheriff’s Office.

While Salina311 was in the process of contacting Investigator Trower, the message was relayed to him, and Saline County Sheriff's Office staff then relayed instructions that any questions should be directed to the Saline County Attorney’s Office.

One denial, however, is confirmed.

The same email was also denied to Salina City Commissioner Doug Rempp when he asked to review it. Rempp has stated that publicly on the record.

3. What Reynolds said about the legal process

After being directed to the Saline County Attorney’s Office, Salina311 contacted Saline County Attorney John Reynolds to ask what happens if a document sought by investigators is not turned over.

Reynolds said he had not yet received a report on the matter to review.

However, he said that if the email is something investigators need, the county has a legal process available to seek it through the courts.

“If it’s something we need, the Saline County Attorney can seek a court order,” Reynolds said.

He said that kind of process is routine.

“Generally, we do this several times a week, going for records off a telephone or account, and we get that order to release that, whether they like that or not,” Reynolds said.

Reynolds described the process as similar to an inquisition or a search warrant, where investigators explain what they are seeking, why they want it, and how it may relate to the case.

“It’s an inquisition. We say what we want and why we want it. It’s much like a search warrant,” he said.

According to Reynolds, investigators would need to present a prima facie case to a judge.

“Prima facie case. These are the facts that we have, this is what we think, and this is how it affects this case,” Reynolds said.

He said the request would then be presented to the judge in camera, meaning privately and not in open court.

“It is delivered to the judge in camera (meaning in private). It’s not a matter of record,” Reynolds said.

He said the judge would then decide whether the material is relevant and should be turned over.

“The judge will review it in that case and decide if it is relevant,” Reynolds said.

Reynolds’ comments do not mean the county has already moved to compel the release of the email. He said he has not yet received a report on the matter. His explanation indicates that if investigators determine the document is relevant, the Saline County Attorney’s Office could ask a judge to order its release.