On Feb. 20, the Great Bend Tribune story, “Social media conduct questioned over Rankin report,” delved into informal charges Barton County Attorney Amy Mellor leveled against employees of the Barton County Sheriff’s Department regarding two posts and “likes” from other department employees on Facebook. The posts at issue claimed Mellor and Assistant County Attorney Doug Matthews assessed blame to Great Bend Police Department Lt. Heather Davis Smith for actions ordered in the state versus Jeffrey Rankin case.Background Rankin was originally charged with 31 counts, including rape and aggravated indecent liberties with a child under 14 years old, possession of visual depiction of a child less than 18 years old, stalking and violation of protective orders. Rankin’s defense attorney Ben Fisher requested a motions hearing, to dismiss the first 11 counts he was charged with on Jan. 23, 2017, because the state had exceeded the 180 days allotted to bring the defendant to speedy trial.