South Dakota Rep. Janklow Charged in Fatal Wreck SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Reuters) - U.S. Rep. Bill Janklow was charged with second-degree manslaughter on Friday, two weeks after the long-time South Dakota politician allegedly sped through a stop sign, striking and killing a motorcyclist. Janklow, 63, could face up to 10 years in prison and $10,000 in fines if found guilty on the charge. He was also charged with reckless driving, speeding and failure to stop at a stop sign, according to Moody County State's Attorney William Ellingson. The Republican -- South Dakota's lone House member and a long-time friend of President Bush (news - web sites) -- has been at the center of storm of public attention since the Aug. 16 accident, which occurred in the late afternoon as the former two-term governor drove south toward Sioux Falls down a stretch of a rural county highway. An accident report issued by police found that Janklow was driving at 70 mph to 75 mph, in an area where the speed limit was 55 mph, when he ran through a stop sign and collided with a motorcycle driven by Randy Scott of Hardwick, Minnesota. Authorities said the borrowed 1995 Cadillac DeVille Janklow was driving traveled about 300 feet after hitting Scott. Scott died at the scene and Janklow suffered hand and head injuries but did not require hospital admission. Janklow has a history of speeding in the state, having been cited for driving faster than the law allows on at least 12 occasions since 1990. He has been involved in at least seven traffic accidents since 1992, according to state records. The accident and the two-week lag in filing charges had sparked controversy and debate across the state, with speculation growing over whether Janklow should resign his seat in Congress. A poll published on Friday in South Dakota found the majority of those questioned said Janklow's political career should be over if he is found guilty of Scott's death. His office said he had no immediate comment on the charges, though he had been quoted previously as saying he expected to be charged. Janklow's initial court appearance was set for Tuesday at Moody County Courthouse in Flandreau, South Dakota.
This is definitely good news, but with additional charges of reckless, speeding and failure to stop he's totally primed for a plea bargain. Wonder how he'd like it if all those folks leaving the HD 100th Anniversary suddenly showed up on the South Dakota capital front lawn demanding a statement? Larry -- ______________________________ '86 GL1200 A '84 XV700 Brain Damaged Dog ~ Retarded Cat ______________________________
That won't be so bad considering it will also probably end his career. Then again, he'll have more free time to be driving around! Larry -- ______________________________ '86 GL1200 A '84 XV700 Brain Damaged Dog ~ Retarded Cat ______________________________
As long as he stays in the state that created this monster....let them deal with the shit-for-brains that they've allowed to do all of the crap listed!
I would respectfully disagree that "his record doesn't seem any more reckless than going 70 in the fog" Per CNN: Janklow's heavy accelerator foot is legendary with state employees who rode with him when he was governor and reporters who tagged along during disasters. Just last summer, two reporters were riding with Janklow when he made a 99 mph mad dash, through heavy smoke, down a mountain highway in the Black Hills during a raging forest fire. Fleeing the area before the blaze made the most direct escape route inaccessible, Janklow tried to go faster, but the computer in his sport utility vehicle kept the engine from going past 99 mph. State court records show that Janklow got 12 speeding tickets in 11 South Dakota counties from 1990 to 1994 and paid more than $1,000 in fines. He often drove 15 mph to 20 mph faster than legal speed limits and once got caught going 90 mph in a 65-mph zone. However, Janklow has not been ticketed for speeding since October 1994, just before he was elected to his third term as governor. He served as governor from 1979-1986 and 1995-2002 before being elected to the state's lone House seat last year. The court records, dating to 1989, also show he was fined in 1992 for following too closely. Records from previous years are not listed in the computer system. Janklow got several speeding tickets during his first term as governor. He was warned in 1982 that he was in danger of losing his license after being stopped for going 80 mph in a 55-mph zone in Turner County. Janklow had received a similar warning in 1979 during his first year in office. Note: This prick has made his career with a "tough" stance on crime and punishment calling for increased penalties, longer prison sentences, etc. We'll soon see if his convictions stand the test when HE is standing in the dock. I say, hang this bastard as an example to all of even-handed justice. <- end rant -> -m
Well, each resulted in a dead biker, and neither are defendable practices. Unless your scale goes into the negative.
Up to a point, that's the way it is. Janklow is charged with reckless driving, not being a reckless driver. On the question of whether on the day and place charged he drove recklessly, he is entitled to the same presumption of innocence that I, who have never been charged with reckless driving, would enjoy. If convicted, the judge would be entitled to consider his pattern of contempt for the laws of the road in finding an appropriate sentence. R, UB
That may be a technical question for you, but for me it goes to the very heart of the legal system that we are judged for the actions we take and not the contents of our character. R, UB
I'm very uncomfortable with them. There are crimes where the perpetrator's motives may affect judgment. If you get drunk and run me over because you were not capable of controlling your vehicle, I would regard that as a somewhat different crime than if you deliberately ran me over either from personal malice or because you perceived that I belonged to a group that you found detestable. (I'd be just as dead either way, so what I might think of it is moot). I respect your right to hate me. I don't concede that you have a right to act on that hatred to cause me bodily injury. R, UB
