Representative Janklow's fatal collision with a motorcyclist has been the talk of the Usenet group rec.motorcycles; see the thread "South Dakota Congressman Kills Motorcyclist." Initial reaction there was that he should be executed by the side of the road and his head jammed on a pike. Other listers have counseled waiting for an investigation first. Here are some links to this and another recent incident from rec.motorcycles.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0...3042844,00.html

And what's this? Gray Davis too?

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c.../09/BA68375.DTL

Edited to add: this topic has been mentioned in another thread at Outsports, but I thought its inclusion was tangential to that thread's original topic.

continuing coverage of Janklow

[ August 20, 2003, 10:26 AM: Message edited by: twin58 ]

Is he going to run for President now?

I remember this little tidbit about Janklow, during the time he was governor of South Dakota. Swell guy, eh?

He doesn't love us either.

No, probably Senator from Massachusetts.

Sorry, they only allow Republicans who live in Utah that honor.

Uh, that be governor, fantomas, not senator.

Janklow's got a serious problem. He's a frickin' menace and should never drive again. Seven accidents? Countless speeding tickets? And now someone dies because Janklow is a reckless animal.

To top it off, his congressional aide who was riding with him has suddenly gone missing.

I sure hope this whole thing gets thoroughly investigated, but it sure sounds like he ought to serve time for what he did--not to mention resign from Congress if the House doesn't expel him.

What an idiot he is.

In another thread, MIB posted:

Congressman Janklow Charged with Manslaughter

Note: I don't think the link will last long, so I'm reprinting excerpts.

Aug 29, 4:41 PM (ET)

By CARSON WALKER

FLANDREAU, S.D. (AP) - Rep. Bill Janklow, the hard-charging former governor who has been a dominating force in South Dakota politics for 30 years, was charged with second-degree manslaughter Friday for allegedly barreling through a stop sign at more than 70 mph and colliding with a motorcyclist.

Bill Ellingson, the prosecutor in Janklow's home county, also charged the congressman with failure to stop, speeding and misdemeanor reckless driving for the Aug. 16 crash that killed Randy Scott, a 55-year-old farmer from Hardwick, Minn. Janklow hurt his head and right hand.

The manslaughter charge carries up to 10 years in prison and $10,000 fine if convicted.

Ellingson refused to talk to reporters, but said in a news release that manslaughter charges in traffic accidents are warranted in cases where there is "a conscious and unjustifiable disregard of a substantial risk."

Janklow would not comment. But his son, attorney Russell Janklow, said it would be inappropriate to talk about the case. "Any discussions that should and would be done will be done at the courthouse and that's the appropriate place for it," he said.

At his court appearance Tuesday, Janklow can decide if he wants a preliminary hearing and bond would also be set, Ellingson said.

Some political watchers believe the same rural intersection that took Scott's life also claimed Janklow's political career.

If a congressman is convicted of a felony, the U.S. House of Representatives ethics committee would automatically investigate.

The committee's rules say representatives who plead guilty or are convicted of a crime that carries more than two years in prison cannot vote in the chamber until his or her record is cleared, or until re-elected.

If Janklow were to resign, fellow Republican Gov. Mike Rounds would call a special election within three months to fill it.

News of the charges brought a mixed reaction among voters who helped make him such a fixture in South Dakota politics.

Meta Ibis of Sioux Falls said Friday that Janklow was a good governor but his career is ruined.

"He needs to be stopped, but it's too bad it had to be that way," she said. "The guy was just nuts when it came to driving."

Some were less gracious. Myrtle Funston of Sioux Falls said she doesn't want Janklow representing her.

"He has been in trouble before and I think it's about time," she said. "It's too bad it takes something like that to stop him."

Not everyone's ready to have Janklow's career come to an end.

"He's innocent until proven guilty," said Bill Middagh of Sioux Falls. "He should not leave office unless he is convicted."

"He's not going to let a bad Saturday afternoon ruin his career."

###

A bad Saturday afternoon??? In whose eyes? I suppose it was "bad" for the motorcycle victim and his family, too, huh?

IMHO, whether Janklow is acquitted or not, he ought to resign. A good example of a congressman he is not. I also believe he should never again be allowed to possess a driver's license.

The one link that is always up to date:

http://www.argusleader.com/janklowaccident.shtml

Why Ted Kennedy gets off for killing Mary Jo and Janklow gets HIS ass in trouble is beyond me.

Both men deserve(d) jail time for their actions.

MIB, MIB...I was waiting for your anti-Democratic outburst.

This is really about Janklow, not Teddy Kennedy, whom the laws, courts and people of Massachusetts dealt with almost 30 years ago.

Janklow's arrogance is what gets me. Did he really think he was above the law?

Can't quite figure out this quote from the article
In most states you get a tiny little barely readable sign saying you support cleaning up the highways. What's the big deal and what could one possibly "show off"?

This is your last warning, fantomas: Stop obsessing over me! :mad:

Of course this is about Janklow. The guy's an idiot, pure and simple, and now his reckless actions have resulted in the death of a human being. I just hope he doesn't weasel out of this via political connections the way Teddy did.

(BTW, the laws and courts didn't deal with Teddy. He was above the law. You don't think for a minute his connections got him off and swept under the rug the life--and death--of a young woman? Of course they did; but I digress. That's history, and I'm not intending to dwell on it. Just thought I'd throw it out here.)

[ August 31, 2003, 11:52 AM: Message edited by: MIB ]

Turns out this menace to society Janklow ran a stop sign at the same intersection last December -- and nearly caused another accident.

Link to story.

[ September 02, 2003, 09:13 AM: Message edited by: DCBucky ]

I'm at the point where I believe Janklow should never be allowed near anything with wheels.

He should be criminally prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and civilly sued as well. Doubtless his assets and insurance will prove easy pickings for a PI lawyer, which is good, but not good enough to replace the life that he took. frown

He should be, but somehow I doubt he will be. We'll see.

http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2.../top/news01.txt

....

Another incumbent protection act, just like the so-called campaign finance reform BS.

How totally magical!

I want to become a government official so I can become irresponsible and negligent without any ramifications!
Weeeeeeee!

How perverse! Is he exempt from criminal prosecution too?

I say give him a few sixpacks, put him behind the wheel of a tank, and send him to Tikrit! frown

Only if Teddy gets to go along. Can you picture Teddy after a few 6-packs?

Janklow says he'll return to Washington; political future uncertain

http://www.argusleader.com/breaking/Monday...ayfeature.shtml

The mother lode:

http://www.argusleader.com/janklowaccident.shtml

His press conference today amounted to his saying "you're one too."

This is a great column about Bill Janklow. It's not looking good for him.

Nice. Get your thugs to investigate people that write letters to editors. Rats from a sinking ship soon, I bet.

Jim, I think you will like this one. Janklow told cop: I wasn't speeding

He can never can accept what he did. I'm a victim too!!

Stop signs?! We don't need no stinking stop signs!

[ November 19, 2003, 10:16 AM: Message edited by: Undercenter ]

Criminey. There were other incidents? Yikes.

There was a great South Park recently about seniors killing people while driving and when they get their liscenses revoked, calling in the AARP to forment revolution. I think Janklow should have been in that episode.

One of the many criticisms of former CA gov Gray Davis is that he "was out of touch with the concerns of common people". One example that was used is that he doesn't drive because he's been a politician for so long that he's had staffers or government employees drive him every where. After 1993, why didn't Janklow get a Lincoln Towne Car and a driver?

Some people........

[ November 19, 2003, 12:25 PM: Message edited by: Jim Allen ]

Certainly the majority of people in Janklow's state by now see this man for what he is, a literally dangerous hypocrite, and will not put him back in office. He refuses to take responsibility, so thankfully there's the law to at least punish him for killing this poor man.

Here are the latest numbers on Janklow:

Favorable: 29%
Unfavorable: 45%

Last year at this time they were:
Favorable: 53%
Unfavorable: 27%

A poll matching him against his 2002 Dem. opponent, Stephanie Herseth:
Herseth: 57%
Janklow: 29%

Even among GOPers it's bad:
Janklow: 45%
Herseth: 39%

This race has national implications since Janklow's predecessor, John Thune, is deciding whether to challenge Tom Daschle for his Senate seat. Thune may however decide it is easier and better for him to return to the House -- should Janklow step aside:

Thune: 47%
Herseth: 40%

(Sioux Falls Argus Leader /KELO-TV poll; conducted 10/31-11/2 by Mason-Dixon Polling)

I've met him once at the State Capitol in Pierre. He is a pompus, arrogant ass****. He had an air about him that I was just a puny no-good college student. He hated higher education and continually cut funds for the colleges in South Dakota. Hell, in the 1980's, he sold Yankton College to the US Government and made it into a Federal Prison.

And now, we are suppose to feel sorry for him? Forget it!

Bill Janklow's manslaughter trial begins Monday

We had the "Twinkie defense". Now, we have the "Diabetes defense". Going down

Something about that stop sign just causes him to speed right through that intersection in a diabetic coma. It's happened before, there's another lady who's come forth to say he ran that same intersction before and caused an accident btu she didn't press charges because he was the Gov.

Ther's a discussion of the trial at the Usenet group rec.motorcycles.

People vs. Janklow, day one

He's going down. Whew. The "Diabetes Defense" probably won't be used again by defense attorneys any time soon.

[ December 08, 2003, 04:19 PM: Message edited by: Jim Allen ]

But do you think that the judge is going to sentence this guy harshly? He was the GOP sachem in that state, and probably can call in some favors. Thankfully he wasn't able to do so with the jury; they did their job. Will the judge do his/hers?

He HAS to do some time; if he doesn't, I think the residents of SD would be justified in asking for a recall of that judge. Of course, if that's possible in South Dakota.

Janklow resigns from Congress. The text of his letter to Speaker Hastert:



[ December 08, 2003, 08:04 PM: Message edited by: MIB ]

Sadness all around.

Jury Finds Janklow Guilty

If this isn't a perfect example of how our actions have consequences I don't know what is.

Perhaps he should have thought about going to prison and other such horrors whenever he got behind the wheel. Obviously, he did not.

I haven't commented on this thread before because I knew nothing of Jankow or his history, but having followed this case in the press during the trial, I can only say this man is a menace to society. I don't know if he will get, or deserves jail time (seems like probation is an option for someone who has never committed a violent crime), but whatever the sentence he must never be allowed behind the wheel of an automobile again. EVER.

I don't know if I buy the diabetic defense, but even if you do, that only shows how reckless he really was. My dad is a diabetic and the first rule of maintenance when you have that disease is regular meals. If Jankow didn't know that, or simply didn't care to follow those directions, he should simply lose the right to drive forever.

I say that it is a fair judgment given to Janklow. Growing up 15 miles away from Flandreau, you always heard the glories of Bill Janklow. I never really cared for him - ever. BUT ... if I was on that jury, I would put my feelings aside and rule on what the evidence was given, just like the jury members in Flandreau. They did their job like they were meant to do and they did it to what they thought was appropriate. It is sad that no one really wins. I do feel for the victim's family AND Janklow's family, but not Janklow himself.

As for the Judge ... my family has known him since I was little. He's a very nice guy and a pretty damn good judge.

Here's a great article about the jurors in the Janklow trial. Click here.

No opinions on this?? That's a first.

Um, who's that directed to?

all people interested ...

Interesting comments from the jurors -- thanks for the link, Allen....although I haven't commented much on this thread, I've been following this case closely from the beginning and was pleasantly surprised that Janklow received the conviction that he clearly deserved....had it been any other "normal" member of society this case would have been a "slam dunk" for the prosecution but given the former Governor's LONG history of political power and connections in South Dakota (along with the degree of "reverance" that some residents seemed to bestow upon Janklow, for reasons that still baffle me, given his past conduct) I figured that the Congressman would somehow find a way to get off scott-free....his driving record over the past decade (and penchant for using the "existence" of phantom vehicles as an excuse) speaks for itself and it is truly a miracle that more innocent citizens of South Dakota were not killed as a direct result of his negligence behind the wheel -- including the woman who encountered Janklow's cadillac at the same intersection a year earlier and admitted in court that the only reason she didn't pursue legal action against him at the time was because he was then the Governor.

While I seriously doubt that Janklow will receive the maximum 11 year prison sentence (and it is a virtual certainty that he will not spend anywhere near that amount of time behind bars) I hope he does receive a harsh sentence, if for no other reason than to prove once and for all that despite someone's power, arrogance and wealth they will still be forced to suffer the consequences for their actions and pay their debt to society for committing such heinous acts.

100 days in jail

It ain't right.

It gets worse.

"He will be eligible for work release after 30 days but must spend each night in jail. Janklow also received a suspended imposition of sentence, which means if he completes his jail time and a term of probation the felony conviction will be removed from his record."

[ January 22, 2004, 06:48 PM: Message edited by: twin58 ]

So that's the going rate for a life in South Dakota these days, eh?

These light sentences for drivers who kill people is, IMHO, a national problem. Too often people who kill using their cars get off with nary a slap on the wrist.