I really hope that the South Dakota jury charged with deciding if Rep. Bill Janklow commited second-degree manslaughter finds him guilty and recommends the maximum sentence. Janklow was travelling 70 mph in a 40 mph zone when he blew a stop sign and killed a Viet Nam veteran out for a ride on his Harley. For all of us that seek out rural roads to escape congestion and to feel relatively safe on long rides, stories like this are a good reminder that you have to always be vigilant. Careless, arrogant drivers exist everywhere. This is a guy who would publicly brag about his excessive speeding and routinely drove in the high eighties to nineties. He has shown a pattern of reckless behavior on the road, and is now trying to blame his homicidal act on a sudden adverse diabetic reaction. One that IMHO the prosecution has more than proven to be fiction. Here's a link to the facts for those that are unfamiliar with the trial...
Janklow was travelling 70 mph in a 40 mph zone when he blew a stop sign and killed a Viet Nam veteran out for a ride on his Harley.
I hope they treat him exactly like they would me, if I had done it.
Jupe
12-05-03, 02:43 PM
Even if he did have this alleged diabetic reaction, by his own admission, he knew he had diabetes and he decided not to eat all day. To my mind that constitutes criminal recklessness.
ngateguy
12-05-03, 03:42 PM
Even if he did have this alleged diabetic reaction, by his own admission, he knew he had diabetes and he decided not to eat all day. To my mind that constitutes criminal recklessness.
My thoughts exactly, really what it sounds like is a made up excuse just to try to get off the hook.
TrekRider
12-05-03, 03:46 PM
Even if he did have this alleged diabetic reaction, by his own admission, he knew he had diabetes and he decided not to eat all day. To my mind that constitutes criminal recklessness.
"Wanton disregard for human life," as the wording of many statutes goes. Definately at least Manslaughter I. I hope they put this idiot so far away they have to pipe in light.
Schiek
12-09-03, 07:05 AM
Janklow was convicted, yesterday, on all counts. The jury agreed with the prosecutor that the congressman's diabetic reaction excuse was a "goofy defense." Even though the trial was in Janklow's home town and his conviction leaves South Dakota without a vote in the House of Representatives, the people on the jury were brave, upright citizens who did what was right.
LittleBigMan
12-09-03, 08:05 AM
Janklow was convicted, yesterday, on all counts.
A high-profile case. I hope it sends a message.
KrisA
12-09-03, 09:28 AM
The news story I saw on CNN implied that he would likely not serve any jail time as he has 'suffered enough' with having to resign his Senate seat. :rolleyes: Lock'em up.
Allister
12-09-03, 04:38 PM
The news story I saw on CNN implied that he would likely not serve any jail time as he has 'suffered enough' with having to resign his Senate seat. :rolleyes: Lock'em up.
So getting fired from your job is punishment enough for manslaughter these days? Wow.
ngateguy
12-09-03, 04:50 PM
So getting fired from your job is punishment enough for manslaughter these days? Wow.
wow does this mean I can shoot my boss :D
LittleBigMan
12-10-03, 02:15 PM
A high-profile case. I hope it sends a message.
The news story I saw on CNN implied that he would likely not serve any jail time as he has 'suffered enough' with having to resign his Senate seat.
That would not be the message I was hoping for.
erraticrider
12-10-03, 02:17 PM
wow does this mean I can shoot my boss :D
Only if you do it with reckless disregard, rather than malice of fore thought.
oscaregg
12-28-03, 10:19 AM
Look, we just have to remember that THERE IS A BIG $#%ING DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATOR AND A HUMAN BEING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LittleBigMan
12-29-03, 11:21 AM
Janklow was travelling 70 mph in a 40 mph zone when he blew a stop sign and killed a Viet Nam veteran out for a ride on his Harley.
This is a guy who would publicly brag about his excessive speeding and routinely drove in the high eighties to nineties.
Why does someone has to be killed before habitual speeders/DUI's or aggressive drivers are dealt with? We often wait until it's too late when we could have restricted someone's driving privileges in the first place.
Schiek
12-29-03, 11:55 AM
Why does someone has to be killed before habitual speeders/DUI's or aggressive drivers are dealt with? We often wait until it's too late when we could have restricted someone's driving privileges in the first place.
Well in this case it was his past, unpunished transgressions that finally did him in. He almost killed an entire family at the same intersection some years ago. The woman driving called 911 and gave a description of the car. The local PD pulled Janklow over doing eighty or ninety. He was given a warning.
This guy was basically the King of South Dakota. He was a two term Governor and long term U.S. Congressman--the ONLY U.S. Congressman for the entire state. Any pork-barrels rolling SD's way were coming from King William.
BTW, Janklow filed December 29 motions for acquittal or a new trial.
Ebbtide
12-29-03, 02:39 PM
Why does someone has to be killed before habitual speeders/DUI's or aggressive drivers are dealt with? We often wait until it's too late when we could have restricted someone's driving privileges in the first place.
We will get there eventually.
When I was in high school (in the 80's) it was still legal to drink and drive, smoke in the mall, classroom, and theaters, buy beer at 18, hard liquor at 19, and beat your wife and children.
Incremental-ism will get us all eventually.
ehenz
Is SD the only State that still allows open containers?
Schiek
01-22-04, 08:21 PM
100 days in jail...work release for up to 10 hours a day after 30 days served...