Janklow Cries While Testifying on Crash

The Argus Leader ^ | Dec. 07, 2003 | By CARSON WALKER

[Sockdologer]

FLANDREAU, S.D. (AP) -- Rep. Bill Janklow took the stand as the final defense witness at his manslaughter trial, crying as he talked about the motorcyclist who died in the traffic accident he is accused of causing.

The former governor and state attorney general said Saturday he remembers nothing about the crash at a rural crossroads on Aug. 16. He admitted speeding, but responded "I don't know" or "I don't recall" to many of his lawyer's questions about events before and after the accident.

Janklow, 64, is charged with second-degree manslaughter, running a stop sign, reckless driving and speeding in the crash that killed Randy Scott, 55, of Hardwick, Minn., when Janklow's Cadillac crossed the path of Scott's motorcycle.

Scott, 55, was killed instantly. Janklow suffered a broken hand and a head injury.

Saturday was the sixth day of the trial. Closing arguments are expected on Monday.

Janklow said he had tried several times to meet with Scott's relatives but they weren't ready.

"I have to meet with them," he said, crying.

Prosecutors argue that Janklow made a conscious decision to speed and ignore the stop sign.

When questioned by a prosecutor, he acknowledged that he does speed and that he has run stop signs, but he said he would not speed through a blind intersection on purpose.

The defense has tried to establish that Janklow, a diabetic, was suffering the effects of low blood sugar before the crash.

Janklow testified that a tight schedule had kept him from eating, even though he knew the risk of taking his insulin and not eating.

"I just plain forgot," he said. "I've asked myself that 10 million times since this day."

He denied running a stop sign nearly a year ago at the same intersection and nearly hitting the truck of a woman who testified earlier in the trial. The woman said she didn't pursue charges against Janklow because he was governor at the time.

He also said he wakes up at night thinking about the August accident.

"I wake up and just sweat. You can't imagine what this is like," Janklow said. He said he has wished "a thousand times" that he had eaten before the wreck.

Janklow's lawyer introduced a bottle of the high-blood pressure drug Atenolol on Saturday and a prescription for it dated July 25.

Janklow has said he was taking the drug, which can hide the symptoms of low blood sugar, but stopped using it on his own sometime after the accident.

Hospital lists of his medication after the accident do not include Atenolol, and a doctor testified Saturday that he found no indication in Janklow's records he was on the drug the day of the crash.

The evidence drew the ire of deputy prosecutor Roger Ellyson, who accused defense lawyer Ed Evans of not sharing it earlier.

Evans wants to show that Janklow suffered the diabetic reaction but did not feel the symptoms because he was on the heart pill.

If convicted, the former four-term governor and only congressman from South Dakota could face up to 10 years in prison and a House ethics committee investigation

[EggsAckley]

he acknowledged that he does speed and that he has run stop signs

Yeah, right. Doesn't everybody speed and run stop signs?? I don't, do you?

This guy is guilty.

[Tijeras_Slim]

janklow scum ping

[Monty22]

I dunno why he admitted to that, but I think everyone probably has at some point. Sounds like someone is misquoting him.

I had 2 wrecks from epileptic seizures and I feel for the guy. It's not fun to do such things and not remember at all what happened.

[cynicom]

Jail the bastard.

[Paul Atreides]

He admitted speeding, but responded "I don't know" or "I don't recall" to many of his lawyer's questions about events before and after the accident.

He's Hillary! She ran over that guard. Have we ever seen these two in the same room?

[leadpenny]

If he is found not-guilty and does not resign his House seat, he will become a poster boy for the dems.

He needs to do the right thing and just get out.

[Sockdologer]

Agreed. But with this guy, it's unlikely.

[Lucy Lake]

If his health is deteriorating, and his memory is sooo bad, shouldn't he be in intensive care instead of representing South Dakota in Washington?

[Reeses]

crying as he talked

Women can cry and talk at the same time but when men cry for real they are unable to talk coherently. Ever since Clinton set the standard, men have been cry acting with dry eyes. Why do people buy this?

[Carolinamom]

He MIGHT be believable if he did not have a HISTORY of speeding.

[Drango]

Ahhhh, the twinkie defense!

[Hillary's Folly]

He MIGHT be believable if he did not have a HISTORY of speeding.

AND a history of running stop signs at full speed.

[martin_fierro]

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Send FReepmail if you want on/off FMH list

[BraveMan]

I have a friend that has gone through the same situation; two accidents while experiencing seizures. The first one left him with contusions, broken bones and a totalled car. It's a real bad deal.

Having said that, I find Rep. Bill Janklow's varied and conflicting statements since the accident troublesome. It paints a picture of a man attempting to deflect the blame away from himself in an effort to avoid suffering the consequences of his actions.

[EggsAckley]

I would think that, after just ONE incident, the driver would begin seeking other means of transportation. It's hard to give up driving, but very selfish to NOT give up when there is evidence of disability.

[sandydipper]

The guy was DRUNK - he ran a stop sign and KILLED a motorcyclist - end of story. Put the sh*t head in JAIL.

[WorkingClassFilth]

"I had 2 wrecks from epileptic seizures and I feel for the guy. It's not fun to do such things and not remember at all what happened."

Maybe.

What is important is to remember that this is a man that has routinely broken the speed limit and driving law many, many times. In fact, blowing through the stop sign where the accident occured is his usual practice. He's talked about it, laughed about it and is well known by locals, friends, family and aquaintances to have this disregard.

Even more important, he is a Republican. The growth in rural support for Republicans is something that can be seriously harmed by a good ol' boy wink and nod. Even more so when the RATs make hay of it in the next cycle.

If he is innocent, get rid of him as a political liability. If he is guilty, give him the fullest extent of the law.

For more of the same topic:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1035110/posts

[sgtbono2002]

Monty I feel for you kid, but if you have had two wrecks because of epileptic seizures , you dont belong behind the wheel of an automobile. What happens if you suffer a seizure in a school zone or on the beltway , it isnt just you its whomsoever you take out with you. As for this guy its BS. He isnt crying for the guy he ran over , he is crying because now he is caught and he, just like any other citizen, should face his responsibility .

[bandleader]

I don't know whether Mr.Janklow was physically impaired due to"low blood-sugar",but certain responses he gives while under oath brings a certain couple to mind!"I Don't Remember"and"I Don't Recall".Now where have I heard that?