S.D. Congressman Found Guilty Of Manslaughter

local6.com ^ | December 8, 2003 | Associated Press

[Map Kernow]

"The defendant's driving is like a deadly game of Russian roulette," a prosecutor said Monday. "On August 16, Randy Scott took the bullet."

I suppose that is what passes for legal arguments these days.

It sounds like an excerpt from his closing statement to the jury. And it's not bad. You shouldn't ever talk down to a jury, but you should never talk "like a lawyer" to them, either. This quoted bit was simple but effective---it sure did the trick for this prosecutor.

[gitmo]

It's about time the example's set that if you drive like a fiend, you're going to wind up hurting someone or worse, and if you do, you have to pay. No exceptions!



Kennedy's car is removed from Poucha Pond at Chappaquiddick



Senator Teddy, wearing his controversial neck brace, leaves St. Vincent's Church with his wife, Joan, after the funeral Mass for Mary Jo Kopechne.

[GOPcapitalist]

Then it also speaks volumes about what passes for juries these days. It's a goofy piece of soundbyte sophistry that ammounts to little more than a general dumbing down of our courtrooms.

[mac_truck]

The jury in Janklow's boyhood hometown deliberated for about five hours before returning its verdict.

Janklow got what was coming to him. Stop whining about it.

[Our man in washington]

Ever notice when a conservative is clearly guilty of a crime, conservatives tend to say "He did, and he should pay the price." I offer this thread as case in point.

Ever notice when a liberal is clearly guilty of a crime, liberals claim some kind of conservative conspiracy?

Let's be blunt: we're better.

[ChefKeith]

Hydrant Mark

[Irene Adler]

"Janklow appeared stunned as the verdict was read. He walked steadily out of the courtroom, got in a vehicle driven by his son and left the courthouse. He refused to respond to questions shouted by a horde of reporters."

Why was the man not taken immediately into custody and off to the nearest county jail to await sentencing?

[Irene Adler]

"Then it also speaks volumes about what passes for juries these days. It's a goofy piece of soundbyte sophistry that ammounts to little more than a general dumbing down of our courtrooms."

It sounded pretty true, to me.

[GOPcapitalist]

Janklow got what was coming to him. Stop whining about it.

Thank you providing yet another example of the dumbing down that is pervasive in our judicial system - it has absolutely nothing to do with the truth of law or making distinctions in punishment as they relate to the offense as long as he "got what was coming to him." Oh, and anyone who raises so much as the slightest concern over the pervasive stupidity in this country is "whining" about it. Yeah. That's how it all works...

[GOPcapitalist]

Why was the man not taken immediately into custody and off to the nearest county jail to await sentencing?

Cause non-violent offenders who have no indication of being a flight risk are allowed to stay free on bond until the trial is finished.

[mac_truck]

The defense argued that Janklow, a diabetic, was suffering the effects of low blood sugar at the time of the crash because he had not eaten for 18 hours. Medical experts told prosecutors it is unusual for anyone to go that long without food — and highly dangerous for a diabetic who takes insulin.

Sounds to me like the jury wasn't dumb enough to buy into this weasel defense. Sounds like they did their job. Sounds like youre just whining about it.

[basil]

Well, of course I feel sad for the victim. My comment was only meant to mean that the whole thing is a sad situation, as anything like this is.

[truth_seeker]

Thank you providing yet another example of the dumbing down that is pervasive in our judicial system - it has absolutely nothing to do with the truth of law or making distinctions in punishment as they relate to the offense as long as he "got what was coming to him."

You sound like the "dumbed down" one, standing up for this guy with such a disregard for others' lives, evidenced by 12 speeding tickets and near misses. Jury = smart. Verdict = correct and just. You = dumb.

[NYCVirago]

Several witnesses said they did not see Janklow eat or drink anything that day, including Daschle, who called the congressman "a very truthful person."

But is Daschle "deeply saddened" by the verdict?