Expert Says Janklow Had Diabetic Reaction

AP | 12/05/03 | CARSON WALKER

[kattracks]

FLANDREAU, S.D., Dec 05, 2003 (AP Online via COMTEX) -- U.S. Rep. Bill Janklow appears to have had symptoms consistent with a diabetic reaction before the Aug. 16 crash that killed a motorcyclist, an expert on the disease testified Friday during the congressman's manslaughter trial.

Dr. Fred Lovrien of Sioux Falls, also a diabetic, said he examined Janklow after initially being skeptical about a proposed medical defense.

He said he concluded after examining him Oct. 27, reviewing his medical records and talking with him about his activities in the hours before the crash that it was possible Janklow had been suffering from low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia the day of the crash.

Janklow may not have felt the early symptoms because it was hot when he spoke at an event that morning and because he had had an angry exchange with a heckler, Lovrien said.

He said Janklow also told him he hadn't eaten anything that day. When a diabetic takes insulin but doesn't eat, the person can get fatigued and pass out, he said.

Janklow's defense lawyer hope to prove that Janklow's diabetes was at fault when the congressman sped through a stop sign, putting his Cadillac into the path of motorcyclist Randy Scott, who died after hitting the car.

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

The former four-term governor and only congressman from South Dakota is charged with second-degree manslaughter, running a stop sign, reckless driving and speeding. If convicted of manslaughter, he could faces up to 10 years in prison and a House ethics committee investigation.

His lawyer indicated Janklow may take the stand in his own defense.

Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle testified briefly on Thursday about the event he and Janklow both attended the morning of the crash. They were both on an outdoor stage at a Korean War veterans event in Aberdeen.

"I didn't see him eat" or drink anything, Daschle said in his testimony.

The senator also said he and Janklow are close friends. "I think he's a very truthful person," Daschle said of the Republican.

Three other people also testified Thursday that they didn't see Janklow eat anything while he was in Aberdeen.

Angela Cleberg, a server at the Minerva's restaurant in the Ramkota Inn hotel, said Janklow and his chief of staff, Chris Braendlin, ordered breakfast but canceled the order. "He said they were running late and had to leave," she said. They paid for a soft drink and coffee.

Leslie Simdorn, a former Janklow intern, said Janklow did not eat any of the barbecue available at the event out of concern he might spill on his clothes.

"He did ask (chief of staff Chris Braendlin) for a hot dog," said Simdorn, who said she didn't see him eat one. Braendlin testified Wednesday that Janklow hadn't had anything to eat all day.

An emergency medical technician said Janklow didn't appear to be suffering from low blood sugar after the accident, but he said Janklow did accept a Coke and some candy at the scene - two items that diabetics do not usually take unless they are low on sugar.

On Thursday, an accident reconstruction expert testified that Janklow was going 63 mph or 64 mph at the time of the crash - less than the Highway Patrol's estimate of 71 mph, but still over the 55 mph speed limit for that stretch of road.

Engineer Robert O'Shea said he used evidence from the state and information taken from an electronic sensing device in the car, data that state troopers were not able to download.

By CARSON WALKER Associated Press Writer

[Glenn]

The guy screwed up and killed someone. Let him take responsiblity for that and move on. Actions have consequences.

[martin_fierro]

Dr. Fred Lovrien of Sioux Falls, also a diabetic, said he examined Janklow after initially being skeptical about a proposed medical defense.

Then Janklow's attorney came up with his fee. Expert whore.

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[claudiustg]

It appears they are going for the total BS defence.

[princess leah]

I don't know all the facts in this case, but my mother is a diabetic and once when she was having a reaction, she was driving and hit someone (a retired cop) and drove on and he finally pulled her over 10 minutes later and I got called by the Police Dept and drove over to where she was. When I told them she was diabetic, the retired cop said that he thought that might have been the case because of the way she was driving! When a diabetic is in a reaction, they don't have any recollection or idea of what they are doing...

[areafiftyone]

Jeeze I am a diabetic and even I know you have to eat at certain times (whether you want to or not) or else you get a reaction. That is no excuse for what he did.

[cherry]

I agree.....he killed somebody, he should stop this circus and plead guilty....

[bird4four4]

This has got to be the weakest defense I've ever heard. Low sugar in the blood? Would high alcohol in the blood in the blood be an excuse? You are responsible when behind the wheel.

There was another case where an epiliptic had a seizure and hit a cop on the sidewalk. He's doing 18 years. But since this is a politician I'm sure they will make a special case for him.

[mewzilla]

Was he having a diabetic reaction when he received all those other tickets?

Can the prosecution now use his prior violations to rebut this excrement?

[diamondjoe]

I've been an insulin dependent diabetic for the past 24 years, ever since I was 5. I know from some experience that a low blood-sugar attack while driving does not cause you to speed up and drive aggressively...it causes you to get confused and slow down. Janklow has already testified to "gunning" his engine--this smells like a weak attempt to avoid prosecution. Shame on him.

[areafiftyone]

Thank you for saying that. Non-diabetics just don't understand what happens when we don't eat. But that shouldn't excuse him because he should have eaten. We JUST CAN'T GO WITHOUT EATING LIKE NORMAL PEOPLE. It makes us feel like babies!

[petercooper]

look at the size of the guy - he eats alright

[Yaelle]

On the radio this morning, they read a list of his moving violations over the past 10-20 years. Most years were full of violations. This man was a car accident waiting to happen. I was shocked at the list. I was also shocked to hear that the list would be kept from the courtroom. Some people just shouldn't drive.

[CobaltBlue]

Exhibit A, a Democrat politician, guilty, guilty, guilty!

Exhibit B, a Republican commentator, a poor victim of a political witch hunt.

Sheesh.

[cherry]

I would say that your mom should never have been behind the wheel....

If disease or drugs or alcohol can cause you to lose control of your vehicle, then you have no business driving, and at the least, should have very restricted driving priviledges...

I know that's severe, but look at the consequences....your mother could have killed several children, and I don't think knowing she had a diabetic reaction would have made anyone fell any better..

another point....most diabetics can sense when they are going into a reaction and keep candy in their pocket to prevent this...

[leadpencil1]

I had a splinter once when I killed someone. The other time is was because of a blister on my heel.

[mewzilla]

Does the state have a point system, accumulate so many points and lose your license? Why wasn't this guy's license yanked?

[EggsAckley]

I've had bouts of low blood sugar for many years, and have actually fainted twice from not eating. Both times I was in the process of getting food. I learned long ago that I MUST eat at regular intervals, especially in the morning. Janklow HAS to know this. His defense if ludicrous and contemptible.

[tacticalogic]

Janklow is a Pubbie. Doesn't speak too well that he's got the wee Rat testifying in his defense, tho.

[cherry]

I think the general consensus here is that Janklow,a Republican I believe, should take the consequences of his horrendous driving...

as far as Rush goes, freepers in general loathe his drug addiction, but anybody with a fraction of a brain can see that he is being persecuted now by the demonrat prosecutor...