Janklow expects to be charged

UPI ^ | 08-20-03

[Brian S]

The Republican congressman's son, Russ Janklow, said his father expects to be charged in the weekend crash that killed Randy E. Scott, 55, of Hardwick, Minn., the Sioux Falls Argus Leader reported.

In a written statement, Moody County State's Attorney Bill Ellingson said the speed of Janklow's vehicle has not been determined but, he said, the 1995 Cadillac DeVille traveled about 300 feet after impact.

[Guillermo]

Janklow did not immediately seek medical treatment but complained of head pain later and was given a CAT scan

If he hurries and puts on a neck brace ala Ted Kennedy, and gives a teary press conference complaining about his pain, maybe he'll get a pass...

[Gritty]

If he hurries and puts on a neck brace ala Ted Kennedy, and gives a teary press conference complaining about his pain, maybe he'll get a pass...

Fuggedaboudit! This is a conserative Republican we're talking about here.

Janklow's toast.

[mystery-ak]

There's always the *brakes failed* excuse...

[af_vet_1981]

Do you want him to get a pass ?
I certainly don't.
I want him to resign from Congress.

[Lord_Baltar]

Forgive my ignorance on this one, but has Janklow issued any statement regarding the accident, or to the family of the victim?

What do they have on him that would allow them to charge him? It the accident his fault?

I heard about the accident right after it happened, but I haven't followed it.

[The Great RJ]

District Attorney released today that Janklow ran a stop sign.--Speed is also likely involved as he finished a speaking engagement 175 miles away little more than two hours before the accident and also admitted to making a stop to visit with family during that time as well --you figure what an average speed would have to be to make that schedule. Reports today also revealed that his Cadillac continued 300 ft after impacting --that's the length of a football field.

He ought to be political toast that kind of recklessness.

[Paraclete]

This is a real tragedy for everyone involved. Janklow is one of the few straight shooting politicians around. The man killed typified the spirit of small Midwestern communities.

A careless moment can have huge consequences. In the case of both men, it could happen to any of us.

[happygrl]

It the accident his fault?

See post #7 for a good analysis.

[Lord_Baltar]

300 FEET?!?!?!?!?

Ah, the man is in serious trouble...

I don't think any thinking person could say charging him would be a smear on a Conservative, versus just prosecuting a Law Breaker.

Think about how fast he must have been moving...

"Gee Honey, was that a speed bump....?"

"No Dear, I think you hit a large can of Tomato Juice..."

[wimpycat]

They can check his brakes. That excuse won't fly.

Nope...his political career may survive, after a fashion, depending on how he handles this (and with lots and lots of luck), but legally he's screwed. He was careless, and somebody else is dead. It doesn't matter that he didn't "mean" to do it. A split second of inattention on our part can cost someone else his life.

I wonder if the "300 feet after impact" that he traveled means there were 300 feet of skid marks, or is that where his car was when the police found it? 300 feet of skid marks AFTER impact suggests he was going pretty fast. I wonder if there were any skid marks before impact.

(I'm unfortunately familiar with how post-accident investigations involving a fatality are carried out. It's all pretty scientific and high-tech stuff. Even without the computer in his car, they can measure the skid marks against the weight of his vehicle and tell how fast he was going.)

I wonder if SD is a contributory state? In NC, if the other party is even 1% contributory (for instance, if the dead person was also doing something he ought not to have been doing), then it cuts way down on the liability of the at-fault person. Of course, in real life, with the other party being dead, and the survivor being a high-profile politician, Janklow is still legally screwed.

[ancientart]

Janklow's brief comments to the victim's family are toward the end of the article here:

http://www.aberdeennews.com/mld/aberdeennews/news/6566617.htm

[Lord_Baltar]

Thank you ancient!

[Torie]

Elsewhere, it was suggested the Janklow was driving over a 100 miles per hour. We shall see. He is going to jail.

[Trident/Delta]

In an interesting sidenote, I was in Rapid City SD yesterday, working for a client (I am a private investigator) I was taking some pictures of a facility (injury invrstigation) and a Yukon SUV cruises into the parking lot and A guy gets out and gives me the evil eye. He puts on his suitcoat and goes into the Janklow office.

I didn't give it much thought, inasmuch as I ride a motorcycle and was sitting on it taking pictures, I am used to having odd looks. It wasn't until later that I saw a picture of Janklow and heard the story that I understood how a sinister looking guy (well, maybe amusing)sitting on a motorcycle taking pictures (but not of him) could give him cause to be nervous.

Whatever happens, I thought that it was an interesting event.

Semper Fi

[Lord_Baltar]

After a brief day of looking at what's known so far about this, I think you may be right about Janklow's upcoming fate.

Let's hope he does the right thing, and resigns his office, instead of making everyone sit through his "Perp Walk" replayed on ALL the news outlets, over and over and over and over again...