Jury Foreman in Janklow Case Says Jurors Not Intimidated
We're very familiar with Gov. Janklow, Rep. Janklow. And we weren't intimidated by him. And we tried to treat it like it was our neighbor that was in an accident. Then it dawned on me. I think everybody else felt the same way. When we got picked, everyone was open-mouthed. Mr. Janklow's negligence in not taking care of himself, of not knowing the consequences of his diabetes ... carried enough weight that it became reckless on his part.
- Jim Mitchell
It would have been easy to be intimidated by Bill Janklow. Wealthy, successful, and powerful, Janklow was a hometown Flandreau boy who made it big- all the way to the halls of Congress. Along the way, though, Janklow developed a disturbing disregard for traffic laws. Most people might be ashamed of breaking the law, but to Janklow it was a point of pride, and something that he bragged and joked about on a regular basis. Indeed, it wouldn't be a stretch to say that Bill Janklow was an accident looking for a place to happen.
Finally, almost inevitably, that day came this past August 16th. One moment of stupidity and recklessness suddenly erased everything Janklow had accomplished in his political career. The truly sad thing is that none of this ever had to happen.
Janklow, who grew up in Flandreau, has been a force in South Dakota politics for 30 years. He was elected governor four times before entering Congress. The Republican resigned after being convicted Monday of manslaughter, reckless driving, running a stop sign and speeding in an Aug. 16 crash that killed motorcyclist Randy Scott, 55, of Hardwick, Minn.
Janklow, 64, will be sentenced Jan. 20. The manslaughter charge carries up to 10 years in prison. The conviction would have also prompted a House ethics committee investigation that could have led to his ouster from Congress.
What is most tragic about this is that Janklow has yet to own up to his irresponsibility and recklessness. Using his diabetes as a defense only made him look small, vulnerable, and uncaring. It's time that Janklow owned up to the fact that his actions are responsible for the death of Randy Scott. He will be doing some hard time, which is only fair under the circumstances. Perhaps if he had not been so cavalier about his penchant for collecting speeding tickets, he might have presented a more sympathetic figure.
It's time to get your affairs in order, Congressman. Where you're going, you're going to be out of touch for awhile- and deservedly so.
