Janklow tearfully takes stand in his manslaughter trial
In the case of Rep Bill Janklow (R-SD), being wealthy and powerful means never having to say your sorry- even when your reckless disregard for the law is responsible for the death of an innocent motorcyclist. Now he is heavily engaged in trying to spin his guilt as being caused by a medical reaction. To quote the immortal John Stossel: "Give me a break...."
FLANDREAU, S.D. -- U.S. Rep. Bill Janklow took the stand as the final defense witness at his manslaughter trial Saturday, 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 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 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.
Sorry, Bill, but you are the same person with a history of speeding tickets. Indeed, you have often boasted about the number of tickets you have received over the years. Clearly, you have an established history of disregard for traffic laws. Now your reckeless disregard for such laws has cost an innocent man his life. No amount of spinning or lawyerly bleating will change that fact.
Don't you think it's time to own up to the consequences of your recklessness? Be man enough to admit that your actions are responsible for the death of Randy Scott. All your machinations are accomplishing is making you look like the weasel you apparently are.
There is a place for people like you, Rep. Janklow. It's called "prison", and you belong there. Perhaps doing some hard time as someone's "girlfriend" will convince you that you are NOT above the law. Perhaps then Randy Scott's family will finally be able to say that justice has been served.
