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CNN Live At Daybreak
South Dakota Congressman Bill Janklow Will Resign from House
Aired December 09, 2003 - 05:06 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: South Dakota Congressman Bill Janklow will resign from the House following his manslaughter conviction. His resignation will take effect on January 20, the day of his sentencing.
In his resignation letter, Janklow says, "Because of present circumstances, I will be unable to perform the duties incumbent upon me in representing the people of South Dakota."
CNN's Kris Osborn takes a look at the case and the jury's decision.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KRIS OSBORN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Congressman Bill Janklow walked down the steps of the courtroom moments after the verdict was read. The jury's decision was obvious by the somber look in his eye. Janklow was found guilty Monday night of second degree manslaughter. Police say he drove his Cadillac at 70 miles per hour through a stop sign this past August, smashing into and killing 55- year-old motorcyclist Randy Scott.
The Moody County jury took less than five hours to reach its decision -- guilty on all counts, second degree manslaughter, speeding, running a stop sign and reckless driving.
Also quiet leaving the courtroom, Randy Scott's family. Marcella Scott, Randy's mother, released a statement after the verdict saying, "We are satisfied that the correct verdict was reached. The cause of Randy's death is no longer in dispute."
But defense attorneys had argued that Janklow was disoriented, due to low blood sugar this time. Janklow is diabetic and the defense claimed he had not eaten in 18 hours prior to the crash.
During the trial, Janklow expressed remorse.
REP. WILLIAM JANKLOW (R), SOUTH DAKOTA: I'm 64 years old and I've never dealt with anything -- you can't prepare in life to deal with the enormity of what I'm dealing with and what I've put other people through.
OSBORN: Prosecutors, however, dismissed this defense, saying Janklow was speeding at the time of the crash and that he had received 13 traffic citations since 1990. Over his long political career, Janklow was known to boast about his speeding. Once considered one of South Dakota's most significant public officials, Janklow now faces a possible 10 year prison term and $10,000 in fines. The penalty phase is set for January 20.
Kris Osborn, CNN, Atlanta.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
House>
Aired December 9, 2003 - 05:06 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: South Dakota Congressman Bill Janklow will resign from the House following his manslaughter conviction. His resignation will take effect on January 20, the day of his sentencing.
In his resignation letter, Janklow says, "Because of present circumstances, I will be unable to perform the duties incumbent upon me in representing the people of South Dakota."
CNN's Kris Osborn takes a look at the case and the jury's decision.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KRIS OSBORN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Congressman Bill Janklow walked down the steps of the courtroom moments after the verdict was read. The jury's decision was obvious by the somber look in his eye. Janklow was found guilty Monday night of second degree manslaughter. Police say he drove his Cadillac at 70 miles per hour through a stop sign this past August, smashing into and killing 55- year-old motorcyclist Randy Scott.
The Moody County jury took less than five hours to reach its decision -- guilty on all counts, second degree manslaughter, speeding, running a stop sign and reckless driving.
Also quiet leaving the courtroom, Randy Scott's family. Marcella Scott, Randy's mother, released a statement after the verdict saying, "We are satisfied that the correct verdict was reached. The cause of Randy's death is no longer in dispute."
But defense attorneys had argued that Janklow was disoriented, due to low blood sugar this time. Janklow is diabetic and the defense claimed he had not eaten in 18 hours prior to the crash.
During the trial, Janklow expressed remorse.
REP. WILLIAM JANKLOW (R), SOUTH DAKOTA: I'm 64 years old and I've never dealt with anything -- you can't prepare in life to deal with the enormity of what I'm dealing with and what I've put other people through.
OSBORN: Prosecutors, however, dismissed this defense, saying Janklow was speeding at the time of the crash and that he had received 13 traffic citations since 1990. Over his long political career, Janklow was known to boast about his speeding. Once considered one of South Dakota's most significant public officials, Janklow now faces a possible 10 year prison term and $10,000 in fines. The penalty phase is set for January 20.
Kris Osborn, CNN, Atlanta.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
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