No one ever accused former South Dakota Gov. Bill Janklow of being a shrinking violet. But this time his legendary combativeness is woefully misplaced.
Janklow, also a former congressman, is appealing his manslaughter and reckless driving convictions to the South Dakota Supreme Court. He started serving a 100-day sentence last month after being found guilty for causing the death in August of motorcyclist Randy Scott of Hardwick, Minn. Janklow ran a stop sign at high speed near Trent, S.D.
Now the state's most colorful living political figure apparently believes the relatively light sentence and fine ($5,750) he received are too much. He also wants the high court to put his sentence on hold during the appeal process.
Janklow's apparent disdain for a legal system in which he made his reputation is astonishing.
Not only was he handed a more-than-fair sentence -- some would say far too light -- he also lost a bid last month for a new trial. In January his request to toss out the manslaughter conviction was rejected.
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His appeal effort is further tarnished because he appointed every member of the high court that will hear his case. While the justices might be quite able to be impartial, the hint of impropriety or cronyism can damage the court's credibility.
Janklow, a former prosecutor known for his no-nonsense law-and-order philosophy, apparently doesn't apply his own standards to himself. Fact is, when he was an active prosecutor, he would not have settled for the light penalty he received. He would have prosecuted a speeder who killed another person to the full limits of South Dakota law. He would have demanded the maximum sentence. He would have railed against a judiciary that was "soft on crime."
There is no question of Janklow's guilt. Even he does not dispute his culpability in Scott's death. Yet, he persists in trying to exploit the legal system. His image and reputation have been damaged enough. Now he is actively undermining what good remains of his legacy as one of South Dakota's political giants. It's a pathetic display of ego and arrogance.
Forum editorials represent the opinion of Forum management and the newspaper's Editorial Board
