Law
Judge tosses wrongful death suit against Janklow


A federal judge has dismissed a wrongful death suit against former Congressman and former South Dakota governor Bill Janklow.

Since Janklow was on official government business during the August 2003 accident that killed motorcyclist Randy Scott, he cannot be sued, the judge said. So Scott's family plans to sue the U.S. House of Representatives.

Janklow was convicted of felony manslaughter and served 100 days in jail. He is asking for the charge to be overturned.

Get the Story:
Federal judge dismisses suit against Janklow (AP 12/2)

Relevant Links:
Janklow/Scott Accident coverage, Sioux Falls Argus Leader - http://www.argusleader.com/specialsections/2003/janklowaccident
Janklow Accident/Trial coverage, Rapid City Journal - http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/news/janklow
Dakota-Lakota-Nakota Coalition - http://www.dlncoalition.org/home.htm

Related Stories:
Janklow asks court to clear manslaughter charge (11/17)
Janklow won't have to pay for role in traffic death (07/14)
Janklow stopped 16 times by police, never ticketed (06/30)
Janklow cites diabetes in manslaughter appeal (05/20)
Janklow greeted by supporters, protesters leaving jail (5/18)
Janklow's 100-day sentence for car accident is over (5/17)
Janklow gets 100 days for felony manslaughter (01/23)
Janklow to be sentenced for manslaughter (1/19)
Janklow loses request for acquittal in traffic death (01/14)
S.D. judge to hear Janklow's request for acquittal (1/13)
Opinion: Janklow's time should match the crime (12/15)
Native candidate wants shot at replacing Janklow (12/12)
Thune mulling decision on running for old seat (12/12)
Family deciding on civil lawsuit against Janklow (12/11)
Opinion: 'Wild Bill' got what was coming to him (12/10)
Flandreau leaders react to Janklow conviction (12/10)
Judge has discretion in sentencing Janklow (12/10)
Janklow found guilty of manslaughter (12/9)
Cheyenne River councilman: 'No excuse' for Janklow (12/9)
Election for S.D. House seat to be held June 1 (12/9)
Diabetics scoffed at Janklow's defense in trial (12/9)
On the stand, Janklow can't recall fatal accident (12/8)
Janklow expected to testify in manslaughter trial (12/5)
Janklow jury hears of 'similar acts' of speeding (12/4)
Videotape of Janklow post-accident played for jury (12/3)
S.D. jury selected for Janklow manslaughter trial (12/2)
Janklow manslaughter trial begins in S.D. (12/1)
Janklow raises diabetes defense in fatal accident (11/26)
Janklow links diabetes to fatal car accident (11/21)
Janklow enters not gulity plea in manslaughter case (09/29)
Janklow set to enter plea on manslaughter charge (9/26)
Bush: Janklow's fatal accident was 'unintentional' (09/17)
Janklow disconnects his home phone line in D.C. (9/16)
Russell Means: Power 'got the best' of Janklow (09/08)
Janklow still hasn't been booked for fatal crash (9/3)
Janklow to appear in court on manslaughter charges (9/2)
Janklow has no plans to resign from Congress (9/1)
Janklow charged with second-degree manslaughter (8/29)
Poll: Janklow should resign if charged for fatal crash (8/29)
Police: Janklow broke speed limit in fatal crash (8/21)
Janklow expects to be charged for fatal accident (8/20)
S.D. police investigating Janklow for fatal crash (8/19)
Race study confirms disparity (10/28)
State disputes 'illegal jurisdiction' of tribe (10/10)