Bill Janklow
William J. Janklow (born September 13, 1939) is a Republican party politican from the western American state of South Dakota.
Janklow was born in Chicago, Illinois. He served in the US Marine Corps 1956 to 1959. He graduated from the University of South Dakota in 1964 and received a law degree in 1966. During his career he served as South Dakota's attorney general (1975-1979), as well as four terms as its governor (1979- 1987) and (1995-2003). In the 2002 U.S. national election, Janklow was elected to South Dakota's only United States House of Representatives seat.
On August 16, 2003, Janklow was involved in a traffic accident when his car was hit by motorcyclist Randolph E. Scott. Scott was thrown from his vehicle and instantly killed. In the ensuing investigation of the accident, it was determined Janklow had been driving 20 miles per hour above the speed limit, and that he had run a stop sign at the intersection where the collision occurred.
On August 29, 2003, Janklow was charged with second-degree manslaughter, which carries a maximum 10-year prison term and a $10,000 fine if convicted.
He was also charged with failure to stop, speeding, and reckless driving. The first two charges carry a maximum penalty of 30 days in jail and a $200 fine. The top penalty for reckless driving is one year in jail and a $1,000 fine.
