Victim's family hasn't heard from Janklow

By Carson Walker, Associated Press Writer | Monday, September 29, 2003

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SIOUX FALLS - U.S. Rep. Bill Janklow told reporters he "couldn't be sorrier" for an accident that killed motorcyclist Randy Scott, but he has not spoken with Scott's family members, according to their lawyer.

"There's been no direct contact between Mr. Janklow and the Scott family," Terry Vajgrt of Luverne, Minn., said Tuesday.

The 55-year-old Scott, of Hardwick, Minn., collided with the car that Janklow was driving Aug. 16 near Trent. Scott died at the scene.

Janklow's next court date is Friday, and Scott's family members have not decided whether they will attend, Vajgrt said.

"I think they're uncertain at this point," he said.

Though Moody County State's Attorney Bill Ellingson won't talk to reporters about the case, he does keep the family updated, Vajgrt said.

"Mr. Ellingson meets with the family periodically and has done an outstanding job of keeping the family informed," he said.

Scott's mother, Marcella Scott, issued a release Monday saying the family would still like to hear more from Janklow, who met with reporters for the first time since the crash.

"While Mr. Janklow's regret is no doubt sincere, we had hoped for more honesty about the cause of Randy's death," she wrote.

Janklow, 64, is charged with second-degree manslaughter, which is a felony, and three misdemeanors.

According to court documents filed Monday, Janklow waived his right to a preliminary hearing scheduled for Thursday and Friday in Flandreau. So instead of a judge deciding whether there is enough evidence for him to stand trial, he is now set to be arraigned Friday.

People accused of felonies must appear in person at arraignments and may enter pleas to the charges against them. Judges may use arraignments to set trial dates. They may also establish schedules for pretrial motions and set deadlines for plea agreements.If plea agreements are reached, prosecutors must provide crime victims or the next of kin with an opportunity to comment on the terms of those agreements.

In addition to manslaughter, which has a maximum punishment of 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine, Janklow is charged with reckless driving, speeding and running a stop sign.