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Defense raises health question in lawmaker's manslaughter trial
By Associated Press
Published December 6, 2003
FLANDREAU, S.D. - Rep. Bill Janklow appears to have had symptoms consistent with a diabetic reaction before his deadly collision with a motorcyclist, an expert testified Friday during the congressman's manslaughter trial.
Dr. Fred Lovrien said he was initially skeptical about a medical defense, but after examining Janklow, reviewing his medical records and discussing his activities in the hours before the crash, he concluded it was possible Janklow had been suffering from low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia.
Janklow may not have felt the early symptoms because it was hot when he spoke at an event that morning and because he had had an angry exchange with a heckler, said Lovrien, who examined Janklow two months after the crash.
The defense hopes to prove that Janklow's diabetes was at fault when the congressman sped through a stop sign, putting his Cadillac into the path of motorcyclist Randy Scott, who died after hitting the car.
Prosecutors argue that Janklow made a conscious decision to speed and ignore the stop sign.
Ellyson had Lovrien read from documents that showed Janklow was twice trained on how to control diabetes.
"I do think as diabetics we need to be personally responsible," Lovrien said in response to a question from Ellyson.
Two neurosurgeons who testified Friday for the defense said it would be wise not to believe what Janklow said after the accident, when he said he swerved because of another car.
Dr. Michael Puumala said Janklow "hit his head hard" when the motorcycle struck his car and would have trouble thinking.
The former four-term governor and only congressman from South Dakota could face up to 10 years in prison and a House ethics committee investigation if convicted of second-degree manslaughter.
Testimony in the case was set to continue today.
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