Janklow Appeals Convictions

PIERRE, S.D., May 19 -- Former congressman William J. Janklow, who was released on Monday after spending 100 days in jail, asked the South Dakota Supreme Court on Wednesday to overturn his convictions in a fatal traffic crash last summer.

His lawyers said in written arguments that Janklow did not receive a fair trial because the judge allowed prejudicial evidence about his bad driving record. They also said that Janklow's diabetes was a factor in the crash.

Janklow was convicted in December of second-degree manslaughter and reckless driving in the August death of a motorcyclist at a rural intersection.

Janklow's attorneys want his convictions set aside and the charges dismissed, or for a new trial to be held. The attorney general's office has until July 7 to respond to the appeal.

Janklow, a Republican who also served four terms as governor, resigned from Congress just hours after his convictions.