Representative Will Mortenson (R-24/Pierre), who lives one mile from killer Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg’s house, has filed two articles of impeachment against Ravnsborg for the House to consider during today’s Special Session. Mortenson’s 2021i House Resolution 7002 acknowledges that the House should exercise impeachment “only… in grave and exceptional circumstances” and contends that the Attorney General’s crimes and malfeasance in office, established by “an extensive record of documentary evidence,” are sufficiently grave and exceptional to merit impeachment.
2021i HR 7002 specifies these two articles:
Article I: Crimes Causing the Death of Joseph Boever
S.D. Const., Art. XVI, § 3 provides that the House of Representatives may impeach “state and judicial officers,” for “drunkenness, crimes, corrupt conduct, or malfeasance or misdemeanors in office.”
Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg committed crimes causing the death of Joseph Boever, specifically:
(1) On the evening of September 12, 2020, Attorney General Ravnsborg failed to operate his vehicle within its proper lane, crossed outside such lane, diverted his attention from the road, and struck pedestrian and Highmore, South Dakota, resident Joseph Boever;
(2) Joseph Boever died immediately from the collision; and
(3) Attorney General Ravnsborg pleaded no contest and was found guilty of two separate crimes, including illegal lane change, the crime that caused the death of Joseph Boever.
Wherefore, this Article of Impeachment for crimes causing the death of Joseph Boever is hereby adopted, and Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg must face trial for impeachment in the Senate of the State of South Dakota pursuant to S.D. Const., Art. XVI, § 2.
Article II: Malfeasance in Office Following the Death of Joseph Boever
S.D. Const., Art. XVI, § 3 provides that the House of Representatives may impeach “state and judicial officers,” for “drunkenness, crimes, corrupt conduct, or malfeasance or misdemeanors in office.” Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg committed malfeasance in office following the death of Joseph Boever.
Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg committed the following wrongful deeds:
(1) Immediately following the collision, Attorney General Ravnsborg identified himself by his official title and made a direct misrepresentation to the dispatch officer, misleading first responders as to the crime he had just committed;
(2) During the investigation, Attorney General Ravnsborg made numerous misrepresentations and misstatements of fact to law enforcement and to the public regarding his conduct surrounding his criminal acts; and
(3) Attorney General Ravnsborg used assets of the Office of the Attorney General to benefit himself personally with respect to the investigation into his criminal activity.
Wherefore, the foregoing wrongful deeds amount to malfeasance in office as provided in S.D. Const., Art. XVI, § 3. Accordingly, this Article of Impeachment for malfeasance in office following the death of Joseph Boever is adopted, and Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg must face trial in the Senate of the State of South Dakota pursuant to S.D. Const., Art. XVI, § 2 [2021i HR 7002, filed 2022.04.11].
“[A]s a result of his criminal acts and his wrongful deeds,” reads HR 7002, “Attorney General Ravnsborg has lost the faith of law enforcement, the executive branch, and the people of South Dakota.”
The House convenes at 11 a.m. Central today to consider HR 7002 and any other matters related to impeachment raised by its members. The Special Session will stream live online via the Legislative Research Council and South Dakota Public Broadcasting.
This reminds me of when the pharisees impeached Jesus for driving violations.
— me imitating Odenbach
Fred Deutsch wants to strike the second article, on malfeasance in office, from HR 7002.
I say no. Put both articles before the Senate, let the Senate try them.
House just voted 36–31 to impeach Jason Ravnsborg. None of the 31 nays spoke against impeachment. several of the Ayes spoke forcefully for. No reason was given aloud on the floor for not impeaching Ravnsborg.
Under Article 16 Section 5, Ravnsborg is suspended from his official duties until and unless the Senate acquits him.
28 Republicans voted for impeachment. 31 voted against. 3 Republicans did not attend today’s Session. All 8 Democrats voted to impeach.
More Republicans voted to save Ravnsborg’s sorry hide than to impeach him. If we did not have Democrats in the House, the House likely would have let Ravnsborg off the hook.
Speaking in favor of impeachment today: Reps. Mortenson, Cwach, Fitzgerald, Goodwin, York, Lesmeister, and Duba. Four Republicans, three Democrats.
Is there any reason to believe the Senate will actually get the 2/3’s necessary? The fact that the house vote was this close is just flat out nuts to me.
The Republican overlords have their own taste of reality.
Impeachment should have happened in 2020.
Hes guilty in court and guilty in the house. Hope the Senate can do the right thing.
Feudalism. One party rule. Time to stop the one party or 2 party system.
IMO, we must wait to see what Corey Lewandowski says to NOem as to how the senate will vote. The sooner Ravnsborg is out of the picture, the sooner Marty Jackley will be confirmed again as attorney general for his governor in waiting trip to the alter.