The South Dakota Senate on Tuesday approved the rules for an impeachment trial of the state’s attorney general for his conduct surrounding a 2020 fatal car crash. This lays out a two-day proceeding in June that gives just hours to either side to argue their case.
Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg was impeached by the House earlier this month over the crash in which he killed a pedestrian but initially said he may have struck a deer or other large animal. The Senate trial, which will decide whether he is guilty of the House impeachment charges, is historic since Ravnsborg is the first official to be impeached in South Dakota.
The trial’s rules received unanimous approval in the Republican-controlled Senate. They give both the impeachment prosecutors and Ravnsborg’s defense attorney one hour for an opening statement, four hours to present evidence, and one hour to close their arguments. Senators may take additional time to ask additional questions, debate the articles of impeachment and hear directly from Ravnsborg if he chooses to testify. The trial starts on June 21st.
