FORT PIERRE, S.D. — South Dakota’s attorney general has pleaded no contest to a pair of misdemeanor charges in the death of a pedestrian last year.
Jason Ravnsborg’s attorney Timothy Rensch entered the pleas for his client Thursday to charges of making an illegal lane change and using a phone while driving. Ravnsborg was not present at today’s hearing.
Judge John Brown denied a request by Rensch for a suspended imposition of sentence and ordered Ravnsborg to pay $500 on each of two misdemeanor counts. He also ordered Ravnsborg to pay assorted court costs and restitution of just over $3,000. Ravnsborg will serve no jail time.
The Attorney General was also ordered to do a significant public service event regarding distracted driving around the time he struck and killed Mr. Boever.
Boever’s family members complained bitterly before Ravnsborg was sentenced that the law didn’t provide stiff enough punishment for the attorney general, whom they accused of arrogance ever since the crash that killed Boever.
Members of Boever’s family have indicated they plan to file a wrongful death lawsuit against Ravnsborg.
