State seeks Death Penalty for Hoek

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South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announced Wednesday that the state has filed its notice to seek the death penalty in the First Degree Murder case against Joseph Gene Hoek (Hook) of Sioux Falls, for the Feb. 2nd death of Moody County Chief Deputy Sheriff Ken Prorok (Pro-Rock).

Jackley said a number of factors led to the decision to pursue the death penalty.

Hoek pleaded not guilty to the charge of First Degree Murder, as well as one count of aggravated eluding. Hoek’s defense attorneys do reserve the right to consider a change of plea, after the completion of a Mental Health Competency Evaluation.

Jackley said the timeline for when a trial could begin is unclear.