Current:Home > InvestSouth Dakota prosecutors to seek death penalty for man charged with killing deputy during a pursuit-DB Wealth Institute B2 Reviews & Ratings
South Dakota prosecutors to seek death penalty for man charged with killing deputy during a pursuit
lotradecoin roadmap View Date:2024-12-26 04:03:50
FLANDREAU, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota prosecutors will seek the death penalty for a Sioux Falls man charged in the death of a deputy who was struck while putting out spikes during a police chase.
The South Dakota Attorney General’s office filed an official notice Wednesday announcing it will seek the penalty for Joseph Gene Hoek, 40, in the death of Moody County Chief Deputy Ken Prorok, 51, of Wentworth, who died during the pursuit on Feb. 2.
Hoek pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges of first-degree murder and aggravated eluding. Hoek’s attorneys said they plan to seek a mental health evaluation of their client and will consider entering a plea of insanity to the charges.
Attorney General Marty Jackley said he made the death penalty decision after reviewing the circumstances and meeting with the victim’s family and the sheriff who were at Wednesday’s hearing. Jackley said the fact that Prorok was killed in the line of duty and that it happened while Hoek was trying to evade arrest made the crime worthy of the death penalty.
When he was charged, investigators described Hoek as being on a “downward spiral” marked by drug use and escalating threats of violence.
The pursuit started after officers responded to a call about a man, identified as Hoek, making “homicidal threats” near the business where the caller worked. Police spotted his car and tried to stop him, but Hoek sped off on Highway 34 toward Interstate 29, Special Agent Jeffrey Kollars of the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation wrote in a court filing.
The chase reached 115 mph (185 kph). Prorok stopped to deploy stop spikes across Highway 34. But a witness said he saw the approaching car intentionally swerve and strike the chief deputy before it went into the ditch and flipped, the agent wrote. Hoek ran off on foot. The witness followed Hoek, ran him down and detained Hoek until officers arrived.
veryGood! (7)
Related
- Drugs to treat diabetes, heart disease and blood cancers among those affected by price negotiations
- 2 killed when a small plane headed to South Carolina crashes in Virginia, police say
- Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky Bring Their Love and Thunder to 2024 Met Gala
- Georgia’s attorney general says Savannah overstepped in outlawing guns in unlocked cars
- Justice Department defends Boeing plea deal against criticism by 737 Max crash victims’ families
- Randy Travis shocks industry with new AI-assisted track. How it happened
- Tom Brady roast on Netflix: 12 best burns* of NFL legend, Bill Belichick and Patriots
- Teacher Appreciation Week 2024: Freebies, deals, discounts for educators, plus gift ideas
- How you can get a free scoop of ice cream at Baskin Robbins Wednesday
- Suspect in custody after video recorded him hopping into a police cruiser amid gunfire
Ranking
- CPI report for July is out: What does latest data mean for the US economy?
- Tom Stoltman wins World's Strongest Man competition for third time in four years
- What is the 2024 Met Gala theme? Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion, explained
- Tom Brady’s Netflix roast features lots of humor, reunion between Robert Kraft and Bill Belichick
- Britney Spears' Ex Sam Asghari Reveals Special Girl in His Life—But It's Not What You Think
- Boy Scout volunteer sentenced to 22 years for hiding cameras in bathrooms in Missouri
- Zendaya, Bad Bunny, Jennifer Lopez, Chris Hemsworth and More Attend Marvelous Pre-Met Gala 2024 Dinner
- Tanzania hit by power blackouts as Cyclone Hidaya strengthens toward country's coastline
Recommendation
-
Sofía Vergara Responds After Joe Manganiello Says Her Reason for Divorce Is “Not True”
-
3 surprising ways to hedge against inflation
-
Canadian police made 3 arrests in slaying of Sikh separatist leader
-
Powerball winning numbers for May 4: Jackpot rises to $203 million
-
Red Cross blood inventory plummets 25% in July, impacted by heat and record low donations
-
Rotting bodies and fake ashes spur Colorado lawmakers to pass funeral home regulations
-
Horoscopes Today, May 4, 2024
-
Steward Health Care files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy