South Dakota prosecutors charged a Sioux Falls man on Monday with first-degree homicide and aggravated eluding within the demise of a deputy who was struck whereas placing out spikes throughout a police chase.
Joseph Gene Hoek, 40, was ordered held with out bail at his first court docket look within the demise of Moody County Chief Deputy Ken Prorok, 51, of Wentworth, who died through the pursuit on Friday.
KELO-TV
The homicide cost carries a most sentence of demise or life with out parole, officers mentioned.
Folks near Hoek described him as being on a “downward spiral” marked by drug use and escalating threats of violence, Particular Agent Jeffrey Kollars of the South Dakota Division of Legal Investigation wrote in a court docket submitting dated Sunday.
South Dakota Lawyer Basic Marty Jackley is prosecuting the case himself. He mentioned he nonetheless wants to analyze any mitigating elements, then sit down with Prorok’s household, after which with the sheriff and his deputies, earlier than deciding whether or not to hunt the demise penalty.
“I consider the lawyer basic ought to lead from the entrance and I’ve at all times tried to try this,” Jackley informed The Related Press. “Particularly when it includes a legislation enforcement officer that gave the last word sacrifice.”
Hoek’s lawyer, Manuel De Castro, informed AP his preliminary impression is that Hoek was “overcharged,” and that “there are some psychological well being points that have to be explored.” However he mentioned he is nonetheless gathering info.
“I do know it is an emotional case for everyone concerned. However we’ll go from there,” he mentioned.
Kollars wrote that Madison police responded Friday afternoon to a name a few man, recognized as Hoek, making “homicidal threats” close to the enterprise the place the caller labored. Police noticed his automotive and tried to cease him, however Hoek sped off on Freeway 34 towards Interstate 29, in line with the agent.
The chase reached 115 mph. Prorok stopped to deploy cease spikes throughout Freeway 34. However a witness mentioned he noticed the approaching automotive deliberately swerve and strike the chief deputy earlier than it went into the ditch and flipped, the agent wrote. Hoek ran off on foot.
In accordance with court docket paperwork, the witness tried to present Prorok first-aid till legislation enforcement may get there, CBS affiliate KELO-TV reported. As soon as officers arrived, the witness ran after Hoek and held him till authorities caught up.
“My heartfelt thanks to that witness. I do know who you’re, I recognize what you probably did,” Moody County Sheriff Troy Wellman mentioned, in line with KELO.
Prorock died on the scene. Hoek was checked at a hospital however was not critically damage.
Kollars wrote that he interviewed Hoek after he waived his proper to stay silent. The agent wrote that Hoek informed him he had gone to the enterprise to gather from the caller, who he mentioned owed him cash.
“When Hoek was informed {that a} Deputy Sheriff was killed by his actions and choices, he responded that he did not consider me,” the agent wrote. However Hoek had claimed that he has issues with nervousness and panic assaults that generally have an effect on his reminiscence, the agent mentioned.
Investigators who searched the automotive discovered suspected THC vapes, suspected marijuana paraphernalia and “blunts,” and containers of chilly medication, the agent wrote. Outdoors the automotive they discovered an obvious bong and an unopened bottle of liquor, he mentioned.
When requested about medicine, Hoek informed authorities he suffered from ache and that he had obtained the prescription narcotic ache reliever hydrocodone on some emergency room visits. However he mentioned many medical doctors denied him the medicines he wished. He mentioned he had used medical marijuana for nervousness “days prior” and had been prescribed the anti-anxiety drug Xanax however could not recall the final time he used it.
Hoek additionally mentioned he had been kicked out of a number of relations’ houses however didn’t specify why.
The one who known as police informed investigators Hoek had been a “household buddy” who “began scaring him” and “began performing bizarre these days,” which led the individual to acquire no-contact and no-trespass orders final month, the agent wrote.
Hoek’s mom informed investigators that she believed her son “was affected by psychological well being points and was self-medicating,” however was sensible sufficient to idiot psychological well being professionals who evaluated him, so he would get launched shortly with no assist. She additionally mentioned he was hooked on dextromethorphan, a cough medication that’s generally abused.
One individual mentioned Hoek’s “downward spiral” escalated after she obtained an order for defense towards him final month and that he turned “more and more bodily violent,” the agent wrote.
“These costs are based mostly on the proof together with that set forth within the possible trigger affidavit,” Jackley mentioned in a press release. “Our ideas and prayers stay with Chief Deputy Prorok’s household. I recognize the diligent investigation performed by the State Division of Legal Investigation, the Freeway Patrol, and native legislation enforcement companies.”