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.
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.
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