By Carleen Wild
Moody County Enterprise
“The trial will move forward as scheduled.”
Circuit Court Judge Scott L. Myren offered that ruling this past week as he denied a motion for continuance in the case of State of South Dakota v. Joseph Hoek. The move clears the way for a long-anticipated trial tied to the 2024 death of Moody County Chief Deputy Sheriff Ken Prorok.
Hoek is accused of striking and killing Prorok during a high-speed chase that began in Madison and continued along Highway 34 near Colman. Authorities say Prorok had deployed a spike strip in an effort to stop Hoek’s vehicle as it approached the Interstate 29 interchange.
Defense attorneys argued they needed additional time to prepare for the case, citing Hoek’s complex mental health history and the demands of a potential death penalty phase, including the use of expert witnesses and mitigation specialists.
The court disagreed, ruling that more than two years had provided sufficient time for preparation and emphasizing the need to move the case forward. The judge noted that while a defendant’s constitutional rights are paramount, delays can also impact victims’ rights, adding that “justice delayed is justice denied.”
The trial, previously moved from Moody County to Pennington County, is scheduled to begin with jury selection on Sept. 21, 2026, followed by opening statements on Sept. 29. The proceedings are expected to last up to five weeks.
“We felt that over two years had been available for defense to prepare their case,” Jackley said. “We felt strongly that this case is at a point in time that it’s ready for trial, and that the victims deserve that opportunity to seek justice.”
Moody County Sheriff Troy Wellman echoed that sentiment, on behalf of his office as well as Prorok’s family.
“We’re ready to see it go to trial, and not keep having it continued,” Wellman said. “We want to make sure that he’s given his rights just as much as we, as victims, feel like we’re entitled to the rights that we have.”
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