Costs climb in Hoek case

Taxpayers likely to share burden

By Carleen Wild
Moody County Enterprise

As the death penalty case against Joseph Hoek in the 2024 killing of Moody County Chief Deputy Sheriff Ken Prorok moves toward a jury trial this fall, attention briefly shifted this past week to the growing cost of the case — and who will pay for it.
County officials said expenses have continued to climb as the case stretches on.
Moody County had budgeted funds this year in anticipation of a trial, knowing additional costs were likely. But that estimate has fallen short as the defense has sought delays and added expert witnesses in preparation for a potential death penalty phase.
Costs tied to the case include expert witness fees, legal expenses, added security, inmate housing and transportation, along with other needs associated with relocating the trial to Pennington County.
To date, the county has spent $408,058 on the case, covering investigations, additional staffing and court-related costs.
Some relief may be available through a state fund designed to help counties cover major court expenses, but officials say that funding is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and is not guaranteed. As a result, much of the financial burden could ultimately fall on local taxpayers.
County commissioners are also expected to take up discussion in the coming weeks on whether to implement a new county sales tax option tied to recent state property tax relief legislation. A brief discussion was had this past week about Senate Bill 96, passed during the 2026 legislative session, which allows counties to impose up to a 0.5% gross receipts tax, with revenues required to go toward reducing property taxes for owner-occupied homes.
The decision, left up to each county, would require adoption through an ordinance process. Commissioners indicated this past week they plan to weigh the potential benefits against the costs in one of their next meetings, noting that a local sales tax could allow visitors to help offset a portion of the county’s property tax burden. More on what that might look like, and the commissioners’ decision, in a future edition of the Moody County Enterprise.