SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Court documents say the Sioux Falls man, accused of killing Moody County Chief Deputy Ken Prorok last year has a history of violence and threats. Joseph Hoek is accused of purposely running down Prorok during a chase on Feb. 2, 2024.
When he goes on trial, prosecutors want jurors to know what led up to the crime, and they believe some of that evidence dates back years. Prosecutors have filed several motions ahead of Hoek’s next court appearance. Some of the documents detail the evidence the state wants to present at trial, including what happened leading up to Prorok’s death.
Just hours before a chase in Lake and Moody counties, court documents say Hoek went to an apartment complex in southern Sioux Falls where a manager had an active protection order against him. He allegedly used a large knife to slash tires on 12 vehicles and violated an active protection order.
Prosecutors also want to inform jurors about past police reports and court filings. One motion says Hoek has been making statements about killing others for years and has had a pattern of escalating behavior toward other people. The filing says that in 2021, Hoek made threats against a Sioux Falls clinic, which led to a lockdown and a protection order.
Prosecutors also want jurors to know about homicidal voicemail and threats to kill members of his own family. Prosecutors say it’s necessary to let jurors know about Hoek’s past behaviors because that information is, quote, “relevant to his intent, motive, and lack of accident when he killed Chief Deputy Ken Prorok.”
Hoek is scheduled to be back in court on Monday. Some of the other motions deal with the death penalty, which is still on the table in the case. As of Wednesday, Hoek’s trial is scheduled for October.
