Delay requested in trial for man accused of killing Moody County Deputy Sheriff

FLANDREAU, SD (KELO.com) — The man charged with murdering Moody County Deputy Sheriff Ken Prorok last February during a pursuit is asking for a delay in the trial as he faces the death penalty.  Joseph Hoek is set to appear in a motions hearing at the Moody County Courthouse this afternoon.  The first-degree murder trial is scheduled to begin on May 19th.  However, Hoek’s attorney requested it be delayed on grounds of further psychiatric evaluation and to seek a potential insanity plea.  South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley says he will be attending today’s hearing.  According to Jackley, the alleged murder of a state law enforcement officer qualifies for a capital punishment case, which would be death by lethal injection.