WEDNESDAY 5/26/2021 2:42 p.m.

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – The court has decided to sentence James Prokopovitz to life without parole with 749 days of credit already served, placing him in the Dodge State Prison.

Earlier this year James Prokopovitz stood trial for the death of his wife, Victoria Prokopovitz. He was found guilty of murder and on Wednesday was back in court for his sentencing.

Local 5’s Eric Richards was live at the courthouse.

Victoria’s daughter, Marsha Loritz, addressed the court to share the sadness and heartbreak within the last 8 years. “Time is precious and I feel a sadness for all the things my mom has missed over the last 8-years of our lives and for all the things we’re gonna have to learn to live and experience without her.”

“I think for the family they are hopeful, as the judge said, hopeful at some point Mr. Prokopovitz would tell the entire truth about what happened,” says Prosecutor Wendy Lemkuil.

The judge says he wishes he could do more for the victim’s family. He spoke directly to the family in the courtroom saying, “you may never know where Victoria’s body is. ”

Prokopovitz declined to address the court.

The judge did take into account that Prokopovitz had no prior record before the homicide. Kathryn Friday, Prokopovitz’s girlfriend, who was also charged in connection to this case, died by suicide before her sentencing.

She was charged with two counts of perjury before the court and one count of resisting or obstructing an officer.

UPDATE: James Prokopovitz sentencing date rescheduled for May

THURSDAY 4/29/2021 6:55 p.m.

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – The sentencing date for James Prokopovitz, found guilty of all charges in connection to the disappearance of his wife, is now rescheduled.

Prokopovitz was originally scheduled to be sentenced April 30.

According to court documents, the new sentencing date is scheduled for May 26 in Brown County Court.

Local 5 will update this story as more information becomes available.

UPDATE: Sentencing for Prokopovitz postponed

MONDAY 4/26/2021 2:03 p.m.

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – The sentencing for James Prokopovitz has been postponed.

Prokopovitz was found guilty on all charges on Feb. 27, he was scheduled to be back in court on April 30.

There has been no new date set. Local 5 will update this story as more information becomes available.

UPDATE: Prokopovitz found guilty on all charges after days of deliberation

SATURDAY, 2/27/2021 8:20 p.m.

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – After days of deliberation from the jury, they have found James Prokopovitz guilty.

He’s been found guilty of all charges included including 1st-degree intentional homicide in connection to the disappearance of his wife Victoria Prokopovitz.

Prokopovitz is scheduled to be back in court on April 30.

Local 5 will continue to keep you updated on the latest information right here online and on air.

UPDATE: Jury to begin deliberations for Prokopovitz trial

FRIDAY 2/26/2021 9:50 a.m.

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – After two weeks of hearing arguments and the presiding judge needing surgery, the jury is off to begin deliberations to determine the verdict for James Prokopovitz.

The jury left to begin deliberations around 9:40 a.m. on Friday Feb. 26.

Six women and six men make up the twelve person jury.

Prokopovitz is charged with:

  • First Degree Intentional Homicide
  • Obstructing an Officer
  • Perjury
  • Conspiracy to Commit Perjury.

Once the jury makes it decision Local 5 will update this story.

UPDATE: Final arguments heard in trial of WI man who allegedly murdered his wife

THURSDAY 2/25/2021 7:02 p.m.

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – The prosecution has begun their closing arguments in a trial of a Wisconsin man, who faces charges related to the disappearance of his wife.

It has been a week since the trial of James Prokopovitz started and the State rested its case after calling a total of 44 witnesses in a court hearing on Thursday.

When asked if he wanted to testify, Prokopovitz declined and the defense rested its case.

The most notable witness called during the hearing was an investigator who has experience working on cases where a body was missing.

Special Agent Jay Yerges says he was assigned to the case of James Prokopovitz and interviewed him on several occasions, making note of the language Prokopovitz used during the investigation.

When asked about a point in the interview where Prokopovitz referred to Victoria Prokopovitz as that woman and if it is something consistently heard throughout this investigation, Special Agent Yerges says, “For years. That term, that tense, was disassociation.”

Throughout the hearing, the defense presented their case around the types of evidence that were given within the investigation.

“There were several different statements from people who stated they had familiarity, contact, and a minimum of a friendship preceding April 2013,” says Special Agent Yerges, Wisconsin DOJ, Division of Criminal Investigation.

The defense asked Special Agent Yerges if it was illegal to have a friendship with another man who is married. He answered, “it is not illegal.”

Local 5 will continue to monitor the trial.

UPDATE: Different judge to preside over Prokopovitz trial once it resumes

FRIDAY 2/19/2021 9:25 a.m.

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – With Judge Timothy Hinkfuss needing surgery for his broken ankle, Reserve Judge William Atkinson will take over the trial when it resumes on Monday.

According to Judge Hinkfuss’s assistant, Judge Atkinson will go on record at 1:30 p.m. Friday saying that he will preside over the trial when it resumes on Monday, Feb. 22 at 8:30 a.m.

Judge Hinkfuss will have surgery this afternoon, and offficals are not sure how long he will be out.

Local 5 will update this story as more information becomes available.

ORIGINAL: Prokopovitz trial delayed as judge needs surgery after breaking ankle

THURSDAY 2/18/2021 9:11 a.m.

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – Brown County Judge Timothy Hinkfuss fell and broke his ankle, and needs surgery which will delay Prokopovitz’s trial until Feb. 22.

According to Judge Hinkfuss’s assistant, he fell and broke his ankle and will be having surgery. The trial will resume on Feb 22 at 10:00 a.m.

Judge Hinkfuss still plans to to preside over the trial on Feb. 22.

James Prokopovitz is facing charges of 1st Degree Intentional Homicide, Obstructing an Officer, Perjury, and Conspiracy to Commit Perjury.

Local 5 will update this story as more information becomes available.