GREEN BAY (NBC 26) — A new judge will preside over the James Prokopovitz homicide trial after the original judge in the case was injured.
Reserve Judge William Atkinson will replace Judge Timothy Hinkfuss, who slipped and fell Wednesday night returning from work. Hinkfuss broke his ankle in three different places and has surgery scheduled for Friday. Hinkfuss's injury has put the trial on hold until Monday.
A stipulation was filed with parties consenting to appoint Judge Atkinson to the trial. Atkinson (pictured above) is a long-time Brown County judge who retired in 2019.
Important testimony is expected on Monday when the trial resumes. The lead detective on the case is expected to testify, where the jury will start hearing more about Prokapovitz’s contradicting stories and statements to authorities, as well as recorded calls with his alleged mistress, Kathy Friday. A confidential informant is also expected to testify.
James Prokopovitz is on trial for the death of his wife, Victoria Prokopovitz. She was last seen in 2013. Her body has never been found.
