GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The trial of James Prokopovitz for the murder of his missing wife is underway in Brown County Court.
Victoria Prokopovitz disappeared in 2013. Her body has never been found. James Prokopovitz was charged with her murder in May 2019.
During opening statements Monday, Assistant District Attorney Caleb Saunders noted it has been 2,854 days since Victoria was last seen. Since then, James Prokopovitz and his girlfriend have repeatedly lied about what happened to Victoria, Saunders contended.
“The truth in this case in the lies. The truth, if you carefully consider the evidence in this case, the state believes you’ll find the truth in this case is that the defendant killed Vicki, and he’s guilty of all four charged offenses,” Saunders said.
Defense attorney John D’Angelo said this is a missing person case, and, given her mental health history, perhaps a suicide, but it’s not a murder.
“The only person who knows what happened to Victoria is Victoria. The problem with mental health is you never know when it’s going to come on. You can have a good day and, just like that, it can change to a bad day. This is a missing person’s case. Still is a missing person’s case,” D’Angelo said.
James Prokopovitz was the last person known to have to see his wife on April 25, 2013. Investigators say Victoria was reported missing, but her purse, cell phone and ID were all at her home in Pittsfield.
Also charged in case was Prokopovitz’s girlfriend, Kathryn Friday. However, she died before she could be sentenced for lying to a John Doe hearing called during the investigation.
A jury of nine women and six men was selected Friday to hear the trial, which could last as long as two weeks. That’s one extra alternate than the county usually has, and is a precaution in case jurors have to drop out due to health or other reasons. After closing arguments, 12 will be picked to deliberate.
