GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK ) – After about 23 hours of deliberation, the jury in James Prokopovitz’s murder trial found him guilty of all four charges he was facing.
Prokopovitz was convicted of murdering his wife, Victoria, who disappeared in 2013. Her body has not been found. He was also convicted on two counts of perjury and one count of obstructing an officer.
The trial lasted two weeks, including a few day break after the judge presiding over the case suffered a broken ankle and had to be replaced.
Closing arguments wrapped up Friday morning, with the jury beginning deliberations at 9:37. The verdict was announced at about 8:20 Saturday evening.
The defense did not present any witnesses in the case and Prokopovitz himself did not testify.
Prosecutors presented a case of circumstantial evidence, based on conflicting stories and Prokopovitz’s actions regarding his wife before and after her disappearance.
Prosecutors claimed Prokopovitz and his girlfriend repeatedly lied about what happened to Victoria.
The defense referred to Victoria’s mental health history during the trial, indicating her death was perhaps a suicide.
James Prokopovitz was the last known person 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.
James Prokopovitz will remain behind bars until his sentencing, scheduled for Friday, April 30th.
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