Alleged shooter of trooper having surgery; arraignment delayed

Sarah and Eric Knysz

LUDINGTON — Eric John Knysz, 19, the man who will be charged for the murder of Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Butterfield, is having additional surgery today, according to Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola. For that reason, Knysz will not be arraigned, as originally planned.

Knysz is accused of murdering the trooper during a routine traffic stop Monday on North Custer Road in Free Soil Township. He and his wife, Sarah Knysz, 20, were apprehended later that evening following a shootout at the Dublin General Store in the unchartered village of Dublin in northern Manistee County. Eric Knysz was reportedly shot in the knee.

Eric Knysz, of 1844 10 Miles Road, Luther, faces four counts: Count 1, homicide-murder of a peace officer, a felony punishable by life without parole. Count 2, weapons-felony firearm for the possession of a firearm during the alleged murder of Trooper Butterfield, a charge punishable by two years served consecutively to count 1. Count 3, carrying a concealed weapon, a felony punishable by up to five years confinement and/or $2,500 fine. Count 4, unlawful driving away of an automobile, a felony punishable by up to five years confinement. He has also been given a notice of habitual offender, second felony offense, which would elevate the maximum penalties to 1.5 times the maximum otherwise set forth by statue.

His wife, Sarah Renee Knysz, 20, of 1844 10 Mile Road, Luther, was arraigned today before 79th District Court Magistrate Patricia Baker on a two count felony complaint, in relation to Monday’s murder of Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Butterfield.

Count 1 is accessory after the fact to Butterfield’s murder, a felony punishable by up to five years confinement and a $10,000 fine. Count 2 is unlawful driving away of an automobile, a felony punishable by up to five years confinement. A preliminary examination is scheduled for Sept. 25 at 1 p.m. at the Mason County Courthouse. A bond was set at $250,000 cash or surety and she was remanded to the Mason County Jail, pending the posting of that bond and the preliminary examination. Sarah Knysz is reported to be six months pregnant.

Ford Stone, the Manistee County Prosecuting Attorney, is also reviewing the investigation for crimes that were committed during the search and apprehension of the suspects in Manistee County.