Mother of accused trooper killer to appear in court today

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief.

LUDINGTON – The mother of the man charged with murdering a Michigan State Police trooper is scheduled to appear in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court this afternoon.

Tammi Spofford, 50, of 8124 W. Eight Mile Road, Irons, is charged with accessory after the fact to the Sept. 9 murder of Paul Butterfield. She is also charged with unlawfully driving away a motor vehicle. The first charge is punishable by up to five years in confinement and/or a $10,000 and the second is punishable by up to five years in confinement. Both are felonies.

Spofford was arraigned in 51st Circuit Court on Dec. 17. Since December she has been out of jail on bail.

During testimony, in December, Sarah Knysz — wife of Eric Knysz, said that Eric told his mother that he had murdered Butterfield. Spofford initially had told the media she was unaware that her son had killed the trooper. She allegedly helped the Knyszs steal a car from a Branch Township resident.

Spofford has had her share of run-ins with the law, including past charges of obstructing justice and domestic violence.

Her final conference is scheduled to begin at 3:15 p.m.