GUILTY.

Paul Butterfield’s fiance, Jennifer Sielski, right, and his father, Paul, react to the guilty verdict.

By Rob Alway and Lisa Enos, MCP

LUDINGTON — A jury has found Eric John Knysz guilty of murdering Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Butterfield on Sept. 9, 2013 in Free Soil Township. The 20-year-old Irons resident sat emotionless — as he has throughout his seven day trial — while the verdict was read.

Eric Knysz and his attorney David Glancy listen to the verdict.

The jury deliberated for just over 90 minutes.

In addition to finding him guilty of first degree murder of a peace officer, the jury also found him guilty of felony firearms possession, carrying a concealed weapon and unlawfully driving away a motor vehicle.

First degree murder of a peace officer is a felony punishable by life in prison without parole. He also faces two years in prison for the felony firearms charge, five years for carrying a concealed weapon and five years for unlawfully driving away a vehicle. Those sentences would run concurrent with the life sentence.

Knysz will be sentenced by Judge Richard Cooper on Tuesday, April 8 at 4 p.m.

Major sponsor of MCP’s trial coverage is FloraCraft of Ludington: www.floracraft.com. Additional sponsorship by:

Dollars & Sense Accounting of Ludington: 231-845-7292.

Shoreline Properties of Whitehall, www.shorelinepropertiesofwm.com; 231-894-1930.