Courts

Former U.S. attorney joins Sean Michaels defense team

March 4, 2014
Former U.S. attorney joins Sean Michaels defense team

LUDINGTON — Fox 17 TV of Grand Rapids has reported that a former U.S. Attorney will be part of the defense team for Sean Michael Phillips, accused of killing his 4-month-old daughter Katherine (Baby Kate) Phillips in June 2011. John Smietanka, a former U.S. attorney for the West Michigan District, will be on Phillips’ taxpayer-funded defense team, assisting court-appointed defense…

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79th District Court arraignments, as of Feb. 26, 2014

February 28, 2014
79th District Court arraignments, as of Feb. 26, 2014

By Allison Scarbrough. MCP Correspondent.  LUDINGTON — The following were arraigned this past week in front of Mason County Magistrate Patricia Baker in 79th District Court: Felonies –         Gabriel Isaiah Austin, 40, of 510 N. Emily St., Apt. K, Ludington, was arrested Feb. 23 by the Ludington Police Department (LPD) for a felony of assault by strangulation and domestic violence.…

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79th District Court sentences, as of Feb. 26, 2014

February 28, 2014
79th District Court sentences, as of Feb. 26, 2014

By Allison Scarbrough. MCP Correspondent.  LUDINGTON – The following defendants were sentenced this past week in 79th District Court: –         Amy Lucinda Phillips, 35, of 237 6th Ave., Apt. 427, Manistee, was found guilty Feb. 6 of improper registration, failure to transfer and sentenced to fines and costs of $175. –         Richard Grant Sanders, 26, of 209 W. First St.,…

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Post commander: ‘There’s still a big hole here at the post’

February 26, 2014
Post commander: ‘There’s still a big hole here at the post’

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. Eric John Knysz has been found guilty of murdering Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Butterfield. It is likely, that when sentenced in April, the 20-year-old will face life in prison. While justice will be served, it doesn’t take away the fact that a 43-year-old police officer, and military veteran, was killed in cold blood on the…

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Prosecutor, MSP colonel and fiancé discuss case against Knysz

February 25, 2014

The following are the videos of the press conference held after the verdict of guilty was handed down to Eric John Knysz. The  videos include Prosecutor Paul Spaniola, Michigan State Police Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue and Jennifer Sielski, fiancé of Trooper Paul Butterfield, whom Eric Knysz murdered.  

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