Mason County Prosecutor's Office Press Release - Charges Announced in Murder of MSP Trooper Paul Butterfield II
Contact: Paul Spaniola, Mason County Prosecuting Attorney, (231) 845-7377MASON COUNTY. Mason County Prosecuting Attorney Paul Spaniola announced that charges have been filed today against two individuals alleged to have been involved in the murder of Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Butterfield on September 9, 2013 in Sherman Township, Mason County.
SARAH RENEE KNYSZ, age 20, of 1844 10 Mile Road, Luther, Michigan 49656 was arraigned today before 79th District Court Magistrate Patricia Baker on a two count felony complaint. Count 1 - Accessory After the Fact to the Murder of Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Butterfield is a felony punishable by up to five years confinement and/or a $10,000 fine. Count 2 - Unlawful Driving Away of an Automobile is a felony punishable by up to five years confinement. A preliminary examination was scheduled for her to be held on September 25 at 1:00 in the Mason County Courthouse in Ludington. A bond was set for her 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.
Charges have been authorized against ERIC JOHN KNYSZ, age 19, also of 1844 10 Mile Road, Luther, Michigan 49656 and he will be arraigned on his charges once he is returned to Mason County. The four count complaint against ERIC JOHN KNYSZ lists charges as follows: Count 1 - Homicide-Murder of Peace Officer for the murder of Trooper Paul Butterfield, a felony punishable by life without parole. Count 2 - Weapons-Felony Firearm for the possession of a firearm during the commission of Murder of a Peace Officer, a felony punishable by two years served consecutively to the sentence for 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 one and one-half times the maximum otherwise set forth by statute.
Ford Stone, the Manistee County Prosecuting Attorney, is also reviewing the investigation for crimes which may have been committed by the suspects during the course of their apprehension in Manistee County. Craig Cooper, Lake County Prosecutor, is also exploring potential charges in Lake County.
Both defendants are presumed to be innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt as to their respective charges.
