Eric John Knysz murder trial begins in traffic stop shooting of Michigan police officer Paul Butterfield
The jury has been selected for the Eric John Knysz murder trial for the murder of a Michigan state trooper during a traffic stop when he and his wife were running guns.
Paul Butterfield III was shot and killed when Knysz and his wife, Sarah Knysz were pulled over by the officer on September 9. The pair had stolen guns from his father and were transporting guns on September 9 and the officer pulled them over.
Sarah Knysz has struck a plea deal to testify against her husband who faces murder of a peace officer, which carries a sentence of life in prison without possibility of parole; felony firearm, a consecutive two-year felony; and carrying concealed weapons and motor vehicle theft, both normally five-year felonies.
He is charged as a second-time habitual offender based on a 2008 Lake County conviction of first-degree home invasion. That could increase the maximum sentence for the last two counts to 7½ years.
Eric Knysz’s mother, Tammi Lynne Spofford, has also been charged in Mason County with accessory after the fact to a felony and car theft. She’s accused of knowingly helping the couple escape after the shooting by driving the pickup truck away after the Knyszes allegedly stole a car.
