Jury selected for trooper murder trial

Eric Knysz, left, with his attorney, David Glancy.

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. 

LUDINGTON — A jury has now been selected for the trial of Eric John Knysz, the man accused of murdering Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Butterfield. Jury selection began at 9 a.m. Tuesday with 85 Mason County residents being called in. A jury was finally selected at 6 p.m.

The jury consists of 11 women and three men. At the end of deliberation, two of the jurors will be randomly selected and dismissed as alternates.

Opening arguments will begin Wednesday morning at 9:30 a.m. Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola is calling 20 witnesses while defense attorney David Glancy is only calling one, the defendant.

The 19-year-old Irons resident has been charged with murder of a police officer in connection with the Sept. 9, 2013 shooting of Trooper Butterfield, that took place on North Custer Road in Free Soil Township. He is also charged with felony firearms, carrying a concealed weapon, auto theft and being a second time offender.