Courts

79th District Court sentences, as of Nov. 6, 2013

November 8, 2013

By Allison Scarbrough. MCP Correspondent.  LUDINGTON – The following defendants were sentenced this past week in 79th District Court: –          Brett Allen Ballard, 28, of 5553 W. Johnson Rd., Ludington, was found guilty Oct. 29 of impaired driving. He was sentenced to one days in jail with credit for one day served; $1,145 in fines and costs; Alcohol Highway Safety Education (AHSE);…

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Evart man, 34, pleads guilty to sex with 15-year-old

November 7, 2013

LUDINGTON — A 34-year-old Evart man pleaded guilty Tuesday in 51st Circuit Court for criminal sexual conduct against a 15-year-old girl. The incident took place on June 3, 2012 when the two met each other hiking at the Ludington State Park. Initially, Lauren Davin Derscheid, 4181 70th Ave., Evart, was arrested on Aug. 27 by Mason County Sheriff’s Office and…

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GUILTY. Sarah Knysz describes how husband murdered Trooper Paul Butterfield

November 5, 2013
GUILTY. Sarah Knysz describes how husband murdered Trooper Paul Butterfield

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. LUDINGTON — Sarah Knysz pleaded guilty today in 51st Circuit Court. The 20-year-old Irons resident, who is 8-months-pregnant, appeared in court for a final conference. At that time Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola offered her a chance to plea guilty, unconditionally, to the two charges against her: accessory to murder of a police officer after the fact…

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Wife of alleged trooper shooter to appear in court today

November 5, 2013
Wife of alleged trooper shooter to appear in court today

LUDINGTON — Sarah Knysz of Luther, the wife of the man accused of murdering Trooper Paul Butterfield, is scheduled to appear in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court today for a final conference at 3:30 p.m. The pregnant 20-year-old has been charged with accessory to murder, after the fact and unlawfully driving away a motor vehicle in connection to the Sept.…

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Manistee woman arraigned for stalking, arson

November 4, 2013
Manistee woman arraigned for stalking, arson

UPDATED. This story was first posted Saturday, Nov. 2. FREE SOIL TWP. – A 43-year-old Manistee County woman was arrested Saturday for aggravated stalking and for arson of personal property. Troopers from the Michigan State Police Hart Post were contacted by the victim on November 1, who stated some of his property had been burned. Troopers investigated the crime and…

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