Eric knysz trial by Eric

MUSKEGON CHRONICLE / THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2014 / A3

Local “Oh my God, he’s lost so much blood. ... Please hurry!” WOMAN’S VOICE ON 911 RECORDING, PLAYED WEDNESDAY DURING ERIC KNYSZ’S TRIAL

MUSKEGON

City: Move vehicles oﬀ streets so plow trucks can clear roads of snow By Heather Lynn Peters hpeters@mlive.com

The city of Muskegon is reminding residents to move vehicles from the street so plow trucks can come through and clear away the slushy mess left behind. City officials are encouraging residents to park off the street through Friday so city plow trucks can clear

area roads. The city’s ordinance requires vehicles be moved after being parked for 48 hours in the same spot. If vehicles aren’t moved, they can be tagged with a “red courtesy reminder tag” which would allow the vehicle to be towed if it exceeds the time limit, according to a news release.

Absentee ballot requests for Tuesday’s Muskegon Countywide school millage election must be submitted to clerks ofﬁces by Saturday.

Eric Knysz awaits the start of the second day of his trial Wednesday before Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Judge Richard Cooper in Ludington. Knysz is charged with murder and other felonies in the shooting death of Michigan State Police Trooper Paul K. Butterﬁeld II in September during a routine trafﬁc stop. (Ken Stevens/MLive.com)

(MLive.com ﬁle)

LUDINGTON

Tears, drama mark ﬁrst day of trial in trooper’s murder By John S. Hausman

tinuously,” Helton said. “I knelt by him, told him to just hold on.” Butterfield, shot about 6:20 p.m. It was an emotional day of testimony Sept. 9, died late that night after being at the murder trial of Eric John Knysz, airlifted by helicopter to Munson accused of fatally shooting Michigan State Police Trooper Paul K. Butterfield Medical Center in Traverse City. Knysz, 20, of the Irons area, is on II in the head Sept. 9. trial in Mason County Circuit Court for The focus Wednesday, was Butterfield’s death, charged with murButterfield’s final moments before the shooting, and passing drivers’ discovery der of a peace officer and other felony counts. of him just after — lying face down on the edge of Custer Road and unable to WITNESS ACCOUNTS talk but seemingly conscious. The first prosecution witnesses told Wednesday morning, three weeping similar stories. witnesses described coming upon the Helton described arriving on the fallen trooper and trying to comfort him scene shortly after Butterfield was shot. as he lay moaning, struggling to lift his Her call to 911 was logged at 6:23 p.m. head and repeatedly patting his chest Butterfield’s traffic stop call was at with his hand. 6:20 p.m. In the afternoon, Mason County Northbound on Custer, driving Prosecutor Paul Spaniola played a home from her pharmacy tech job at 911 tape of their frantic calls for help. Ludington’s hospital, she noticed a state Spaniola also played a Central police car pulled over with its overhead Dispatch tape of what were almost red light flashing. Butterfield’s last words, calmly calling “I noticed that there was a state in a routine traffic stop with his locapoliceman lying face down in the road,” tion and a license plate number. That she testified, beginning to cry. “I got out information helped lead to Knysz’s of my car and started running toward apprehension about two hours later in him, screaming, ‘Officer! Officer!’” Manistee County. She saw he had been shot in the head. ‘WE HAVE AN OFFICER DOWN’ Asked by Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola to compare the size of the As Spaniola played the 43-year-old hole to a coin, she said, “I would have to trooper’s final call to dispatch, the say at least the size of a 50-cent piece. It victim’s father, retired trooper Paul T. was very large.” Butterfield, of Frankenmuth, hung his Testimony from the second withead and cried at the sound of his son’s ness, the second driver on the scene, voice. The elder Butterfield was in the Shannon Comstock, and the third, front row of the courtroom with family Comstock’s husband, Charles, conmembers and friends. curred with Helton’s account. About four minutes later, passers-by Later, Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole called 911. Their distress was obvious in described what seemed to be a sign of the tapes. awareness from the gravely wounded A man’s voice, breathing hard: “We trooper. Cole came to the scene after have an officer down ... Custer Road ... and bleeding severely around the head.” Butterfield was in an ambulance, head A woman’s voice, frantic sounding: “A swathed in bandages, awaiting arrival of an AeroMed helicopter. state policeman down on Custer Road Cole said he got in the ambulance ... He’s bleeding on the pavement of with him, where paramedics were the road, and he’s bleeding severely. ... working on him, and squeezed Please hurry, please hurry!... “He’s in so much pain,” the woman continued. “Oh my God, he’s lost so much blood. ... Please hurry!” Earlier, three witnesses in a row, all crying, described coming upon Butterfield on Custer just north of Townline Road in Mason County’s Freesoil Township. Butterfield was alive and, it seemed to the witnesses, aware of their presence as they tried to comfort him and stem the bleeding from a wound on the right side of his head. “He was conscious,” said Connie Helton, the first to arrive on the scene, at most three minutes after Butterfield Witness Charles Comstock breaks down was shot. “He didn’t answer or talk to as he answers questions during his me. testimony. Comstock was one of the “But he did raise up his head, pat his ﬁrst people to come across the shooting chest. ... He was patting his chest conscene and attempt to aid Butterﬁeld.

jhausman@mlive.com

Butterfield’s leg. “I just kept saying, ‘Paul, keep breathing, keep fighting,’” Cole said. In response, “He raised his right hand and he rubbed his thumb to his forefingers.” Jurors also saw physical exhibits, including Butterfield’s cap with a hole in the top, and his service belt. All witnesses said the trooper’s gun was holstered with the cover snapped shut as he lay on the edge of the road. Also testifying Wednesday, in addition to several police witnesses, was Timothy Schultz, of Mason County’s Walhalla area, who said Eric Knysz stole his car — a charge facing Knysz. Schultz said Knysz and his pregnant wife, Sarah, had come by his house about noon, driving an old red pickup, to test drive a white 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix Schultz was selling and was parked in his yard, the keys inside. They settled on a price — $650 — and Eric Knysz said they would be back later with the money, Schultz testified. Shortly after 7 p.m., Eric showed up on foot, the truck not in sight, and got in the car and drove off without Schultz’s permission, Schultz said, after telling the owner “he had to check something out.” A POTENTIAL MOTIVE

Schultz said he called 911 about 10 or 15 minutes later to report the theft after hearing about the trooper’s shooting. State troopers hunting for the Grand Prix and for the Knyszes found them about 8:30 p.m. at a Manistee County gas station. They were arrested, and Eric Knysz was shot in the knee after allegedly pointing a gun at troopers. In his opening statement to jurors, prosecutor Spaniola laid out what he hoped to prove. He said it’s unknown why Butterfield pulled over the pickup. But, Spaniola said, Knysz’s motive in shooting the trooper was clear: He was transporting guns he had stolen from his father, John Knysz, of Irons, and feared being arrested. Eric Knysz stole the guns to sell them in Ludington to pay for the car he wanted to buy from Schultz, Spaniola told jurors. He had sold some of them but not all. He still had a long gun and the .357 magnum he allegedly used to shoot Butterfield, the prosecutor said. Knysz was “afraid because he had a gun in the car, also not wanting to be caught for it, he shot Paul Butterfield,” Spaniola said. In a less than five-minute opening statement, defense attorney David Glancy reminded jurors Spaniola’s statement wasn’t evidence — just the prosecutor’s theory of the case — and, to convict, the prosecutor needed to prove every element of each charge beyond a reasonably doubt.

MUSKEGON

Here’s how to vote absentee in school millage election By Lynn Moore

lmoore8@mlive.com

Saturday is the deadline to obtain an absentee ballot to vote in Tuesday’s Muskegon Countywide school millage election. The county’s 11 traditional public school districts are seeking a 10-year, 1-mill property tax increase to pay for security and technology improvements. The measure is being pursued by the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District, which will forward all proceeds of the millage to the school districts on a perpupil basis. Absentee ballots can be obtained from city and township clerks’ offices. Requests must be submitted in writing by 2 p.m. Saturday in order to vote in the Feb. 25 election. Mailed requests must include the voter’s signature, which will be compared to the voter registration record, as well as the election date, and the voter’s city or township, voting precinct and address.

Preprinted applications can be picked up at clerk’s offices, or downloaded online at mi.gov/sos. The request must also specify one of six reasons for an absentee ballot. Those include: • An expectation the voter will be absent from the community. • A physical limitation that keeps the voter from the polls. • A religious tenet that prevents the voter from attending the polls. • The voter is 60 years or older. • The voter is in jail awaiting arraignment or trial. • The voter will be working as an election inspector in a different precinct. Completed absentee ballots must be returned to the clerk’s office by 8 p.m. on the day of the election. If an unexpected emergency such as a an injury, sudden illness or death in the family, the voter can seek an emergency absentee voter ballot by 4 p.m. on election day.

HESPERIA

State police investigating death of 4-month-old By Heather Lynn Peters hpeters@mlive.com

A 4-month-old baby was found unresponsive Monday inside a home in the village of Hesperia, police said, and was pronounced dead at a hospital Tuesday. Michigan State Police officials from the Hart post are investigating the infant’s death. “Troopers are working with Child Protective Services and doctors to

determine the cause of death,” a news release stated. Police officials said the infant was found unresponsive Monday inside the home and taken by ambulance to Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial Hospital in Fremont. The baby was then transported by Aeromed to Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, where the infant died Tuesday, police said.

FREMONT

Patients evacuated in ﬁre scare By Heather Lynn Peters

hpeters@mlive.com

Patients on the top floor of Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial Hospital in Fremont were evacuated to another part of the building early Wednesday morning due to the threat of a fire.

A fire official from the Fremont Fire Department confirmed fire officials were dispatched around 3:57 a.m. The top floor was evacuated and patients were placed in the emergency room area of the hospital, the fire official said.

A4 / SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2014 / MUSKEGON CHRONICLE

Local ERIC KNYSZ MURDER TRIAL: DAY 3

Oﬃcers detail manhunt after shooting of state trooper By John S. Hausman

jhausman@mlive.com

“He’s got a gun! He’s got a gun!” Michigan State Police Trooper Jeffrey Crofoot testified Thursday that he yelled that to a fellow officer after seeing Eric John Knysz, a suspect in the shooting of Trooper Paul K. Butterfield II, running around the outside of a gas station, looking back and holding a gun out behind him. The gun was pointed at Crofoot, he testified. Knysz came around the station into the view of Trooper Steven Arendt, Knysz holding a gun in his right hand and running toward his car, Arendt testified. Arendt yelled at him to stop. Knysz didn’t. Arendt fired twice, striking Knysz in the knee. Knysz dropped his gun and went down. Arendt placed a foot on his back, and Crofoot quickly jumped on top of the struggling Knysz, the troopers testified. About two hours after Butterfield was shot in the head at a Mason County traffic stop, his suspected shooter was taken into custody outside a Marathon gas station in Wellston in Manistee County. So, moments later, was his pregnant wife, Sarah Renee Knysz. She appeared behind the troopers and, unresisting, let them handcuff her after her husband was subdued and cuffed. The troopers who caught the couple told their story at Mason County’s 51st

Eric John Knysz, 20, left, sits next to his attorney David Glancy during the third day of his trial that took place before Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Judge Richard I. Cooper in Ludington on Thursday. (Natalie Kolb/MLive.com)

From left, Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Judge Richard I. Cooper, Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola and attorney David Glancy look over a question written by a juror during the third day of the murder trial for Eric Knysz in Ludington.

Circuit Court. They and throngs of other northwestern Michigan police officers had been hunting for a white 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix that Eric Knysz reportedly had stolen a short time before. They had a description of the couple — an early-20s white male and pregnant young white woman. Crofoot thought he spotted the car at the gas station and pulled in. He saw a white male matching Eric’s description pumping gas and pulled up behind him. He said the man looked at him, turned away and walked toward the gas station. Crofoot tapped his horn, and the man kept walking. He laid on his horn, and still no

of Townline Road in rural Mason County’s Freesoil Township. They were in a red pickup owned by Knysz’s father, John “Jack” Knysz, of Irons, at that time. Eric Knysz is on trial in Mason County Circuit Court facing charges of murder of a peace officer, felony firearm,

reaction. That told the trooper something wasn’t right. “A normal person would have turned around to see who was blowing the horn,” Crofoot said. Meanwhile, Arendt ran the white car’s plate and confirmed: It was the suspect vehicle. Knysz went into the gas station, at some point apparently tried to make a run for it out the back door, and the dash and shooting ensued, Crofoot and Arendt testified. Knysz, 20, of the Irons area, is accused of shooting Butterfield after the trooper pulled over the couple in a traffic stop at 6:20 p.m. Sept. 9 on Custer Road north

LUDINGTON

Tense ‘felony traﬃc stop’ of suspect’s vehicle By John S. Hausman

County that Eric Knysz had after the trooper was shot been captured at a gas station by driving them to where and Sarah Knysz had taken off they allegedly stole a car that Lake County Sheriff’s running. He left Spofford and Eric Knysz had test-driven Deputy John Bennett saw the pickup in other officers’ earlier in the day with plans the red pickup truck coming custody and took off “as fast to buy it. toward him as my car could go — 110” Sarah Knysz, 21, has been on the twoto the gas station five or six sentenced to prison for two to track — the miles away. five years after pleading guilty pickup he Bennett was one of several as charged to the same counts was looking law-enforcement officers tesSpofford faces. for, the one tifying Thursday morning, in Sarah Knysz has agreed to he’d been told the second day of testimony testify against her husband. was involved at the murder trial of Eric Spofford has stated she will in the Bennett Knysz. assert her Fifth Amendment shooting of Knysz, 20, of the Irons area right against self-incrimiMichigan State PoliceTrooper is accused of fatally shooting nation if called to testify at Paul K. Butterfield II. the 43-year-old Butterfield the trial, and she will not be Bennett, with another offirequired to do so. cer, took cover, then did a “fel- in the head around 6:20 p.m. Sept. 9, 2013, at a traffic stop ony traffic stop” of the truck. on Custer Road just north At the wheel wasn’t the City of North Muskegon of Townline Road in Mason shooting suspect, Eric John Public Notice County’s Freesoil Township. Knysz, but Knysz’s 50-yearHe’s on trial in Mason old mother, Tammi Lynn Community Park and Recreation Master Plan Amendment County Circuit Court facing Spofford. She got out as Input Meeting charges of murder of a peace ordered and answered quesofficer, felony firearm, cartions, saying she had just The City of North Muskegon is in the process of amending its Community Park rying a concealed weapon driven her son and his wife, and Recreation Master Plan and will be and motor vehicle theft. He Sarah Knysz, to buy a white facilitating a public input period at the City Council’s regular meeting scheduled is charged as a second-time car in Walhalla and that she for March 3, 2014, 6:00 p.m. in the City habitual offender based on a didn’t know where they went Council Chambers located at City Hall, 1502 Ruddiman Dr. The purpose of the 2008 Lake County conviction from there. public review period is to discuss the of first-degree home invasion. “She said she didn’t know thoughts and opinions of community residents in connection with the future of parks Spofford also faces charges anything that was going on, and recreation in our City. All are welcome of accessory after the fact to that she wouldn’t cover for and encouraged to attend. a felony — Butterfield’s murhim,” Bennett said. Jeske, MMC der — and motor vehicle theft. Marcia Bennett then inspected City Clerk She’s accused of knowingly the outside of the truck. “I PUBLISH: Sunday, February 23, 2014 observed blood splatter on the helping the Knyszes escape 4787729-01 driver’s-side door and running board,” the deputy testi2014 BOARD OF REVIEW fied, his voice catching for a CITY OF MUSKEGON moment. He also saw a smear 2014 GENERAL ASSESSMENT ROLL where grime had been wiped Notice is hereby given that the Board of Review of the City of Muskegon, MI off, he said. will meet in Conference Rooms 100 and 112 at Muskegon County South Campus Complex The stop was made on the (Equalization), 173 East Apple Avenue, Muskegon, Michigan. wooded, roughly 100-acre The meeting dates & times are as follows: property of Eric’s father, John Mon. March 10 & Thurs. March 13, 2014 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (Hearings) “Jack” Knysz, the truck’s Tues. March 11, 2014 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM (Hearings) owner, and John’s mother. The tentative ratios and factors for the City of Muskegon for the year 2014 are: Spofford lived in a different home on the same property, REAL PROPERTY RATIO FACTOR Agricultural 50.00 1.00000 with a two-track trail linking Commercial 50.14 0.99800 the residences, officers Industrial 49.98 1.00040 testified. Residential 48.65 1.02774 The officers were inspectPERSONAL PROPERTY ing the property, looking for Commercial 50.00 1.00000 Industrial 50.00 1.00000 the truck, after getting calls Residential 50.00 1.00000 about Butterfield’s shootUtilities 50.00 1.00000 ing. Just before he was shot, For further information or to schedule a Board of Review appointment, contact the Muskegon Butterfield had radioed in his County Equalization Department at (231)724-6681. location and the license plate The County of Muskegon will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, such as of the vehicle he was stopping signers for the hearing impaired and audio tapes of printed materials being considered at the meeting upon 24 hours notice to the County of Muskegon. Individuals with disabilities requiring — the red pickup truck. auxiliary aids or services should contact the County of Muskegon by writing or calling the AdminAfter securing Spofford istrator, Hall of Justice, 990 Terrace Street, Muskegon, Michigan 49442 at (231)724-6520. in a patrol car, Bennett got a PUBLISH: February 20, 23, & 25, 2014 4786607-01 call to Wellston in Manistee jhausman@mlive.com

carrying a concealed weapon and motor vehicle theft. He is charged as a second-time habitual offender based on a 2008 Lake County conviction of first-degree home invasion. Also Thursday, other lawenforcement officers and technicians testified about other aspects of the manhunt

Thomas Holcomb, forensic scientist at Michigan State Police Great Lakes Forensic Science Laboratory, holds up the gun allegedly used to kill Michigan State Police Trooper Paul K. Butterﬁeld II during the third day of the murder trial.

for Knysz and its aftermath. Other witnesses Thursday included a state police crimescene investigator and fingerprint expert, Thomas Holcomb, who testified that he found a latent print of Eric Knysz on the barrel of the .357 Colt Python handgun Knysz allegedly dropped outside the gas station. At one point Holcomb held up the gun — the one allegedly used to end Butterfield’s life — to show jurors.

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MUSKEGON CHRONICLE / SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2014 / A5

Local ERIC KNYSZ MURDER TRIAL: DAY 4

DNA expert: Blood was on truck, napkin By John S. Hausman jhausman@mlive.com

Michigan State Police Lt. Jeff Crump holds up evidence during the fourth day of the murder trial for Eric John Knysz on Friday in Ludington. (Natalie Kolb/MLive.com)

Audio of witness’ admission to shooting played in court Quiet recording was the morning following the death of trooper Butterfield By John S. Hausman

jhausman@mlive.com

An audio recording of what the prosecutor said was Eric John Knysz’s admission to shooting Michigan State Police Trooper Paul K. Butterfield II played in court late Friday. The interview with Michigan State Police Trooper Gary Butterﬁeld Green came around 6 a.m. Sept. 10, the morning after Butterfield was shot. Knysz, clearly in pain, had just come out of surgery after being shot in the knee before his arrest the night before, and his voice was soft, at times sleepy sounding — though at times angry — and at many points, hard to understand in the courtroom, including the points at which he answered questions about the moments he allegedly shot Butterfield. Jurors followed along with transcripts provided by Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola. Some of Knysz’s answers to Green’s questions were understandable and sounded like agreement that he had shot the trooper. For example: “What kind of car were you in when you shot the trooper?” “In my truck.” Knysz told Green he had a gun because “bad guys” were after him, and that he had gotten the gun on the “streets” in Grand Rapids. But later, he appeared to agree with the detective’s questions that he shot Butterfield because he didn’t want to “go back” to jail,

Jennifer Sielski, ﬁance of slain Michigan State Police Trooper Paul K. Butterﬁeld II waits on break during the fourth day of the trial Friday.

answering “mm-hmm.” Court ran until about 6:20 p.m. Friday. The trial will resume Monday morning, apparently with the playing of a second interview with Knysz recorded Sept. 12. Also on the witness stand late Friday were two married friends of Eric Knysz, who said he told them he had just shot a police officer when he stopped by their house the evening of Sept. 9. Mark and Deborah Harris, of Wellston, both said he told them that. Both said he didn’t seem “himself,” Mark Harris calling him “real hyper.” Mark Harris said the exact words were, “I shot a police officer.” Deborah Harris said “He said that he killed a f—-ing cop.” Both testified Sarah Knysz, Eric’s wife, was there with him but said nothing about a shooting. Both said Eric stopped to try to buy marijuana — Mark Harris said he, has a medical marijuana card — that they didn’t sell him, then left. They didn’t believe Knysz and didn’t call 911 or try to

find out if it was true right away, nor did they call 911 after hearing about a trooper being shot. Most of Friday was taken up with crime-scene investigation testimony. Detective Sgt. Jason Sinke, of the state police, described collecting and processing evidence from the various crime scenes. Like an earlier fingerprint expert, he identified a print taken from the Colt Python .357 magnum pistol picked up at the scene of Eric Knysz’s arrest as belonging to Eric. Earlier, state police DNA expert Kate Herrema testified that Butterfield’s DNA matched blood smears found on the outside of a red pickup truck and on a crumpled paper napkin in a burn barrel. Both samples were collected near the home of murder suspect Eric John Kynsz’s mother, Tammi Lynne Spofford, who was driving the truck when police stopped it after Butterfield was shot in the head. Herrema was one of several technical witnesses Friday morning and early afternoon at the murder trial of Knysz, 20, of Irons. Knysz is accused of fatally shooting Butterfield in the head after the trooper pulled over Knysz and his wife in a traffic stop around 6:20 p.m. Sept. 9 on Custer Road north of Townline Road in rural Mason County’s Freesoil Township. Eric Knysz is charged with 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 a concealed weapon 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.

Michigan State Police Trooper Paul K. Butterfield II’s DNA matched blood smears found on the outside of a red pickup truck and on a crumpled paper napkin in a burn barrel, a DNA expert testified Friday. That was the testimony of Kate Herrema, a forensic scientist working for the Michigan State Police. Both samples were collected near the home of murder suspect Eric John Kynsz’s mother, Tammi Lynne Spofford, who was driving the truck when police stopped it after Butterfield was shot in the head. Herrema was one of sever-

al technical witnesses Friday morning and early afternoon at the murder trial of Knysz, 20, of Irons. State Police Lt. Jeff Crump, an expert in firearms analysis, testified that a cartridge Herrema casing found at the scene of Butterfield’s shooting was a ballistics match for the Colt Python .357 magnum pistol Knysz allegedly dropped after a trooper shot him in the knee outside a Wellston gas station. State Police Detective Sgt. Russell Karsten described

collecting forensic evidence at the various crime scenes, including the apparent blood swabs from the truck and the napkin. State Police Detective Sgt. Sally Wolter described attending Butterfield’s autopsy Sept. 10 at Blodgett Hospital in Grand Rapids and seeing a single gunshot wound to his head. And, via video, Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola recalled one of his technical witnesses from Thursday, state police fingerprint expert Thomas Holcomb. Holcomb testified Friday that his supervisor and another fingerprint expert found a latent print belonging to Knysz.

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Sherman Poppen invented the Snurfer on Christmas 1965. (MLive.com ﬁle)

LUDINGTON

Jury hears confession in trooper murder trial

Murder suspect spares his wife, father in court

Sarah Renee Knysz looks in the direction of her husband, murder suspect Eric Knysz, during her testimony Monday in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court in Ludington. (Ken Stevens/MLive.com)

By John S. Hausman

case will go to jurors this afternoon after closing arguments and Mason County Circuit Judge Richard I. Cooper’s instructions to the jury.

jhausman@mlive.com

LOOKBACK

Catching up with father of snowboarding

Sherman Poppen, now 83, has had to set aside snowboarding — he’s got a bad hip. He even moved South to get away from the snow. “If you can’t enjoy it and be active, it’s just better to get out,” he said. But the former Muskegon man who invented an early version of the snowboard still loves the sport he helped create. Details, A5 MUSKEGON COUNTY

School tax request faces voters today Voters throughout Muskegon County are deciding on a 1-mill, 10-year property tax request to fund technology and security improvements in local school districts. Districts would get $160 per student if the millage passes. Polls are open until 8 p.m. Details, A3

According to his own statements, Eric John Knysz didn’t spare Michigan State Police Trooper Paul K. Butterfield II last Sept. 9 — but he spared his own family Monday. After both his wife and his father testified against him at his murder trial Feb. 24, Knysz refused to let his lawyer cross-examine them. And for his wife, Sarah Renee Knysz, Eric had some public words: “I just want to say I love you,” he said across the courtroom from where he stood at the defense table. “I’m sorry I put you through this.” Sarah Knysz, sitting on the witness stand, wept in response. That exchange happened out of the presence of the jury early Monday afternoon, after Eric Knysz’s public defender, David Glancy, asked him questions establishing that Eric didn’t want his wife cross-examined. Later in the afternoon, the same procedure — minus the words of love — happened after Eric’s father, John Peter Knysz, of Irons, testified for the prosecution. Eric Knysz is on trial on

SARAH KNYSZ SPEAKS

Sarah Knysz points to identify her husband, Eric Knysz, while questioned by Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola, left, during her testimony against Knysz in the shooting death of Michigan State Police Trooper Paul K. Butterﬁeld II on Sept. 9.

charges of murder of a peace officer, felony firearm, carrying a concealed weapon and car theft. He’s charged with fatally shooting Michigan

State Police Trooper Paul K. Butterfield II in the head at 6:20 p.m. Sept. 9. Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola expects to fin-

ish with his witnesses this morning. If Glancy calls no one — and he’s only listed Eric Knysz as a potential defense witness — the

Also publicly revealed Monday: Sarah, six months pregnant at the time of the shooting and a week away from delivery when she was sentenced to prison, said her baby boy was born Christmas Day. His name is Jayden, she said. Just before Eric Knysz rejected a cross-examination of his wife, Spaniola had read aloud to the jury the contents of a letter that appeared to be from Eric Knysz, mailed from the Mason County Jail to Sarah Knysz’s attorney, John Spillan, after she pleaded guilty but before her sentencing for accessory after the fact to a felony and car theft. In the letter, Eric claims everything Sarah did to help him after the shooting, he forced her to do at gunpoint, including a claim that she tried to get out of the truck to help the trooper after Eric shot him. SEE SUSPECT, A2

FRUITLAND TOWNSHIP

Dogs found dead along side of road Sheriff’s officials and animal rights activists are trying to find out who is responsible for the the two dogs found dead along Hyde Park Road. Deputies would not speculate on what happened to the dogs, but a rescue group believes they were used for dog fighting. Details, A3

DAILY QUOTE

“

This is a big opportunity for the future of Muskegon.” MUSKEGON COUNTY COMMISSIONER TERRY SABO, ON THE FUTURE OF THE SAPPI AND COBB PLANT SITES. DETAILS, A6

INDEX

Advice.............. C10 Classiﬁed............ B7

MUSKEGON

City ‘is not waiting for a casino,’ mayor says By Dave Alexander

The U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Federal Acknowledgment promised As the concept of an the tribe a “proposed finding” Indian casino in downtown by Dec. 1. That could result Muskegon on the Harbor in the tribe’s recognition, 31 business park site resurfaces, Muskegon Mayor Steve launching the next process of putting the Harbor 31 land “in Gawron reiterated the city’s trust” and securing a casino impatience with a lack of compact, which could take development on the wateran undetermined amount of front site. time. The Grand River Bands of “I won’t wait for a casino,” Ottawa Indians seem to have Gawron said of news of the made significant progress tribe’s progress. “We need toward federal recognition, which would allow the tribe to development now.” Gawron’s comment reflects pursue a development agreethe frustration of some city ment for such a casino. dalexan1@mlive.com

Comics ............... C6 Local................... A3

Lottery ................ A2 Nation............... A10

Obituaries........... A9 Opinion............. A12

MORE INSIDE Are Cobb, Sappi sites liabilities or opportunities? Details, A6

commissioners who believe the city cannot wait for a long casino approval process to play out. However, Gawron and city leaders appear to continue to back the idea of a downtown casino in concept. The city faces increased bond payments on the Grand Valley State University alternative energy center at

Sports................. B1 Stocks............... A11

A 2005 aerial view shows what was then called the Edison Landing SmartZone, a business park development on Muskegon Lake which has been renamed Harbor 31. (MLive.com ﬁle) SEE MAYOR, A8

TV ....................... C5 Weather............ A13

FEEDBACK

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MU DAILY

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Local&More Suspect

CONTINUED FROM A1

That claim contradicts Sarah’s own testimony, as well as Eric’s earlier recorded statements to police confessing to the shooting. Before that, under questioning by Spaniola, Sarah Knysz retold essentially the same story she told at her guilty plea. She was composed for much of the tale, but cried when describing the trooper’s shooting. MUFFLER WAS LOUD

After Butterfield turned his car around and pulled over behind the Chevy pickup truck Eric was driving, she testified, Eric told her he was sorry but he “had to shoot him” because he “didn’t want to go to prison.” Eric Knysz, 20, of Irons, was driving with a suspended license, she testified. In a recording of Eric’s confession to a police detective Sept. 12, he said the same thing. He also had allegedly stolen guns in the truck. Sarah testified about the trooper, “he turned around and hit his lights... He came up to the window. He asked us how it’s going,” and Eric shot him, she said.

CONTACT US Muskegon mlive.com/muskegon Peg West Editor pwest@mlive.com 231.683.2321 Eric Gaertner Managing Producer for government, business, entertainment and multi-media egaertne@mlive.com 231.683.2322 Scott DeCamp Managing Producer for public safety, education and sports sdecamp1@mlive.com 231.683.2373 By Department munews@mlive.com musports@mlive.com mubusiness@mlive.com muentertainment@mlive.com Letters muletters@mlive.com Jamie Dionne Director of Sales jdionne@mlive.com 616.780.0118 Obituaries obitads@mlive.com 231.726.3200 Customer Service/Delivery customercare@mlive.com 877.814.9404

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DELIVERY

She also testified about a possible reason for Butterfield pulling over the truck, which has never been explained: It had a muffler “loud enough to upset people,” she said. Before he got out, Butterfield had radioed to Central Dispatch his location and the license plate of the vehicle he was pulling over. That information ultimately led to the couple’s apprehension. ‘I SHOT HIM’

Knysz said he was carrying a handgun in his pants and pulled it out and put it in his lap when the trooper pulled up. Knysz also said he had been illegally buying and using morphine for pain since injuring his back at work in 2009. “I just didn’t feel right,” he said, about Sept. 9. “I don’t know if it was pain or if it was depression or what it was.” He said he took extra pain pills that day. Asked by Green if there was anything he wanted to say to the family of the trooper, it sounded as if Knysz began crying. “Please hand them my sincere apologies,” he said. “I could do anything to change that, I would. If I could have him shoot me instead, I would.” In court while this was played, Knysz looked down, but he didn’t appear visibly emotional.

Earlier Monday, Spaniola played a detailed, recorded confession in which Eric Knysz admitted shooting Butterfield for fear of being arrested. Audio of a second hospital-room interview Sept. 12 between Knysz and state police Detective Gary Green was clearer and more audible in court than the first interview recorded Sept. 10, though parts were still difficult to understand. “I seen the officer pull off to the side of the road ... He turned around, and he walked up to the truck ... and I shot him,” Knysz said on the recording. After the trooper was shot, Knysz said, “He just fell.” The second interview was played in court Monday morning while jurors followed on written transcripts supplied by Spaniola. Knysz said he was driving on a suspended license when a state trooper pulled over the pickup truck.

In the recorded interview, Knysz also described other details of the events of that day. He admitted stealing guns from his father and selling some of them to a man in Ludington, and stealing a car in the Walhalla area after shooting the trooper. He said his wife and his mother, Tammi Lynne Spofford, didn’t help him steal the car. Both knew he had shot a trooper, he said. After the shooting, he said, his wife was “bawling

OBITUARIES LIST

BIRTHS

TUESDAY, FEB. 25, 2014

MUSKEGON COUNTY

Obituaries are on Page A9. For more information, go to MLive.com.

ANDRES, James and Katie, Muskegon, at Mercy Health-Hackley, a boy. BATTLE, Derek and Leah POORT, Muskegon, at Mercy Health-Hackley, a girl. BECKLIN, Brandon and Rachel, Muskegon, at Mercy Health-Hackley, a girl. BOYETTE, Phillip Jr. and Martha, Muskegon, at Mercy Health-Hackley, a girl. COLES, James Jr. and Martina HARDIMAN, Muskegon, at Mercy Health-Hackley, a boy. DUFFEY, Kaitlyn, Muskegon, at Mercy Health-Hackley, a girl. GARCIA, Aroldo and Ashley DRIZA, Norton Shores, at Mercy HealthHackley, a girl. HELSEN, Zachary and Heather MCCOMBS, Muskegon, at Mercy Health-Hackley, a boy. HILL, Joseph and Bethany, Muskegon, at Mercy Health-Hackley, a girl. HOBSON, Dominique, Muskegon Heights, at Mercy Health-Hackley, a boy. LAWSON, Shaqueia, Muskegon, at Mercy Health-Hackley, a girl. LEWIS, Naomi, Muskegon, at Mercy Health-Hackley, a boy. MASSER, Zachary and Kali DODGE, Muskegon, at Mercy Health-Hackley, a girl. NELSON, Richard and Jodi PRESCOTT, Muskegon, at Mercy Health-Hackley, a girl. ORCUTT, Cody and Jamie GRAVES, Norton Shores, at Mercy HealthHackley, a boy. PENA, Andres and Katie LARSON, Muskegon, at Mercy Health-Hackley, a boy. SANDOVAL, Spencer and Amy, Muskegon, at Mercy Health-Hackley, a boy. SPARKS, Raeann, Muskegon, at Mercy Health-Hackley, a girl. STAFFORD, Andrew and Leslie, Norton Shores, at Mercy HealthHackley, a boy. UFNAL, Christopher and Kelly, Muskegon, at Mercy Health-Hackley, a boy.

ADAMS Warren, 80, of Shelby (Harris Funeral Home) MOORE Clarabelle, 81, of Muskegon (Sytsema Funeral Homes, Inc.) SOUTH Eloise, 90, of Muskegon (Sytsema Funeral Homes, Inc.) WESTHOFF Richard, 82, of Spring Lake (VanZantwick Bartels Kammeraad Funeral Homes, Inc.)

LOTTERY Results from Monday: Midday Daily 3: 250 Midday Daily 4: 7795 Daily 3: 064 Daily 4: 5416 Fantasy 5: 12, 15, 18, 24, 39 Poker Lotto: 8 of Clubs, King of Diamonds, 8 of Diamonds, Queen of Spades, Queen of Hearts Keno: 6, 8, 10, 11, 14, 23, 32, 38, 45, 46, 49, 50, 53, 58, 61, 64, 65, 66, 72, 73, 76, 79 Monday’s Fantasy 5 jackpot was worth $110,000. Tuesday’s Mega Millions jackpot is worth $195 million. Wednesday’s Classic Lotto 47 jackpot is worth $4.05 million. Wednesday’s Powerball jackpot is worth $50 million. More results at mlive.com/lottery.

ADMITTED GUN THEFT

her eyes out. Couldn’t help me much.” Asked if she or his mother were scared of him, he said, “No.” Knysz also told the detective he removed a spent bullet casing from the gun he used to shoot the trooper and threw it out the window of the truck he was driving near the former Camp Sauble prison on Freesoil Road. Based on that, detectives the next day found the casing, which was later matched with Knysz’s gun. He also told of throwing his cell phone out the window at a different point. That was not found. In a brief cross-examination of Green after the audio was played, defense attorney David Glancy focused on Knysz’s use of pain pills and on his cooperation with the detective, including revealing where the cartridge casing could be found. FATHER AND SON

Late in the afternoon, Eric’s father testified against his son. John Knysz testified that Eric did not have permission to take some eight guns from the father’s collection of approximately 30 guns in John Knysz’s large rural home in Irons. He said some of the guns he hadn’t seen in more than 30 years, since shortly after moving to Michigan. Most of the guns John Knysz has owned since he was a police officer in Illinois, he testified, including a handgun and a long

John Knysz looks at his gun that was used in the killing of Michigan State Police Trooper Paul K. Butterﬁeld II on Sept. 9. Knysz is questioned by Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola as part of the murder trial for his son, Eric Knysz on Monday in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court in Ludington. (Ken Stevens/MLive.com)

gun he used on the job. The handgun allegedly used to kill Butterfield, he said he bought for about $600 in the 1970s. The elder Knysz said his son did have standing permission to use the father’s Chevy pickup truck that Eric Knysz was driving when Butterfield pulled him over. Eric also had permission to come and go as he pleased to his father’s house, John Knysz testified. John Knysz works the night shift at Little River Casino in Manistee, and he acknowledged that Eric could have come into his house and stolen his guns while he was working. According to testimony

and recordings of Eric’s statements to police, Eric was returning from Ludington, where he had sold five of the stolen guns — with three still in the truck — when Butterfield pulled Eric and Sarah Knysz over on Custer Road north of Townline Road in Freesoil Township. Eric Knysz hoped to use the money from the gun sale to help buy a white Pontiac Grand Prix from a man in Walhalla, according to testimony. Also testifying Monday were Travis Gajewski, who said he bought five guns from Eric Knysz on Sept. 9, and several police witnesses.

LAKETON TOWNSHIP 2014 BOARD OF REVIEW

WALKER, Sherod and Casey WALLACE, Muskegon Heights, at Mercy Health-Hackley, a boy. WEMPLE, Matthew and Brandy WARD, Muskegon, at Mercy HealthHackley, a boy. WILLIAMS, Hubert Sr. and Christie CLARK, Muskegon Heights, at Mercy Health-Hackley, a boy. WRIGHT, Tyler and Gabrielle DEMAIO, Twin Lake, at Mercy Health-Hackley, a boy. YOUNTS, Lee and Catherine CUMBEE, Norton Shores, at Mercy Health-Hackley, a girl.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN: that the 2014 March Board of Review will meet for hearings of citizen’s protest at the Laketon Township Hall, 2735 W. Giles Rd, Muskegon, MI 49445. As follows: BOARD OF REVIEW MEETING SCHEDULE Monday March 10, 2014 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm By appointment Wednesday March 12, 2014 9:00 am to 3:00 pm By appointment Please call Laketon Township Hall at 231-744-2454 to schedule appointments. You may also protest in writing, instructions are on your assessment notice. Written protest must reach the Board of Review by 3/12/14 at 3:00 pm. The tentative ratios and estimated multipliers for the Township of Laketon for 2014, as calculated by the Muskegon County Equalization Bureau are: CLASSIFICATION Commercial Residential Personal

OCEANA COUNTY

MORRELL, Justin and Andrea, New Era, at Mercy Health-Hackley, a girl. ELSEWHERE

JEFFERSON, Rodnica, East Lansing, at Mercy Health-Hackley, a girl. POSTMA, Jerrud and Karen, Kentwood, at Spectrum Health, a girl. PYLE, Derrick and Jillian, Zeeland, at Spectrum Health, a boy. STORCK, Timothy and Ashley AMAYA, Grand Rapids, at Spectrum Health, a girl. ZILKA, Brian and Kristi, Kent City, at Spectrum Health, a boy.

MULTIPLIER .96880 1.0423 1.00000

Publish: February 25th, 2014, February 27th, 2014 and March 2nd, 2014

4775907-01

2014 BOARD OF REVIEW CITY OF MUSKEGON

NEWAYGO COUNTY

ALLAN, Christopher and Christine, Fremont, at Spectrum Health, a girl. HUSKAMP, Daniel and Krystal, White Cloud, at Spectrum Health, a boy. RICKERT, Matthew Lawrence and Cassie Marie STEWART, White Cloud, at Spectrum Health, a girl.

RATIO 51.61 47.97 50.00

2014 GENERAL ASSESSMENT ROLL Notice is hereby given that the Board of Review of the City of Muskegon, MI will meet in Conference Rooms 100 and 112 at Muskegon County South Campus Complex (Equalization), 173 East Apple Avenue, Muskegon, Michigan. The meeting dates & times are as follows: Mon. March 10 & Thurs. March 13, 2014 Tues. March 11, 2014

9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (Hearings) 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM (Hearings)

The tentative ratios and factors for the City of Muskegon for the year 2014 are: REAL PROPERTY Agricultural Commercial Industrial Residential

RATIO 50.00 50.14 49.98 48.65

FACTOR 1.00000 0.99800 1.00040 1.02774

PERSONAL PROPERTY Commercial Industrial Residential Utilities

50.00 50.00 50.00 50.00

1.00000 1.00000 1.00000 1.00000

For further information or to schedule a Board of Review appointment, contact the Muskegon County Equalization Department at (231)724-6681. The County of Muskegon will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audio tapes of printed materials being considered at the meeting upon 24 hours notice to the County of Muskegon. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the County of Muskegon by writing or calling the Administrator, Hall of Justice, 990 Terrace Street, Muskegon, Michigan 49442 at (231)724-6520. PUBLISH: February 20, 23, & 25, 2014

4786607-01

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SPORT S / B1

LOCAL / A3

INJURIES KILLED DOGS, OFFICIALS SAY

RED WINGS TAKE TO ICE WITH PURPOSE TODAY’S MUST-READS HART

Judge rules in Electric Forest dispute

An Oceana County circuit judge has ruled against a promoter that sought to enforce a lease agreement for this summer’s Electric Forest festival. AEG Live’s request for a restraining order was turned down, but a lawyer for the festival’s co-organizer said the litigation will not affect this year’s event. Details, A3 MUSKEGON TOWNSHIP

Sex oﬀender accused of peeping at tanning room A convicted sex offender is accused of using his phone to try to record images of a person undressing in a tanning room. Police said the man was a customer of an adjoining laundromat. Details, A2

Chaco Baco is one of the 10 food items West Michigan Whitecaps fans can vote to add to Fifth Third Ballpark’s concessions. (Cory Morse/ MLive.com) GRAND RAPIDS

Whitecaps’ menu poll features 10 ﬁnalists The annual poll to determine which fan-submitted food idea will be added to the concessions menu at Fifth Third Ballpark is open on the West Michigan Whitecaps’ website. Ten finalists, some from far beyond left field, have emerged from the hundreds of suggestions. Details, A4

DAILY QUOTE It is unfortunate that “it takes a case like this

to point out the potential for harm from producing food items in an unsafe manner.” AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR JAMIE CLOVER ADAMS. DETAILS, A4

INDEX

Advice................ A9 Classiﬁed............ B5

LUDINGTON

Eric Knysz guilty as charged in murder of police trooper Paul K. Butterﬁeld II

Justice served By John S. Hausman

jhausman@mlive.com

t took a Mason County jury 90 minutes to find Eric John Knysz guilty as charged of the murder of Michigan State Police Trooper Paul K. Butterfield II.

The panel of nine women and three men found Knysz, 20, of Irons, guilty of firstdegree murder of a peace officer, felony firearm, carrying a concealed weapon and unlawfully driving away an automobile (car theft). Sentencing by Mason County Circuit Judge Richard I. Cooper was set for 4 p.m. April 8. There’s no suspense involved: On the top count, first-degree murder, the mandatory sentence is life in prison without chance of parole. After the verdict was read, the trooper’s father, Paul T. Butterfield, and fianceé, Jennifer Sielski, began crying. Eric Knysz showed no visible emotion as the verdict was read or as he was quickly ushered out of the courtroom afterward by Mason County Sheriff’s deputies, walking with the aid of a cane because a state trooper

Above, Eric Knysz sits Tuesday during a break in his murder trial for the death of Michigan State Police Trooper Paul T. Butterfield II. Butterfield’s father, Paul K. Butterfield, stands in the background while wearing a mask to protect himself as he fights leukemia. Left, Butterfield embraces his son’s fianceé, Jennifer Sielski, after guilty verdicts were read against Knysz. (Ken Stevens/MLive.com)

shot him in the knee before his arrest in September. For the trooper’s family and friends, the emotion continued with hugs among the family, several of the multitude of state police officials and troopers in the courtroom, and Mason

County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola, who won the case. The senior Butterfield — a “tough-as-nails” retired state police investigator himself, in the words of Spaniola — said “I should be happy,” as he wept. In a brief news confer-

ence after the verdict, Sielski said of the verdict, “it’s just another chapter. “I still go home, I still breathe, and I still pick up the pieces of my life.” Spaniola expressed his “sadness in the whole incident. My heart goes out first

of all to Paul’s father, Paul T. Butterfield, stepmother Pat, and fianceé Jen Sielski. “This was a difficult case to prosecute from an emotional standpoint,” Spaniola said. He said he knew the trooper professionally and had worked with him on several cases. In a one-on-one interview later, Spaniola said, “there’s no joy, there’s no elation” in the verdict. “It’s a sense of accomplishment. “We still lost a trooper. We still lost a law-enforcement officer. It was a matter of doing my job and seeing his killer was brought to justice.” SEE JUSTICE, A2

RE AC T ION

I still go home, I still We still lost a trooper. We still lost I feel strongly that a cold-blooded I should be “breathe, “ “ “happy.” and I still pick a law-enforcement oﬃcer. It was a killer of Trooper Paul Butterﬁeld was PAUL T. BUTTERFIELD, FATHER OF PAUL K. BUTTERFIELD II

up the pieces of my life.” JENNIFER SIELSKI, FIANCEÉ OF PAUL K. BUTTERFIELD II

matter of doing my job and seeing his killer was brought to justice.”

found guilty today.”

COL. KRISTE KIBBE ETUE, DIRECTOR OF THE MICHIGAN STATE POLICE

MASON COUNTY PROSECUTOR PAUL SPANIOLA

MUSKEGON COUNTY

Unoﬃcial results: Voters approve tax increase for schools The 1-mill proposal passed by narrow margin, will be used for tech, security upgrades By Stephen Kloosterman sklooste@mlive.com

Voters approved a tax increase to fund technology and security upgrades at public school districts

Comics ............. A10 Local................... A3

Lottery ................ A2 Nation................. A5

in the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District in Tuesday’s election. The proposed millage increase narrowly succeeded, with 6,285 “yes” votes — or 51 percent of voters — favoring it, and 6,099 or — 49 percent — voting against it, according to unofficial numbers reported elec-

Opinion............... A8 Scoreboard......... B4

tion night by the Muskegon County Clerk. “We’re thankful for the kids of Muskegon County,” Muskegon Area Intermediate School District Superintendent Dave Sipka said. He said the millage would affect about 27,000 children in the area. “We appreciate all those

Sports................. B1 Stocks................. A7

TV ..................... A12 Weather............ A12

MORE INSIDE who took the time to vote (Tuesday). We’re just grate- Walkerville voters say no ful,” Sipka said to backhoe, A2 The vote totals were close all night until all precincts reported around 11 p.m. — The 1-mill property tax making for a nail-biter of an evening for area educators. is for 10 years and will be “We knew it was going to distributed to 11 public school districts on a be close,” Sipka said. “We said every vote is going to SEE VOTE, A2 count this election.”

FEEDBACK

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MU DAILY

A2 / WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2014 / MUSKEGON CHRONICLE

Local&More MUSKEGON TOWNSHIP

Owner ‘horriﬁed’ that sex oﬀender tried recording customer undressing

Letters muletters@mlive.com

Jamie Dionne Director of Sales jdionne@mlive.com 616.780.0118 Obituaries obitads@mlive.com 231.726.3200 Customer Service/Delivery customercare@mlive.com 877.814.9404

DELIVERY Muskegon Chronicle Published seven days a week by Mlive Media Group at 379 West Western Ave., Suite 100, Muskegon, MI 49440 Phone 231-728-9554 or 877-814-9404 Postage paid at Muskegon, MI Publication identiﬁcation: (USPS 368-860) Postmaster Send address changes to Advance Central Services, 3102 Walker Ridge Dr., Walker, MI 49544 Subscription Rates Tues-Thur-Sun $3.70 per week Thur-Sun $2.71 per week By Mail: Tues-Thur-Sun $5.00 per week Sunday Only $4.50 per week

Archer believes the Feb. 18 incident will add problems for his business. “Now we have to deal with the financial ramifications. It’s no reflection of my staff or my wife or myself,” Archer said of the incident. The Archers have several other businesses in the county, including another laundromat with tanning beds in Roosevelt Park. Authorities have not released the name of the suspect, as a warrant hadn’t been formally signed by a Muskegon magistrate or judge as of Tuesday night. He has a lengthy criminal record, according to the Michigan Department of Corrections. He was convicted of criminal sexual conduct, second degree, in 2007, and spent prison time for home invasion, assault with a dangerous weapon and resisting and obstructing a police officer. He was paroled on Sept. 24. Muskegon County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Timothy Maat said authorities were alerted to the incident by a woman at the laundromat when the incident occurred. Police arrived to the scene and took statements from those there. “It’s alleged he used a phone with a camera to try and record a customer in the tanning booth,” Maat said. The Muskegon County Prosecutor’s Office is encouraging anyone who believes they were recorded by someone at the business to call 231777-1666. “Our office is encouraging any other possible victims to come forward with information and to contact the Muskegon Township Police (Department). Our office commends the quick action and thorough investigation of law enforcement that led to our office filing charges,” Maat said.

WALKERVILLE

Village voters strike down ﬁnancing of backhoe By Stephen Kloosterman sklooste@mlive.com

The Village of Walkerville in the northeast corner of Oceana County will go back to the drawing board after voters struck down financing for a backhoe that the city council hoped to purchase. Voters denied the measure, with 25 no votes to 16 yes votes, according to unofficial results on the Oceana County Clerk’s website. The village has about 250 residents — fewer than half of which are registered voters, village president Jerry Frick said last week. As results rolled in Tuesday night, Frick didn’t know what the village’s next step would be. “I don’t know yet,” he said. “We don’t know what’s going to (happen) now.” The new backhoe would

Vote

CONTINUED FROM A1

per-pupil basis. The millage is expected to collect $4.3 million per year with each district receiving $160 per student. Muskegon Heights Public Schools will not receive a share because its schools are charter schools. Local school boards will decide how to spend the money on technology or security improvements. One mill of property tax equals $1 for every $1,000

have been used for routine work at the village’s cemetery, park and sewer system, and with snow removal and street sweeping. The village’s tax rate wouldn’t have increased as a part of the project, Frick has said. The village already had more than half of the money it needs for the project from a $33,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Frick said. The rest of the money would have come from a bond — about $27,000 of debt, no more than $30,000 — that would have been paid for gradually from the village’s general fund and guaranteed by the village’s taxes. The matter wouldn’t have even reached the ballot if a village resident hadn’t gathered signatures on a petition during December 2013, Frick said earlier.

of taxable value, which generally is half of a home’s market value. That means the owner of a home with a market value of $200,000 will pay $100 more per year, while owners of a home with a market value of $82,000 will pay $41 more per year. The MAISD sought the millage on behalf of the local districts, but will not receive any of the proceeds. Area superintendents said before the election they would issue annual reports about how they are spending the money if the millage passed.

Jennifer Sielski, the fianceé of late Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Butterfield, speaks Tuesday during a post trial news conference after a jury convicted Eric Knysz of first-degree murder in the killing of Butterfield. Prosecuting Attorney Paul Spaniola, left, and Michigan State Police Col. Kriste Kibbe Etue listen in the background. (Ken Stevens/MLive.com)

Justice

car while fleeing after shooting Butterfield, and selling stolen guns in Ludington earlier in the day. Sarah Knysz testified under the terms of a plea agreement with the prosecutor. She pleaded guilty as charged to accessory after the fact to a felony and car theft and agreed to testify truthfully in exchange for not being charged with more serious crimes — presumably murder as an accomplice, although the exact crime potentially charged was never stated at the trial. She’s now serving a prison term of two to five years.

CONTINUED FROM A1

Col. Kriste Kibbe Etue, director of the Michigan State Police, attended the last day of the trial Tuesday. “I feel strongly that a coldblooded killer of Trooper Paul Butterfield was found guilty today,” Etue said. “This is an emotional day for ... law enforcement in general.” She thanked Spaniola for his work. No juror wanted to be interviewed. Knysz’s attorney, David Glancy, and Knysz’s family left the courtroom before they could be questioned. Knysz, after a six-day trial, was convicted of fatally shooting Butterfield in the head after the trooper pulled over Knysz and his wife, Sarah Renee Knysz, in a traffic stop around 6:20 p.m. Sept. 9, 2013, on Custer Road north of Townline Road in rural Mason County’s Freesoil Township. Butterfield had called in the truck’s license plate number and his location before getting out of his patrol car. That led ultimately to the couple’s capture. According to Sarah Knysz’s testimony and recorded police interviews with Eric Knysz, he shot Butterfield because he was driving on a suspended license — a suspension that was due to end less than six hours later — and had concealed firearms in the truck, a felony, and feared going to jail. It has never been established why Butterfield pulled the truck over, but Sarah Knysz mentioned one possibility in her testimony Monday: The truck had a muffler “loud enough to upset people.”

KNYSZ DID NOT TESTIFY

Eric Knysz did not testify in his own defense, and his public defender, Glancy, did not call any other witnesses. In his closing argument, Glancy suggested Eric

EVIDENCE OF GUILT

In his closing argument to jurors Tuesday afternoon, Spaniola said all the evidence pointed to Eric Knysz’s guilt, including: • Eric’s two recorded confessions to police, Sept. 10 and 12, 2013, at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, and a letter he mailed to his wife’s attorney taking the blame; • the eyewitness testimony of Sarah Knysz; • testimony by Eric’s father, ex-Illinois police officer John Knysz, of Irons, who testified he let Eric use his truck but that Eric had stolen eight of his guns that day; • Trooper Butterfield’s DNA in blood found on the door of the pickup truck Eric was driving and on paper napkins found in a burn barrel near his mother’s home; • recovery of a shell casing proven to have been fired from a gun Eric dropped when shot by police outside a Manistee County gas station, at a place where Eric told police he threw it; • Eric’s fingerprints on the barrel of the murder weapon; • other witness testimony about Eric’s actions Sept. 9, including theft of a

Knysz’s confessions may have been meant to protect his wife, pointed to Sarah Knysz’s plea deal, questioned the fingerprint evidence, noted that Eric’s DNA had not been found on the bloody napkin, and argued that police had only seen his mother, Tammi Lynne Spofford, driving the pickup truck that night. According to witnesses, Spofford drove the truck back home at Eric’s direction after he and Sarah Knysz picked her up, then stole a car in Walhalla, as part of his attempt to flee after shooting the trooper. Spofford has refused to testify against her son and faces charges of accessory after the fact to a felony and car theft. Many state police and other law-enforcement officers filled the courtroom Tuesday.

Eric Knysz, right, stands and waits Tuesday during jury deliberations in his murder trial in Ludington. Knysz’s grandmother, Phyllis Knysz, left, and his father, John Knysz stand behind him. The jury found Knyz, 20, of Irons, guilty of first-degree murder in the killing of Michigan state trooper Paul Butterfield II during a traffic stop in September.

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Mega Ball: 15 x5

Megaplier:

Tuesday’s Fantasy 5 jackpot was worth $115,000. Tuesday’s Mega Millions jackpot was worth $195 million. Wednesday’s Classic Lotto 47 jackpot is worth $4.05 million. Wednesday’s Powerball jackpot is worth $50 million. More results at mlive.com/ lottery.

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ment in Muskegon County 60th District Court on two charges: Attempting to capture images of an unclothed person, a five-year felony; and lying to police, a two-year, high court misdemeanor. By Heather Lynn Peters The defendant also is a hpeters@mlive.com fourth-time habitual offender, which increases the maxiNo one is more “horrified” mum possible penalty to life over allegations that a conand 15 years, respectively, victed sex offender stood on according to the prosecutor’s top of a tanning booth at a Muskegon Township business office. Police believe the suspect and tried to secretly record wasn’t successful in his someone undressing in the adjoining room than the busi- attempt to record the victim undressing in the other room. ness owner himself. Investigators don’t believe Mark Archer, owner any images exist on the man’s of Archers Speed Queen Laundromat, 2179 East Apple phone. Archer said the man allegAve., said he is reeling from edly climbed on top of a chair the Feb. 18 allegations that someone attempted to record with his phone and then a customer undressing there. “wrecked” a tanning bed by standing on it in an effort to The laundromat also has tanning beds inside the same record someone undressing in an adjoining room. facility. “We are horrified,” Archer The suspect, a 37-year-old said Tuesday. “I certainly feel convicted sex offender on victimized.” parole at the time of the inciArcher said he is taking dent, is lodged in the Ottawa extra security measures County Jail awaiting arraignsince the incident. The rooms already have 8-foot ceilings, he said, and it appears the CONTACT US man reached over the dividing Muskegon wall in an effort to videotape a mlive.com/muskegon customer with his phone. “I can’t combat a phone Peg West reaching over the wall,” Editor Archer said. “I can’t help it if pwest@mlive.com someone climbed up on top of 231.683.2321 a chair and wrecked my tanEric Gaertner ning bed.” Managing Producer for governArcher said, while he can ment, business, entertainment and control who he hires at the multi-media business, he certainly has egaertne@mlive.com no way of weeding out sex 231.683.2322 offenders and parolees as cusScott DeCamp tomers. Managing Producer for public Adding to the embarrassing safety, education and sports publicity because of the incisdecamp1@mlive.com dent, Archer said this year has 231.683.2373 started out difficult with the By Department extraordinary winter weather munews@mlive.com keeping many customers musports@mlive.com inside. mubusiness@mlive.com It has been a tough year muentertainment@mlive.com financially, he said, and, now,

Convicted sex offender arrested for allegedly using phone to try to snoop at laundromat

*Odds of winning depend on the total number of tickets sold through April 14, 2014. There will be one $40,000 prize for every 30,000 tickets sold. There will be 17 prizes of $100, 616 prizes of $50, and 1,033 prizes of $15 for every 10,000 tickets sold. If you bet more than you can afford to lose, you’ve got a problem. Call 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help. $40,000 winning ticket holders will receive a net prize amount. To arrive at the net prize value, the Lottery will hold and deposit on behalf of each prize winner the required state and federal income taxes on the gross prize. The federal income tax rate is subject to change and will be determined at the same time a prize winner files their claim. The Lottery is not responsible for additional taxes in excess of the amount withheld by the Lottery that may be due when a prize winner files all tax returns for the year the prize is claimed.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014

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MICHIGAN STATE SHOOTS DOWN PURDUE

COUPLE ENJOY BROOKHAVEN WEDDING MUSKEGON

TODAY’S MUST-READS

Legendary coach made his mark

MUSKEGON

Man gains recognition long after his death

There is a scrapbook of newspaper clippings, photographs and other memorabilia. There were limited family stories and the occasional hushed or seemingly forbidden mentions of the reviled Robert Irving Latimer. But it was not until recently that the Hester family, of Muskegon, learned the full story of their grandfather, George Haight, the largely forgotten gatekeeper Latimer poisoned to death in 1893 at Jackson’s old state prison. Details, A4 NORTON SHORES

Water main break causes road closure

An early afternoon water main break Thursday afternoon prompted a street closure on Grand Haven Road between Porter and Hile streets in Norton Shores. Details, A2

WINTER OLYMPICS MEDAL COUNT

Western Michigan Christian’s Elmer Walcott died Wednesday at 88 By Mark Opfermann mopferma@mlive.com

Country

Gold Silver Bronze

2) Russia

2) Netherlands

4) Norway

5) Canada

Maddie Bowman, of the United States, center, celebrates Thursday after winning the gold medal in the women’s ski halfpipe ﬁnal at the 2014 Winter Olympics. More Olympics coverage in Sports. (AP)

DAILY QUOTE

“

I’m dying.”

TWEET FROM OLESYA ZHUKOVSKAYA, A WOUNDED VOLUNTEER MEDIC IN KIEV, UKRAINE, WHO WAS SHOT IN THE NECK. SHE SURVIVED SURGERY. DETAILS, A6

INDEX

Advice................ A9 Classiﬁed............ B5

SEE TRIAL, A2

SEE WALCOTT, A2

LUDINGTON

Troopers describe shooting, arresting murder suspect

‘He’s got a gun!’ jhausman@mlive.com

1) United States

and the dash and shooting ensued, Crofoot and Arendt testified. Knysz, 20, of the Irons area, is accused of shooting Butterfield after the trooper pulled over the couple in a traffic stop at 6:20 p.m. Sept. 9 on Custer Road north of Townline Road in rural Mason County’s Freesoil Township. They were in a red pickup owned by Knysz’s father, John “Jack” Knysz, of Irons, at that time. Eric Knysz is on trial in Mason County Circuit Court facing charges of murder of a peace officer, felony firearm, carrying a concealed weapon and motor vehicle theft. He is charged as a second-time habitual offender based on a 2008 Lake County conviction of first-degree home invasion. Also Thursday, other law-enforcement officers and technicians testified about other aspects of the manhunt for Knysz and its aftermath. Slightly earlier in the evening, Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy John Bennett testified, Bennett saw the red pickup coming toward him on a two-track — the pickup he was looking for, the one he’d been told was involved in Butterfield’s shooting.

Eric John Knysz, 20, stands in the courtroom Thursday on the third day of his trial before Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Judge Richard I. Cooper in Ludington. Knysz is charged with murder in the shooting death of Michigan State Police Trooper Paul K. Butterﬁeld II on Sept. 9. (Natalie Kolb/MLive.com)

By John S. Hausman

As of Thursday’s events

Elmer Walcott was remembered as a tough coach with tough teams during a career that spanned five decades at Western Michigan Christian. Not only did Walcott set the athletic standard high at WMC, leading the Warriors to four state championships in boys basketball and six trips to the state finals in all from 1958-1979, but he was a longtime teacher and administrator at the school and also involved in the Muskegon community as a mayor. Walcott Walcott died Wednesday after a lengthy illness. He was 88. Walcott’s basketball teams at WMC won Class C state titles in 1958, 1962, 1965 and 1970, and had state runner-up finishes in 1959 in Class C and 1979 in Class D. He returned for a short stint as the WMC girls basketball coach in the mid-1990s and finished his career with more than 400 victories. He also coached WMC to a Class C-D boys tennis title in 1958. He was inducted into the Muskegon Area Sports Hall of Fame in 1988 and also selected to the Michigan Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame. “He was a tough coach. He didn’t fool around and had very disciplined teams, and that’s what you want to be, and that’s what gave him his success,” said Fred VandenBrand, who played for Walcott 1959-61 and remains at the school as an athletic director and sports information director. VandenBrand said Walcott was a bit of a taskmaster and a stickler for fundamentals that included preaching the bounce pass, but he also saw a soft side, too, that others may not have seen. VandenBrand said his parents divorced when he was young, and Walcott stepped in as a father figure during his days as a high school student. “You might not realize it,

Comics ............. A10 Local................... A3

Lottery ................ A2 Nation................. A6

Jennifer Sielski, ﬁance of slain Michigan State Police Trooper Paul K. Butterﬁeld II enters the courtroom Thursday with State Police Lt. K.M. Leavitt.

Renee Knysz. She appeared behind the troopers and, unresisting, let them handcuff her after her husband was subdued and cuffed. The troopers who caught the couple told their story at Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court. They and throngs of other northwestern Michigan police officers had been hunting for a white 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix that Eric Knysz reportedly had stolen a short time before. They had a description of the couple — an early-20s white male and pregnant young white woman. Crofoot thought he spotted the car at the gas station and pulled in. He saw a white male

Obituaries........... A4 Opinion............... A8

matching Eric’s description pumping gas and pulled up behind him. He said the man looked at him, turned away and walked toward the gas station. Crofoot tapped his horn, and the man kept walking. He laid on his horn, and still no reaction. That told the trooper something wasn’t right. “A normal person would have turned around to see who was blowing the horn,” Crofoot said. Meanwhile, Arendt ran the white car’s plate and confirmed: It was the suspect vehicle. Knysz went into the gas station, at some point apparently tried to make a run for it out the back door,

Sports................. B1 Stocks................. A7

TV ..................... A12 Weather............ A12

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MU DAILY

A2 / FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014 / MUSKEGON CHRONICLE

Local&More NORTON SHORES

GRAND HAVEN

Water main break shuts down portion of Grand Haven Road between Porter and Hile Traffic rerouted on east side of Muskegon County Airport By Michelle D. Anderson manders6@mlive.com

An early afternoon water main break Thursday afternoon prompted a street closure on Grand Haven Road between Porter and Hile streets in Norton Shores. Public Works Director Jerry Bartoszek said the breach occurred at East Ellis and Grand Haven roads about 2:30 p.m. Work crews rerouted traffic in the vicinity, which is on the east side of the Muskegon County Airport. As of 4:25 p.m., Bartoszek said crews were working to identify utility lines so they could begin excavating the ground and fixing the

rupture. He said he does not know how long it will take to fix the break, but expected it would take longer than four hours. “It’s always hard to say what caused them,” Bartoszek said of the break. “It’s definitely weather related.” Bartoszek said the city has not determined if and how many residents or businesses were affected Thursday, but estimated at least a few properties in the neighboring residential area were without service. The city has experienced a spate of disruptions since December. Bartoszek said the aging cast iron water mains, along with the frost within the ground and fluctuating temperatures, make the breaks more common during the winter.

Bartoszek said Norton Shores responded to a water main break at Porter Road at McDowell Street last weekend. The disruption, which occurred Saturday afternoon, required assistance from Muskegon and Fruitport Township, because it occurred after hours and some workers were unavailable, he said. Work crews did not clear the area until Sunday morning, Bartoszek said. As a result of the disruption, at least one foot of water flowed into the basement of the residence at the lowest point in the area. During the city’s council meeting Tuesday, City Administrator Mark Meyers said the city was in contact with the property owner regarding an insurance claim.

Men sentenced in federal court for stealing ﬁrearms from gun stores By Brandon Champion bchampio@mlive.com

Joseph Jerry Sweet and Ronald Patrick Cook, two Grand Haven men who stole 32 firearms from two separate area gun shops and sold them to drug dealers, were sentenced in federal court Thursday in Grand Rapids. Sweet, 33, was sentenced to nearly 16 years in prison. Cook, 28, received a 13-year sentence. In addition, the defendants were ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $23,399.25 for the uncovered firearms and damage to the stores. Sweet and Cook broke into Renegade River store in

Spring Lake on June 27 and took eight firearms. On July 13, the two broke into Grasmeyer Brothers Gun & Supply Shop in Dalton Township and took 24 more firearms. Nine of the Grasmeyer firearms were recovered, but most were sold or traded to drug dealers, including an individual who was the defendants’ main heroin supplier. Both Grasmeyer Brothers Gun & Supply Shop and Renegade River store are federally licensed firearm dealers. Federal law prohibits the theft of firearms from Federal Firearms Licensees. As a result, the federal government took over the case

Aug. 7. Because it was a federal case, Muskegon County dropped its charges that day. “When it comes to gun violence, the Muskegon County Prosecutor’s Office will continue to work hard hand-inhand with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to make sure that those individuals who engage in illegal gun activity are removed from our neighborhoods so that we as a community are able to enjoy safe days and quiet nights,” Muskegon County Prosecutor D.J. Hilson said in a release. Both Sweet and Cook also will serve a three-year period of supervised release following their prison sentences.

Elmer Walcott was an active member in the Muskegon community and served as mayor in the 1980s. (MLive.com ﬁle)

Walcott

CONTINUED FROM A1

Eric Knysz watches as his father, John, right, talks with attorney David Glancy while on break during the third day of the murder trial. (Natalie Kolb/MLive.com)

Trial

CONTINUED FROM A1

Bennett, with another officer, took cover, then did a “felony traffic stop” of the truck. At the wheel wasn’t the shooting suspect but his 50-year-old mother, Tammi Lynne Spofford. She got out as ordered and answered questions, saying she had just driven her son and his wife to buy a white car in Walhalla, and she didn’t know where they went from there. “She said she didn’t know anything that was going on, that she wouldn’t cover for him,” Bennett said. Bennett then inspected the outside of the truck. “I observed blood splatter on the driver’s-side door and running board,” the deputy testified, his voice catching for a moment. He also saw a smear where grime had been wiped off, he said. The stop was made on the wooded, roughly 100-acre property of Eric’s father and grandmother. Spofford lived in a different home on the same property, with a twotrack trail linking the residences, officers testified. The officers were inspecting the property, looking for the truck. Just before he was shot, Butterfield had radi-

oed in his location and the license plate number of the vehicle he was stopping, the red pickup. Spofford faces charges of accessory after the fact to a felony — Butterfield’s murder — and motor vehicle theft. She’s accused of knowingly helping the Knyszes escape after the trooper was shot by driving them to where they allegedly stole a car that Eric Knysz had test-driven earlier in the day with plans to buy it. Sarah Knysz, 21, has been sentenced to prison for two to five years after pleading guilty as charged to the same counts Spofford faces. Sarah Knysz has agreed to testify against her husband. Spofford has stated she will assert her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination if called to testify at the trial, and she will not be required to do so. Other witnesses Thursday included a state police crime-scene investigator and fingerprint expert, Thomas Holcomb, who testified he found a latent print of Eric Knysz on the barrel of the .357 Colt Python handgun Knysz allegedly dropped outside the gas station. At one point Holcomb held up the gun — the one allegedly used to end Butterfield’s life — to show jurors.

LOTTERY Results from Thursday: Midday Daily 3: 195 Midday Daily 4: 6645 Daily 3: 119 Daily 4: 0618 Fantasy 5: 5, 13, 20, 28, 33 Poker Lotto: 3 of Spades, 8 of Hearts, 8 of Spades, 8 of Diamonds, 10 of Diamonds Keno: 1, 2, 6, 14, 19, 25, 30, 37, 43, 50, 51, 52, 53, 56, 61, 65, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 80

Late Wednesday result: Powerball: 1, 17, 35, 49, 54 Power Ball: 3 Thursday’s Fantasy 5 jackpot was worth $105,000. Friday’s Mega Millions jackpot is worth $172 million. Saturday’s Classic Lotto 47 jackpot is worth $3.85 million. Saturday’s Powerball jackpot is worth $40 million. More results at mlive.com/ lottery.

but years later, you’d think, ‘Wow, this person was really good for me,’” VandenBrand said. “One of the biggest things for me was, when I came to school here, I was kind of bashful or timid. Timid was not a word in his vocabulary. If you’re going to do something, he’d want you to go all out and do it. That was true in basketball and life.” It was that way for Walcott, as well, as he took on roles as coach, teacher and administrator at WMC for more than 35 years. VandenBrand chuckled when he thought about Walcott’s decision not to let bad weather call off school. “I never remember having a snow day, and I had to come in from Grand Haven,” VandenBrand said. “He said you can stay home when you can’t see the ball on top of the flagpole. We joked about cutting it off.” Steve Haney, who played on WMC’s state championship team in 1970, has vivid memories of Walcott as well. “I was kind of a hardheaded guy, and I don’t know if he thought I needed a little extra mentoring, but he stuck with me,” said Haney, a Montague resident. “He was really cool under pressure and very matter of fact. As a team, we really trusted his judgment. He really stressed team, discipline and hard work. His main objective was defense No. 1, rebounding No. 2 and hitting free throws.” Haney’s recollections also were about Walcott’s ability to give second chances to eating hard-boiled eggs on road trips. “He was such a prominent coach and all business, but off the court he just seemed to have a way of knowing things mattered to young men other than just basketball,” Haney said. Besides players, Walcott also helped mentor young coaches who went on to successful careers. Jim Goorman, who followed Walcott, continued WMC’s

Walcott had been a coach, teacher and administrator for WMC.

tradition as the Warriors won five state titles during his tenure. Goorman was on vacation in Florida and could not be reached for comment. Walcott was named Muskegon’s 64th mayor in 1982 in the midst of his first term as a city commissioner. He served as a twoterm mayor, and Walcott was part of many of the key economic development deci-

sions that led to the building of the Harbor Hilton Hotel, Harbour Towne and Lumbertown. Doug Doty, in his sixth year as principal at WMC, didn’t meet Walcott until the latter years of his life, but understands the legacy he left at the private school and in public service. Doty said Walcott was honored at the final game played at WMC’s old gymnasium and still attended school events after his retirement. “Elmer had a big impact on the community and Western Michigan Christian,” Doty said. “He is remembered as a coach that expected a lot from players and students and cared deeply about the school.” Walcott served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was a longtime member of Allen Avenue Christian Reformed Church. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, June; four children, a daughter-in-law, 18 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. A visitation is scheduled from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. today at the Sytsema Chapel on Apple Avenue. Funeral services are at noon Saturday at Allen Avenue Christian Reformed Church with a visitation one hour prior to the service.

2014 BOARD OF REVIEW NOTICE Fruitport Charter Township 6543 Airline Rd Fruitport, MI 49415 2014 BOARD OF REVIEW MEETING SCHEDULE The Fruitport Charter Township Board of Review for 2014 will be held at the Fruitport Township Hall, 6543 Airline Rd, Fruitport, MI 49415 on the following dates: Tuesday, March 4th, 9:00 am – Organizational Meeting Monday, March 10th, 9:00 am to noon and 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm – Appeal Hearing Tuesday, March 11th, 9:00 am to noon and 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm – Appeal Hearing Wednesday, March 12th, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm – Appeal Hearing The Board of Review will meet as many additional days as deemed necessary to hear questions, protests, and to equalize the 2014 assessments. The tentative ratios and estimated multipliers for each class of real property and personal property for 2014 are as follows: Agricultural Commercial Industrial Residential Personal Property

47.90% 49.40% 47.62% 48.07% 50.00%

1.04384 1.01214 1.04997 1.04010 1.00000

The Township will provide necessary and reasonable services to individuals with disabilities at the Board of Review meetings upon 5 days notice by writing or telephoning the Township Clerk, Carol Hulka, at 6543 Airline Rd, Fruitport, MI 49415 231-865-3151. Board of Review Members: Dave Jacobs, Jim Fett, George Manning, Dave Farhat and Brian Werschem as Secretary of Board of Review PUBLISH: February 21, 22, & 23 of 2014 4784271-01

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2014

$1.00 / POWER ING MLI VE .COM

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OH, CANADA: U.S. FALLS IN SEMIFINALS TODAY’S MUST-READS EGELSTON TOWNSHIP

Fire chief steps down after year in position

The revolving door to Egelston Township’s fire chief’s office continues to turn as the latest fire leader steps down after a year on the job. Dan Brentana is stepping down as the township’s deputy fire chief, which is the top position in the department. Brentana will return to his former position as lieutenant at the fire department, where he has worked for 16 years. Details, A3 MONTAGUE

Man indicted on wire fraud charges A 68-year-old former financial executive for a Florida resort community, now living in Montague, faces three counts of wire fraud for embezzlement of more than $2.3 million. Alfred Lenz was indicted by a federal grand jury this week. Details, A3

WINTER OLYMPICS MEDAL COUNT As of Friday

Country

Gold Silver Bronze

1) United States

2) Russia

3) Canada

4) Norway

4) Netherlands

SPRING LAKE POLICE CHIEF RESIGNS

LUDINGTON

Audio of Eric Knysz’s hospital statement after fatal shooting played in court

Sounds of agreement? DAY 4

Trial to resume Monday morning with playing of second taped interview

STATE TROOPER MURDER TRIAL Eric Knysz is on trial for the shooting death of Paul Butterﬁeld. Friday marked the fourth day of testimony. Here are the individuals called to the stand:

By John S. Hausman jhausman@mlive.com

An audio recording of what the prosecutor said was Eric John Knysz’s admission to shooting Michigan State Police Trooper Paul K. Butterfield II played in court late Friday. The interview with Michigan State Police Trooper Gary Green came around 6 a.m. Sept. 10, the morning after Butterfield was shot. Knysz, clearly in pain, had just come out of surgery after being shot in the knee before his arrest the night before, and his voice was soft, at times sleepy sounding — though at times angry — and at many points, hard to understand in the courtroom, including the points at which he answered questions about the moments he allegedly shot Butterfield. Jurors followed along with transcripts provided by Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola. Those were not provided to the public. Some of Knysz’s answers to Green’s questions were understandable and sounded like agreement that he had shot the trooper. For example: “What kind of car were you in when you shot the trooper?” “In my truck.” Knysz told Green he had a gun because “bad guys” were after him, and that he

Eric John Knysz, 20, right, sits next to his attorney David Glancy during the fourth day of his trial Friday before Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Judge Richard I. Cooper in Ludington. Knysz is charged with murder in the shooting death of Michigan State Police Trooper Paul K. Butterﬁeld II on Sept. 9 during a trafﬁc stop. (Natalie Kolb/MLive.com)

had gotten the gun on the “streets” in Grand Rapids. But later, he appeared to agree with the detective’s questions that he shot Butterfield because he didn’t want to “go back” to jail, answering “mm-hmm.” Court ran until about 6:20 p.m. Friday. The trial will resume Monday morning, apparently with the playing of a second interview with Knysz recorded Sept. 12. Also on the witness stand

Michigan State Police Lt. Jeff Crump holds a piece of evidence while testifying of a ballistics match during Friday’s court session. SEE TRIAL, A2

• An audio recording from Sept. 10 was played in which Knysz answered questions from Michigan State Police Trooper Gary Green. • Mark and Deborah Harris, friends of Knysz, testified Knysz said he ‘shot a police officer.’ • Detective Sgt. Jason Sinke described collecting and processing evidence. • State police DNA expert Kate Herrema testified Butterfield’s DNA matched blood smears on Knysz’s pickup truck. • State Police Lt. Jeff Crump testifield of a ballistics match for the Colt Python .357 magnum pistol Knysz allegedly dropped. • State Police Detective Sgt. Russell Karsten described collecting forensic evidence. • State Police Detective Sgt. Sally Wolter described attending Butterfield’s autopsy Sept. 10.

MUSKEGON COUNTY

Winter woes: Two sheriﬀ’s oﬃcers struck, three county plows stuck Mikaela Shiffrin won the women’s slalom gold medal Friday. More Olympics coverage in Sports, B1-B2. (AP)

DAILY QUOTE Yulia! “FreeFreeYulia!” A CHANT BY UKRAINE LEGISLATORS AS THEY VOTED TO FREE FORMER PRIME MINISTER YULIA TYMOSHENKO FROM PRISON. DETAILS, A6

INDEX

Advice................ A9 Classiﬁed............ B5

job it is to assist them, was snow whipped by high winds, which reduced visibility to zero at times. “They’re as bad as they’ve been all winter By Lynn Moore here,” Muskegon County lmoore8@mlive.com Undersheriff Dan Stout said of Two Muskegon County law the roads Friday afternoon. Sheriff Dean Roesler knew enforcement officers were struck by vehicles, three coun- it was going to be a bad one ty snow plows got stuck in the when he issued a travel advisnow, and stranded motorists sory Friday morning that warned motorists to stay off had to abandon their cars on the roads. He couldn’t have what some called the worst imagined how bad the condidriving day of the season tions would be for his own Friday. department, which saw two of The biggest hazard facing its officers struck at the same motorists, and those whose

Weather packs a wallop Friday with some of the worst conditions of the season

Comics ............. A10 Local................... A3

Lottery ................ A2 Mutual funds...... A8

Nation................. A6 Scoreboard......... B4

scene on the county’s hard-hit east side. A sheriff department sergeant was hit head-on while in his patrol car by a semitruck while at the scene of a half-dozen vehicles in snow banks on Moorland Road near Heights Ravenna Road. He had just been taken to the hospital to be “checked out,” when a car hit a sheriff deputy standing outside his vehicle at the same location, Stout said. The deputy also was transported to Hackley Hospital and was “stable,” Stout said,

Sports................. B1 Stocks................. A7

SEE WINTER, A2

TV ..................... A12 Weather............ A12

Tristan Jagnow, 17, left, and Curtis VanRaalte braved the blowing snow and cold weather to walk along West Forest Avenue in Muskegon earlier this week. (Ken Stevens/MLive.com)

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A2 / SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2014 / MUSKEGON CHRONICLE

Local&More OTTAWA COUNTY

Spring Lake police chief resigns; sergeant to ﬁll in as ‘acting chief’ By Heather Lynn Peters

hpeters@mlive.com

Motorists battle poor driving conditions along Shoreline Drive in Muskegon earlier this week. High winds and blowing snow were a dangerous mix Friday on area roads. (Ken Stevens/MLive.com)

Winter

CONTINUED FROM A1

adding that it appears his injuries could have been much worse given the circumstances. Both officers were expected to be released from the hospital later Friday. Early reports out of the sheriff’s office that a semi-trailer struck the deputy later were corrected. “It’s a dangerous job out there,” Stout said. Conditions were especially

hazardous in the eastern and northern ends of the county, where wind whipped snow from open farm fields across roadways. Muskegon County Road Commission Manager Kenneth Hulka said White River and Montague townships posed the biggest problems. A snow plow driver temporarily blinded and disoriented in white-out conditions became stuck in the snow along Whitbeck Road on Friday, Hulka said. Two other plow trucks that tried to help pull the first one out also got stuck in the snow, so a grader was sent up to remove snow. Eventually, a large tow truck was able to pull the stuck plows out, Hulka said. “It is drifting so fast and so bad,” Hulka said. One report placed drifts at 8 feet tall, which Hulka said he believed could be true. Complicating the matter were stuck cars that were abandoned by drivers after tow truck companies refused to risk treacherous condi-

Trial

CONTINUED FROM A1

late Friday were two married friends of Eric Knysz, who said he told them he had just shot a police officer when he stopped by their house the evening of Sept. 9. Mark and Deborah Harris, of Wellston, both said he told them that. Both said he didn’t seem “himself,” Mark Harris calling him “real hyper.” Mark Harris said the exact words were, “I shot a police officer.” Deborah Harris said “He said that he killed a f—ing cop.” Both testified Sarah Knysz, Eric’s wife, was there with him but said nothing about a shooting. Both said Eric stopped by briefly to try to buy marijuana — Mark Harris said he, Harris, has a medical marijuana card — that they didn’t sell him, then left. Both said they didn’t believe Knysz and didn’t call 911 or try to find out if it was true right away, nor did they call 911 after hearing about a trooper being shot. INVESTIGATION TESTIMONY

Most of Friday was taken up with crime-scene investigation testimony. Detective Sgt. Jason Sinke, of the state police, described collecting and processing evidence from the various crime scenes. Like an earlier fingerprint expert, he identified a print taken from the Colt Python .357 magnum pistol picked up at the scene of Eric Knysz’s arrest as belonging to Eric. Earlier, state police DNA expert Kate Herrema testified that Butterfield’s DNA matched blood smears found on the outside of a red pickup truck and on a crumpled paper napkin in a burn barrel. Both samples were collected near the home of murder suspect Eric Kynsz’s mother, Tammi Lynne Spofford, who was driving the truck when police stopped it after

tions to pull them out. County trucks quit plowing White River and Montague townships Friday afternoon, and Hulka said they would return when conditions improved. Freezing temperatures that followed the week’s warm-up left unpaved roads in particularly bad shape, and Whitehall and Montague — and for the most part, Holton — school districts ran buses on paved roads only Friday. Still, Montague ended up dismissing school early because of the bad conditions. White-outs on freeways caused crashes that shut down portions of I-96 and U.S. 31. A jack-knifed semitrailer spilling fuel caused a shutdown of U.S. 31 near Fruitvale Road for a time, while multiple accidents prompted the closure of I-96 at Coopersville and Nunica. Wind gusts were estimated at up to 55 mph along the lakeshore and 45 mph inland. Winds will ease up a little Saturday, though the day is still expected to be breezy.

Butterfield was shot in the head. TECHNICAL WITNESSES

Herrema was one of several technical witnesses Friday morning and early afternoon at the murder trial of Knysz, 20, of Irons. State Police Lt. Jeff Crump, an expert in firearms analysis, testified that a cartridge casing found at the scene of Butterfield’s shooting was a ballistics match for the Colt Python .357 magnum pistol Knysz allegedly dropped after a trooper shot him in the knee outside a Wellston gas station. State Police Detective Sgt. Russell Karsten described collecting forensic evidence at the various crime scenes, including the apparent blood swabs from the truck and the napkin. According to pretrial testimony by Sarah Knysz, Eric Knysz allegedly used paper napkins to wipe blood and brain matter off the truck. State Police Detective Sgt. Sally Wolter described attending Butterfield’s autopsy Sept. 10 at Blodgett Hospital in Grand Rapids and seeing a single gunshot wound to the right side of his head. She collected evidence from his body and sent it to the crime lab, she said. CHARGES SUMMARY

Knysz is accused of fatally shooting Butterfield in the head after the trooper pulled over Knysz and his wife in a traffic stop around 6:20 p.m. Sept. 9 on Custer Road north of Townline Road in rural Mason County’s Freesoil Township. Eric Knysz is charged with murder of a peace officer, which carries a sentence of life in prison without possibility of parole; felony firearm, a consecutive twoyear felony; and carrying a concealed weapon 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.

The Spring Lake police chief has resigned, according to the city manager, but not much is being said about the reasons behind the veteran officer’s reasons for leaving. According to a news release, Spring Lake/ Ferrysburg Chief of Police Roger DeYoung resigned effective DeYoung Feb. 17. He has been the chief since 2003. Sgt. Joe Steinhauer will replace DeYoung as the department’s acting chief, Village of Spring Lake Manager Christine Burns said. Burns said DeYoung isn’t leaving over any wrongdoing.

“There are no charges pending and he has not been accused of anything criminal,” she said in an email. “Our goal has always been, and will continue to be, maintaining the high level of service that we have experienced with our police protection in both Spring Lake and Ferrysburg,” she said in a news release. Burns praised the work DeYoung accomplished at the department during his tenure. “Under Chief DeYoung’s leadership, the department has been very progressive and proactive, and has made great strides in maintaining the village and city as safe places to live, work, and visit,” she said in the news release. Additional information about his resignation was not immediately released. “Due to a confidentiality clause in the separation agreement, there isn’t much

more I can say,” Burns said in an email. DeYoung last made headlines when he was suspended in 2009 without pay for two weeks and placed on a year’s probation following a traffic incident that resulted in him admitting he had been drinking before driving a village vehicle. That suspension stemmed from a Dec. 13, 2008 incident in which the chief’s unmarked Ford Taurus got stuck in the snow about 12:30 a.m. after pulling over on eastbound Leonard Road near 152nd Avenue. The accident was reported later that day, and Ottawa County sheriff’s officials went to the chief’s home to investigate. The issue for the village was that DeYoung admitted to drinking alcohol before driving the village-owned vehicle. No charges were filed against him.

LANSING

Proposal: Exempt unemployment beneﬁts from state income tax State has a projected three-year budget surplus of $971 million By Melissa Anders

manders@mlive.com

Two Democratic lawmakers want to exempt unemployment benefits from the Michigan income tax. It’s the latest in a slew of tax relief proposals, but one that’s unlikely to pass in the Republican-controlled Legislature. Rep. Brandon Dillon, of Grand Rapids, and Sen. Jim Ananich, of Flint, introduced bills this week in the House and Senate. Lawmakers are considering other bills to bring tax relief to Michiganders in light of a projected three-year budget surplus of $971 million. TARGETING UNEMPLOYED

While other proposals are broader, the Dillon and Ananich bills target the unemployed. About 122,000 people were collecting jobless benefits as of last week, according to Lynda Robinson, spokeswoman for the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency. Someone who receives the average weekly benefit of $298 for 20 weeks would save about $253 by not paying the 4.25 percent state income tax. Multiplied by the total number of recipients, that amounts to $30.9 million in tax relief. Six other states exempt unemployment benefits from income tax, and two other states partially exempt them, according to the lawmakers. Dillon introduced the same bill in 2011 but it never got a committee hearing. It doesn’t look like it will this time around either. House Tax Policy Committee Chair Rep. Jeff Farrington, R-Utica, said he’s not interested in running the bill. “On the face of it, we’re looking for something more broad-based as far as the House of Representatives,” he said. Ananich and Dillon contend that the unemployed already are struggling. “With the carelessness of Congress allowing extended unemployment benefits to lapse just before the holidays last year, it is critically

important that we in the state Legislature do everything in our power to help the jobless get back to work and not dig themselves deeper in debt while doing so,” Dillon said in a statement. FEDERAL PROGRAM ENDS

The federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation program ended Dec. 28, 2013. The program at one point offered 34 additional weeks of benefits to Michiganders who exhausted their 20 weeks of regular state benefits. Michigan coverage once lasted nearly twice as long, with up to 99 weeks of combined federal and state benefits. Ananich and Dillon also support bills introduced in the state House and Senate that would allow jobless Michiganders to claim up to 26 weeks of unemployment benefits, up from the cur-

rent limit of 20 weeks. There are three proposals on the House or Senate floors to bring some sort of tax relief. OTHER PROPOSALS

The one on the House floor would roll back the state’s personal income tax rate the next two years and trigger additional cuts in the case of future budget surpluses. One proposal on the Senate floor would allow more Michiganders to qualify for the Homestead Property Tax Credit, while another bill would gradually roll back the personal income tax rate from 4.25 percent to 3.9 percent by 2017. Gov. Rick Snyder also proposed increasing eligibility for the homestead credit, though it wouldn’t impact as many people as the House proposal.

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Mega Ball: 15

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