By Rob Alway and Lisa Enos, MCP

LUDINGTON — A jury has found Eric John Knysz guilty of murdering Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Butterfield on Sept. 9, 2013 in Free Soil Township. The 20-year-old Irons resident sat emotionless — as he has throughout his seven day trial — while the verdict was read.

The jury deliberated for just over 90 minutes.

In addition to finding him guilty of first degree murder of a peace officer, the jury also found him guilty of felony firearms possession, carrying a concealed weapon and unlawfully driving away a motor vehicle.

First degree murder of a peace officer is a felony punishable by life in prison without parole. He also faces two years in prison for the felony firearms charge, five years for carrying a concealed weapon and five years for unlawfully driving away a vehicle. Those sentences would run concurrent with the life sentence.

Knysz will be sentenced by Judge Richard Cooper on Tuesday, April 8 at 4 p.m.

Major sponsor of MCP’s trial coverage is FloraCraft of Ludington: www.floracraft.com. Additional sponsorship by:

Dollars & Sense Accounting of Ludington: 231-845-7292.

Shoreline Properties of Whitehall, www.shorelinepropertiesofwm.com; 231-894-1930.