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Trooper Murder Trial: Officers Testify About Knysz’s Arrest

Posted at 5:42 PM, Feb 20, 2014
and last updated 2014-02-20 21:46:20-05

LUDINGTON, Mich. (Feb. 20, 2014) — The state police trooper who shot the suspect charged with another trooper’s murder was one of several investigators to testify Thursday.

Trooper Steve Arendt said he shot Knysz in the leg when he tried to flee the Dublin Store gas station in Manistee County several hours after the allegedly shooting Trooper Paul Butterfield during a Mason County traffic stop.

Arendt said he fired three shots total.

Knysz, 20, also put up a struggle when officers were taking him into custody, according to testimony from Trooper Jeff Crofoot.

The gun found on Knysz following his arrest was also introduced as evidence Thursday.  He faces first-degree murder charges in the Sept. 9, 2013 shooting.

Butterfield’s cruiser did not have a dash cam video installed in it.  Only eight of the 22 cruisers at the MSP Hart Post have cameras.