Trial to begin for Emanuel Lopes, accused of killing Weymouth police officer, bystander
The man accused of grabbing Weymouth Police Officer Michael Chesna’s gun and fatally shooting the officer and killing a bystander in 2018 is set to stand trial starting Thursday.
Emanuel Lopes faces two counts of murder, possession of a firearm without a license, destruction of property, and negligent driving of a motor vehicle, according to officials.
Norfolk County District Attorney Assistant District Attorney Greg Connor said police responded to a call for an erratic driver in the area of the South Shore Hospital at 7:32 a.m. on July 15, 2018.
There was a single-car crash and the driver ran from the scene.
The driver, identified as Lopes, was then spotted vandalizing a home on Burton Terrace. Chesna, one of the officers searching for the suspect, saw Lopes.
Chesna got out of his cruiser, drew his firearm and demanded Lopes to stop, Connor said.
“Lopes then attacked Officer Chesna, it is believed with a large stone, striking him in the head,” the prosecutor said. “Officer Chesna fell to the ground. Lopes then retrieved Officer Chesna’s firearm and discharged it several times in his head and chest.”
Officers on scene returned fire. Lopes was struck in the leg.
Lopes ran through the neighborhoods around Burton Terrace. He still had the officer’s gun and fired three more times, authorities said.
A woman inside her home was fatally struck by a bullet Lopes fired. Lopes was then caught.
Attorney Larry Tipton claimed that the day before officials say Lopes shot Chesna and Adams, Lopes’ mother sought to involuntarily hospitalize[3] him at South Shore Hospital. Tipton told the judge that South Shore Hospital decided against it.
“He was talking nonsense,” Tipton said at Lopes’ arraignment in Norfolk Superior Court. “He was videotaping himself talking nonsense.”
The defense attorney also said Lopes told friends “Martians had landed” and that he’d seen Jesus Christ.
The judge cited the seriousness of the charges and ordered Lopes be held without bail.
This was not his first encounter with Weymouth police. He was arrested on charges of selling cocaine to minors in October.
“We have fought with him before,” Weymouth police wrote in their report of taking Lopes into custody.
References
- ^ Emanuel Lopes stood over Weymouth Police Officer Michael Chesna’s body and shot him, neighbors said (www.masslive.com)
- ^ Cindy Chesna, wife of slain Weymouth Police Sgt. Michael Chesna, yells obscenities at alleged shooter Emanuel Lopes (www.masslive.com)
- ^ hospitalize (www.masslive.com)
- ^ Who is Emanuel Lopes? Social media offers glimpse into life of man accused of killing Weymouth Police Officer (www.masslive.com)
- ^ A history of violence: Accused Mass. cop and child killers had long records, so why were they out? (www.masslive.com)