Local News

Jurors still failing to reach decision in trial of man who shot Weymouth cop and bystander

Emanuel Lopes allegedly killed Weymouth Police Sgt. Michael Chesna and bystander Vera Adams in 2018. A mistrial was declared last year.

Emanuel Lopes is escorted into the courtroom at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham on Feb. 9. Craig F. Walker/Boston Globe

By Ross Cristantiello

February 13, 2024

1 minute to read

Jurors are once again deadlocked in the trial of Emanuel Lopes, who is accused of killing Sgt. Michael Chesna of the Weymouth Police Department and bystander Vera Adams in 2018.

Lopes allegedly stole his girlfriend’s car on the morning of July 15, 2018 and crashed it in the area of South Shore Hospital in Weymouth. Chesna and other officers responded to the scene, and Lopes allegedly hit Chesna over the head with a rock and stole his gun. Lopes is accused of fatally shooting Chesna, fleeing again, and fatally shooting Adams while she was on her porch.

A mistrial was declared last summer following a three-week trial. In that trial attorneys for Lopes did not dispute that he killed Chesna and Adams. But they claimed his history of mental illness caused him to act irrationally and that Lopes should not be held criminally responsible.

A new trial started last month. Jurors deliberated Monday, but did not reach a verdict, Boston 25 News reported.

“We have continued deliberations and have exhausted a thorough review of evidence to support our varied viewpoints,” jurors wrote in a note to Judge Beverly Cannone, according to 25 News. “We are still arriving at a hung jury decision.”

State prosecutors suggested that deliberations were not “due and thorough.” Defense lawyers for Lopes said they will move for a mistrial, according to the news station.

Deliberations began last Thursday. The predicted snowstorm prompted the cancelation of deliberations Tuesday, and jurors are expected to return Wednesday.