Man found guilty in the murder of Weymouth police officer and innocent bystander in 2nd trial
DEDHAM - A jury has found Emanuel Lopes guilty of murdering a Weymouth police officer and an innocent bystander, months after his first trial ended in a mistrial.
Sergeant Michael Chesna's family, including his widow Cindy, erupted in cheers when the jury declared Lopes guilty of first and second degree murder in the 2018 killings of Chesna and Weymouth resident Vera Adams. The jury was deadlocked for six days in deciding the verdict.
"Glad that this evil person is going to jail where he belongs," said Weymouth Police Chief Richard Fuller. "It's been weighing on us for six years and at least we can put this part behind us, finally."
Lopes fled the scene of a car crash in 2018 and Chesna found him throwing rocks at a home. When Chesna confronted him, Lopes threw a large rock at his head, knocking him to the ground. He then stole Chesna's service weapon and shot him several times before shooting Adams, who was standing at her home's window. Lopes' attorneys said he should be found not guilty by reason of insanity.
"We got the verdict finally, it was worth the wait," said Chesna's mother Mimi as she thanked the media outside court. "Happiest day of my life, except when I had Mike and Eric."
"It was like a weight just got lifted right off my shoulders," said Cindy Chesna. "I'm just so happy my kids don't have to have me taken away from them for another trial. And that they can have me home with them. I'm going to tell them that their father got the justice that they finally deserved."
Lopes will be sentenced on March 19.
