DEDHAM, Massachusetts – The jury in the trial of Emanuel Lopes, a Massachusetts man accused of murdering a Weymouth police officer and an innocent bystander, will continue deliberations on Wednesday after informing the judge of a deadlock on Monday. Lopes, 26, is facing charges for shooting and killing Weymouth police Sgt. Michael Chesna and Weymouth resident Vera Adams in July 2018. This is Lopes’ second trial after a mistrial was declared last year due to an unresolved verdict.
The jury began deliberating on Thursday after receiving instructions from Judge Beverly Cannone at Dedham Superior Court. On Monday, they sent a note to the judge, indicating that they were unable to reach a unanimous verdict. The judge advised them to continue working towards a consensus, but later in the afternoon, the jury was dismissed without a resolution. Deliberations will resume on Wednesday morning due to a storm that occurred on Tuesday.
During both trials, the defense did not dispute whether Lopes fatally shot Chesna and Adams, but argued that Lopes was mentally unable to comprehend his actions. Defense attorney Christie Feeney described Lopes as a mentally ill individual who was in a psychotic state during the incident. The prosecution, however, contends that Lopes knew exactly what he was doing.
According to authorities, police officers were searching for Lopes, who had fled the scene of a single-car crash. He allegedly took Chesna’s gun and shot the officer after Chesna drew his firearm and ordered Lopes to stop. Lopes attacked Chesna with a large stone, causing him to fall down, and then proceeded to shoot him several times in the head and chest. One of the bullets fired by Lopes also struck and killed Adams, who was in her home at the time.
In the previous trial, the jury failed to reach a unanimous decision after one juror agreed with the defense’s argument that Lopes was having a psychotic episode and was not legally responsible for the murders.
The upcoming deliberations will determine whether Lopes will be found guilty or not guilty of the charges he faces.