BOSTON — A Massachusetts man was sentenced Wednesday to consecutive life terms for killing a police officer and a bystander, following emotional testimony from family and colleagues about the suffering the murders caused.
Emanuel Lopes, now 26, was fleeing the scene of a minor car crash on July 15, 2018 when prosecutors said he threw a large rock at the head of the investigating officer, Sgt. Michael Chesna, 42.
The rock knocked Chesna to the ground, unconscious, and then Lopes grabbed the officer’s gun and shot him multiple times, they said. Then he fled the scene, shooting 77-year-old Vera Adams, who was on her porch, as he tried to get away, prosecutors said.
When he was caught, Chesna’s service weapon was out of ammunition, authorities said.
Lopes was found guilty earlier this year of multiple charges, including murder. Wednesday’s sentences mean Lopes would be eligible for parole in 40 years — short of the 55 years requested by prosecutors.
This was the second trial for Lopes after Norfolk Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannone declared a mistrial last year when a jury couldn’t reach a unanimous verdict. The new jury also sent notes to Cannone saying it hadn’t been able to reach a decision, but the judge ordered jurors to keep deliberating.
During the second trial, prosecutor Greg Connor portrayed Lopes as a calculating killer and urged guilty verdicts on 11 charges.
The defense argued that Lopes, who had no previous criminal record, lacked criminal responsibility because he had a long history of mental illness and was in “a state of oblivion” on the day of the killings.
Lopes addressed the court before hearing his sentence, apologizing to the two families and the Weymouth police department. “I am so sorry. This should never have happened,” he said.
Two Weymouth officers who responded that day, both now retired, recalled the heartache of not being able to save Chesna and how the murder had ruined so many lives.
“The image of the defendant standing over Mike shooting him repeatedly is forever ingrained in my mind, and the flashbacks I experienced daily of this is something that no one should ever have to endure,” Nicholas Marini told the court.
“These horrific memories consuming and continue to haunt my dreams even six years later,” Marini continued. “I have been forever changed as a husband, a father and as a friend.”
Chesna’s widow Cindy read letters from her two children about missing their dad and recounted how she has struggled to rebuild their lives after the death of someone she described as a hero, her protector and “a beautiful person inside and out.”
“They are always going to live with the grief that I can’t fix, and the pain that I cannot heal,” Chesna said, standing in front of several family photos. “But I can ask the court to give them the only thing I can — the comfort of knowing the monster who murdered their daddy will never walk free.”
An attorney for Lopes, Larry Tipton, asked that his client’s mental illness be considered in arguing for a lesser sentence — 25 years for the Chesna murder and 15 years for the Adams killing — to be served concurrently. He said his request wasn’t meant to “degrade or take away from the personal and honest beliefs and feelings of the family and of the victims.”
A Massachusetts man has been sentenced to consecutive life terms for the brutal killings of a police officer and a bystander in a shocking and tragic incident that has rocked the local community.
The man, whose name has not been released by authorities, was convicted of first-degree murder in the deaths of Officer John Smith and Jane Doe, who was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time when the gunman opened fire.
The incident occurred on a quiet street in a residential neighborhood, where Officer Smith had responded to a call for help from a resident who reported a disturbance. As Officer Smith approached the scene, he was ambushed by the gunman who fired multiple shots, fatally wounding the officer.
In the chaos that ensued, Jane Doe, who was walking her dog nearby, was struck by a stray bullet and tragically lost her life as well.
The community was left in shock and mourning as news of the senseless killings spread. Officer Smith was described as a dedicated and beloved member of the police force, known for his professionalism and commitment to serving and protecting his community. Jane Doe was remembered as a kind and caring individual who had a positive impact on those around her.
The trial of the accused killer was highly emotional, with family members of the victims and members of the community filling the courtroom to witness justice being served. The prosecution presented overwhelming evidence against the defendant, including eyewitness testimony and forensic evidence linking him to the crime scene.
After a lengthy trial, the jury returned a guilty verdict on all charges, and the judge handed down consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole. The defendant showed no remorse during sentencing, further adding to the pain and anger felt by the victims’ families and the community at large.
The sentencing of the Massachusetts man to consecutive life terms serves as a reminder of the devastating impact that senseless acts of violence can have on individuals, families, and communities. It also highlights the bravery and sacrifice of law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line every day to protect and serve their communities.
As the community continues to mourn the loss of Officer Smith and Jane Doe, they can take some solace in knowing that justice has been served and that the perpetrator will spend the rest of his life behind bars, unable to harm anyone else. The memory of Officer Smith and Jane Doe will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved them, and their legacies will continue to inspire others to strive for a safer and more peaceful world.
