In emotional outburst, Sgt. Chesna's widow lashes out at husband's accused killer

DEDHAM, Mass. - A 20-year-old man has been held without bail after a volatile court hearing in the shooting deaths of two people this summer.

A Norfolk County grand jury issued 11 indictments against Emanuel Lopes stemming from the July 15, 2018, shooting of an on-duty Weymouth Police officer Michael Chesna and an uninvolved bystander, Vera Adams.

Prosecutors say Lopes stole his girlfriend’s car and led police on a high-speed chase in the early morning hours of July 15.

He collided with another car near South Shore hospital and apologized to the other drive before running away from the wreck, the prosecutors said.

A resident of Burton Terrace reported a rock came through his window, the prosecutors said. The man also reported seeing the Lopes outside his window holding another rock over his head.

Lopes walked briskly away from Chesna and threw the rock at him. The witness said Chesna was unconscious when Lopes allegedly picked up the gun and shot him 8 times as he stood over him; five times at his head and three times at his torso.

According to the prosecutor, 13 shell casings were found near Chesna’s body.

Lopes was shot before he was able to run away from Sgt. Chesna.

Police officers reported they eventually saw Lopes emerge from behind a shed in the neighborhood with the slide of Sgt. Chesna’s gun racked all the way back, indicating all 16 shots had been fired.

Officers said they found three bullet holes in the sliding glass doors of Vera Adams’ home, where she was found shot twice.

Lopes defense attorney asked for bail to be issued with the condition that Lopes would be held in a mental health facility – citing Lopes history of mental health issues.

His mother sought to involuntarily commit Lopes shortly before the shooting happened, but was denied by South Shore Hospital. According to his defense attorney, Lopes had told family and friends that Martians had landed and his family was in danger.

His defense attorney countered claims that Lopes was trying to break into the home where he was seen with a rock. He said Lopes had been ranting incoherently and asked that he held in a secure facility.

Prosecutors attributed some of Lopes behavior to being shot and said his history of mental health issues was in the past.

A judge said a 15-day hold for a mental health and competency to stand trial evaluation may be held, but has been held without bail.

"You're a piece of s---, you f------ mother f-----," Sgt. Chesna's widow, Cindy, shouted at Lopes as he left the courtroom.

MORE: Court hearing for man accused in Weymouth killings continued to Sept. 19

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