Conviction Announced In 2020 Manchester Court Vehicular Assault Case

MANCHESTER, CT — A Massachusetts man has been found responsible for injuring two judicial marshals with a vehicle at Manchester Superior Court in 2020 while trying to avoid a warrant service.

New Britain Judicial District State's Attorney Christian M. Watson, Tuesday announced that Jose Lopez, 46, of Springfield, MA, has been convicted of first-degree assault, two counts of assault on a public safety officer and evading responsibility (resulting in serious physical injury).

The guilty verdicts were returned by a jury on Feb. 9, he said.

According to case records, Lopez, while fleeing from an arrest warrant service at Manchester Superior Court, struck two State of Connecticut Judicial Marshals with a motor vehicle on March 2, 2020, and escaped to Massachusetts. One Marshal suffered severe permanent injuries, according to case records.

The trial in New Britain, was presided over by the Honorable Chris Pelosi. Sentencing is scheduled for April 17.

"Former Marshals Michael West and Martin Brown exemplify the highest ideals of law enforcement, putting themselves in a hazardous situation in an attempt to protect the public from a dangerous individual. We honor their courage and recognize the tremendous toll, and lifelong consequences, that the defendant's actions have had upon them, their families and friends," said Senior Assistant State's Attorney David Clifton and Deputy Assistant State's Attorney Lakshmi Swami, who prosecuted the case.

Added Watson, "We wish to extend our gratitude to the Connecticut State Police Department Major Crimes and CARS units for their investigative efforts, the members of Hartford Hospital for their talented medical intervention, and all judicial marshals who serve the community providing a safe environment for the functioning of our criminal justice system."