Accused Weymouth Cop Killer Indicted On 11 Charges

WEYMOUTH, MA – The man accused of killing a Weymouth police officer and bystander has been indicted on 11 charges. Emanuel Lopes, 20, allegedly shot Officer Michael Chesna and Vera Adams after fleeing the scene of a crash July 15.

A grand jury on Thursday handed down the following indictments:

• 2 counts of murder in the deaths of Weymouth Police Officer Michael Chesna and Vera Adams.
• 2 counts of armed assault with intent to murder involving a firearm (intended victims being responding officers other than Chesna.)
• Assault and battery dangerous weapon, to wit rock
• Larceny of a firearm
• Carrying a firearm without an FID card
• Use of a motor vehicle without authority
• Negligent operation of a motor vehicle
• Leaving the scene of a collision causing property damage
• Malicious destruction of property (to wit: throwing rock at window on Burton Terrace)

Lopes pleaded not guilty to murder and related charges at his arraignment in July.

Authorities say shortly after 7:30 a.m. on July 15, Lopes ran off after crashing a BMW registered to his girlfriend's mother on Rt. 18. Chesna, a six-year veteran of the Weymouth Police Department, found Lopes throwing a rock through a window of a Burton Terrace home.

According to court documents, Chesna got out of his cruiser and drew his gun. Lopes threw a large rock at Chesna, hitting him in the head and knocking the gun out of his hands, a neighbor told police. He then allegedly took Chesna's gun and fired 10 rounds at him.

Chesna was pronounced dead at the hospital.

A second officer arrived and shot Lopes in the foot, but he kept running toward Torrey Street, according to police. There, he allegedly shot the 77-year-old Adams as she stood near a window in her home. Lopes was arrested near the Torrey Street home after firing about 15 or 16 shots, according to police.

"Grand jury indictment is an important and necessary step, moving this case to the Norfolk Superior Court where it must be resolved," District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey said in a statement Thursday. "Our thoughts remain with the families and loved ones of Vera Adams and Sgt. Michael Chesna – and with the entire Weymouth community."

No Superior Court arraignment date has been set. A probable cause hearing scheduled for Sept. 19 will not move forward, according to the DA's office.

Photo by Dan Libon (Patch Staff)