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WEYMOUTH, Mass. – A judge on Monday declared a mistrial in the case of a man accused of murdering Weymouth Police Sergeant Michael Chesna and innocent bystander Vera Adams in July 2019.<\/p>\n
BREAKING: The judge has just declared the trial null and void in the Emanuel Lopes case.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Robert Goulston (@rgoulston) July 10, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n Testimony in that case ended in late June and then went to the jury last week, but there was no verdict before the July 4 holiday weekend.<\/p>\n One of the jurors had a personal commitment, so they were excused and an alternate was chosen last week.<\/p>\n “When that happens, you have to start your deliberations,” the judge told the jury in court.<\/p>\n Deliberations lasted five days, but since the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict, a judge ruled that there should be a new trial with a new jury.<\/p>\n Lopes is accused of using a rock to disarm Chesna and then killing the officer with his own weapon. Adams was also shot and killed while sitting nearby on his front porch.<\/p>\n During the trial, Lopes’ attorneys do not dispute that their client fatally shot Chesna and Adams, but say he has a long history of mental illness, including auditory hallucinations and incidents of self-harm. <\/p>\n He questioned whether Lopes should be held criminally responsible for mental health issues.<\/p>\n A new trial date has been set for July 21.<\/p>\n Family of @WeymouthPD<\/a> Sergeant Michael Chesna could be heard in court reacting as the judge announced the verdict. It looks like the prosecutor will retry the case. A new start date has been set for 7\/21.<\/p>\n \u2014 Robert Goulston (@rgoulston) July 10, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.<\/p>\n Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.<\/p>\n Follow Boston 25 News at Facebook<\/a> i Twitter<\/a>. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW<\/p>\n \u00a92023 Cox Media Group<\/p>\n