Emanuel Lopes Sentenced in 2018 Murder Case

Emanuel Lopes, convicted of the 2018 murders of Weymouth Police Sgt. Michael Chesna and bystander Vera Adams, was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences, eligible for parole after 40 years. During the emotional sentencing, family members of the victims, including Chesna's widow, Cindy, and their children, delivered heart-wrenching victim impact statements, expressing their enduring grief and plea for justice. Lopes, who was 20 at the time of the murders and had faced a mistrial in his first trial, unexpectedly apologized to the families before the final sentencing. The murders occurred after Lopes fled a minor car crash and attacked Chesna with a rock and his own firearm, then proceeded to shoot Adams. The prosecution had argued for the maximum penalty, emphasizing the cold-blooded nature of the crimes. This case was overseen by Judge Beverly Cannone, who also presided over the high-profile Karen Read trial.