Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Judge Removes Michael Lopez From Court in Trial Over Melvindale Officer’s Killing

The move underscores the judge's effort to keep jurors focused on forensic and witness testimony.

Overview

  • Lopez, who renewed his complaints about his lawyer during Friday’s session, was removed from the courtroom and ordered to watch the trial from a cell after a fresh outburst over an evidence objection.
  • Earlier Friday, the judge denied Lopez’s bid to replace his attorney, a day after he told jurors he was firing the lawyer and claimed he was not being defended.
  • Court experts testified that Officer Mohamed Said died from a gunshot to the head and that his service pistol was still fully loaded with 16 rounds when examined.
  • Video and witness accounts described a foot chase at a Melvindale car wash, a Taser deployment, and a brief struggle that ended with a single fatal shot.
  • Investigators said they tied Lopez to the case by linking him to an AutoZone robbery a day earlier and finding stolen items at the car wash, and he now faces a murder-of-a-peace-officer charge and multiple weapons and drug counts that could bring a life sentence.