Press Releases
02/20/2024
Massachusetts Man Convicted of 2020 Assault on State Judicial Marshals
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(New Britain, CT) - Christian M. Watson, New Britain Judicial District State’s Attorney, today announced that Jose Lopez, age, 46, of Springfield, Massachusetts, has been convicted of Assault in the First Degree in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-59(a)(1), two counts of Assault on Public Safety Personnel in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-167c(a)(1), and Evading Responsibility Resulting in Serious Physical Injury in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 14-224(b)(1).
The guilty verdicts were returned by a jury on February 9, 2024. Evidence at trial showed that Lopez, while fleeing from the service of an arrest warrant which was to be served at Manchester Superior Court, Geographical Area No. 12, struck two State of Connecticut Judicial Marshals with a motor vehicle on March 2, 2020, and fled to Massachusetts. One Marshal suffered severe permanent injuries. The trial, in the Superior Court of New Britain, was presided over by the Honorable Chris Pelosi. Sentencing is scheduled for April 17, 2024.
“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.
State’s Attorney Watson, Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Clifton and Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney Swami wish to extend their 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.