A defendant accused of killing a Melvindale police officer was removed from his own trial after a heated exchange with his attorney in a Wayne County courtroom, escalating tensions in a case tied to the fatal shooting of a 26-year-old officer.
DETROIT, MI – Michael Lopez, 45, now faces proceedings from a holding cell after a courtroom outburst on Friday prompted a judge to bar him from appearing in person. Lopez is charged with murder of a police officer, along with firearm and drug-related offenses, in connection with the death of Melvindale Police Cpl. Mohamed Said.
The disruption followed a warning issued a day earlier, when Lopez had also displayed combative behavior. Despite being told he would be removed if he interrupted proceedings again, Lopez reacted angrily when his attorney declined to object to a piece of video evidence…