Ex-Officer’s Son Guilty in Killing

A jury rejected a murder charge Thursday, instead finding the son of a retired police sergeant guilty of voluntary manslaughter in the hatchet slaying of his grandfather.

After almost 1 1/2 days of deliberations, the jury convicted Michael Lopez of Lemon Grove of the charge his attorney had suggested.

Lopez admitted killing his maternal grandfather, Bruce Corey, 63, who was struck 30 times with a hatchet in the face and neck. Corey was found by his wife, Ruth, on Jan. 4 in their Lemon Grove garage.

Lopez’s father is Manny Lopez, a former San Diego Police detective who is a leading character in Joseph Wambaugh’s book, “Lines and Shadows.” Manny Lopez is now a private security consultant.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Robert Madruga said the maximum sentence for the offense is 12 years in state prison.

San Diego Superior Court Judge David Gill set sentencing for Sept. 20. Lopez remains in County Jail, where he has been since his Jan. 5 arrest.

Lopez’s attorney, Victor Eriksen, had urged a verdict of voluntary manslaughter, telling jurors that the slaying occurred while his client was drunk and had believed his arrest was imminent because he had taken some jewelry belonging to his maternal grandmother.

Eriksen said immediately after the verdict: “I’ve just had one heck of a courageous jury.”

Manny Lopez thanked the prosecutor for being fair and told reporters “this is the worst thing I’ve ever gone through.”

“Obviously Michael has to pay for what he’s done,” said Manny Lopez. “I hope it’s a sentence that takes everything into account . . . the love he had for his grandfather.