Jury trial begins for ex-officer in Lopez manslaughter case

A Guilford County jury trial was scheduled to begin the week of Jan. 12 for former Greensboro police officer Matthew Hamilton, who faces a manslaughter charge in the November 19, 2021, death of Joseph Lopez. The case centers on events at a Cloverdale Drive residence that remain a flashpoint for questions about use of force, K-9 deployment and accountability in local policing.

According to charging documents and investigative findings, officers responded to a call at the Cloverdale Drive home and later located Lopez inside a shed on the property. Hamilton followed a K-9 into the shed and shot Lopez, later saying he believed he saw something in Lopez’s hand. The State Bureau of Investigation led a probe that culminated in Hamilton’s firing and a grand jury indictment in June 2022.

The release of body-camera footage in the months after the shooting prompted strong public reaction in Greensboro and wider Guilford County. That reaction sharpened scrutiny of department procedures and sparked calls for clearer protocols on canine entries, officer entry tactics and the thresholds for lethal force in confined spaces. Local civic groups and residents have repeatedly cited the case as emblematic of broader concerns about transparency and officer conduct.

Legally, the trial will test how jurors parse split-second decisions in a cluttered, high-pressure environment inside a shed. Prosecutors must prove manslaughter beyond a reasonable doubt, while defense strategy is likely to emphasize perceived threat and split-second judgment. The State Bureau of Investigation’s involvement and the subsequent firing of Hamilton are notable institutional steps that shaped the case before it reached a jury.

For Guilford County residents the trial has practical implications. Outcomes may influence Greensboro Police Department training priorities, local oversight mechanisms and the political conversations that inform municipal elections and law enforcement policy decisions. Voters and community groups often cite high-profile cases like this when assessing candidates and pushing for reforms at the city and county level.

The proceedings also underscore civic engagement needs: public confidence in criminal justice outcomes depends on clear communication from officials, accessible court information and sustained community participation in oversight. Residents tracking the case should expect attorneys to call expert witnesses on use of force and canine operations, and should pay attention to how local leaders respond in policy meetings following the verdict.

The takeaway? Stay informed, follow court calendars and show up for policy discussions. If this case matters to you, make your voice heard at town halls and the ballot box—those are the levers that shape policing where you live.