Man accused of killing brother set for trial
A Longmont man accused of murdering his brother in September 2018 pleaded not guilty and was set for trial in July, according to the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office.
Daniel Lopez, 34, is charged with first-degree murder and felony menacing in the death of his brother Thomas “TJ” Lopez outside of their Longmont home in September 2018. Lopez also is charged with aggravated animal cruelty.
Lopez is set for a motions hearing on May 23 and a jury trial beginning on July 22. He is currently in custody without bond.
The not-guilty plea comes after more than five years of competency issues.
According to Longmont police, the brothers were arguing over their dog, which was stabbed earlier in the day.
A neighbor told police he went to the Lopez home on Sept. 24, 2018, to talk with Thomas Lopez and noticed blood splattered on the porch. Daniel Lopez answered the door and said his brother was not there, according to an arrest affidavit.
While walking away, the witness told police he heard Thomas Lopez scream and turned to see Daniel Lopez chasing him out of their home with a large “combat knife.”
The witness told police Daniel Lopez stabbed his brother repeatedly while they ran and when they both fell, Daniel Lopez continued to stab his brother.
Two neighbors came out of their home and tried to stop him, and Daniel Lopez stood up and walked away from the scene after swinging the knife once at the witness who called police. Daniel Lopez was arrested shortly after police arrived near the scene, according to the affidavit.