Philip Chism Found Guilty of First Degree Murder

Chism Photo Credit: 7News/whdh.com, Essex District Attorney and Ritzer family:Adam Swift (Patch Staff)

SALEM, MA - Philip Chism is guilty of murder in the first degree, a jury ruled Tuesday afternoon in Salem Superior Court.

The Danvers teen raped and murdered Colleen Ritzer, 24, of Andover, his high school math teacher, in Oct. 2013. Ritzer was found in the woods near Danvers High School, raped and with her throat slashed.

“The only still image that matters in this case is the image of Colleen in the woods,” prosecutor Kate MacDougall said in her closing arguments, according to wcvb.com.

• • See also Ritzer Family and Community Members React to Jury’s Verdict

Chism was convicted of a raping Ritzer inside the bathroom but was acquitted of a second rape, committed with a tree branch in woods near the school where Chism put her body according to 7News/whdh.com. He was convicted of armed robbery for stealing Ritzer’s credit cards and her underwear.

Chism used Ritzer’s credit card to go to the movies after killing her.

Chism’s trial opened with his defense lawyer stating the teen killed Colleen Ritzer. The teen’s lawyers had tried to mount an insanity defense.

Prosecutors said Chism used a box cutter to brutally attack Ritzer. Jurors were shown chilling video of Chism following Ritzer into a bathroom in the high school.

“When Philip Chism followed Miss Ritzer into that bathroom, he was not himself. He was totally and absolutely responding to the terrible command of the hallucinations in his head,” attorney Denise Regan said during her clsoing arguments, wcvb.com reported.

During the trial, jurors visited the high school, including the bathroom and the woods behind the school.

Lawyers for Chism had sought a mental health evaluation for him in mid-October. The judge declared the now 16-year-old Chism competent after reading a report on his ability to understand the trial proceedings and assist his attorneys. In early December, the judge denied a request by the defense to use brain MRI tests from two years ago.

If Chism had been found not guilty by reason of insanity, he would have been sent to a psychiatric treatment facility, where he could have potentially been released in the future.

The jury deliberated for several hours on Monday after hearing closing arguments, and resumed deliberations on Tuesday morning, returning a unanimous verdict just before 4:30 p.m. Tuesday. Chism was not convicted of aggravated rape, and he was convicted of armed robbery. Chism faces the possibility of a life sentence with the possibility of parole in 15 to 25 years.

Ritzer’s family, who all wore pink - Colleen’s favorite color - wept as the verdict was read in the courtroom. Chism’s mother was in the courtroom.

(See below the photo for more.)

Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett addressed the media shortly after the verdict came in. Ritzer’s family and prosecutors were present.

“The Commonwealth presented it’s case, the jury did it’s job, and we’re pleased with the outcome,” Blodgett said. He thanked the jurors, law enforcement and the judge. “We felt a sense of relief for Colleen and her family.”

An offender between the ages of 14 and 17 who is charged with a felony offense that caused or threatened to cause serious bodily harm is charged as a youthful offender and is subject to state prison sentences, according to Massachusetts laws. Additionally, anyone over the age of 14 who is indicted for murder be tried as an adult.

The family will likely attend future parole hearings , depending on how the judge sentences Chism.

Tom Ritzer, Colleen’s father, said, “There remains a tremendous and painful absence in our lives, one that sadly, can never be replaced.”

CHISM MURDER TRIAL TIMELINE:

Wednesday, Oct. 6 - Jury selection started.

Thursday, Oct. 15 - Judge orders defendant to Worcester for competency evaluation.

Wednesday, Nov. 4 - Defendant returns to court and is found competent.

Thursday, Nov. 5 - Jury selection resumes.

Monday, Nov. 16 – Day 1 of Trial - Opening statements, testimony begin.

Monday, Nov. 30 – Day 7 of Trial - Prosecution rests.

Tuesday, Dec. 8 – Day 13 of Trial - Defense rests. Prosecution rebuttal begins.

Wednesday, Dec. 9 – Day 14 of Trial – Prosecution rests.

Monday, Dec. 14 – Closing arguments. Jury is charged and begins deliberations at 12:45 pm.

Tuesday, Dec. 15 - Judge David Lowy set a status hearing for Dec. 22 to discuss sentencing.