Community Corner

Jury in Second Day of Deliberations in Philip Chism Murder Trial

The 16-year-old faces a number of charges, including first-degree murder, aggravated rape and robbery

Linda Bock, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
|

Photo Credit: 7News/whdh.com

UPDATED: Jury asked judge for clarification on one of the rape charges, according to reports..

SALEM. MA - The jury in the trial of Philip Chism, the Danvers teen accused of raping and murdering his math teacher at Danvers High School in 2013, is scheduled to continue their deliberations on Tuesday afternoon in Salem Superior Court.

Find out what's happening in Andoverfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The jury deliberated for several hours on Monday after hearing closing arguments, and resumed deliberations on Tuesday morning.

The victim, Colleen Ritzer, 24, of Andover, was a well-liked math teacher at Danvers High School.

Find out what's happening in Andoverfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Chism faced a number of charges:

  • Murder, 1st degree, indicted on Nov. 21, 2013.
  • Aggravated Rape, two counts: Unnatural rape, indicted as a youthful offender on Nov. 21, 2013, and natural rape, indicted as a youthful offender on Jan. 24, 2014.
  • Armed Robbery, indicted as a youthful offender on Nov. 21, 2013.

According to Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 119, Section 54, 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.

Massachusetts General Law Chapter 119, Section 74 requires that anyone over the age of 14 who is indicted for murder be tried as an adult.

Prosecutors said Chism, who was 14 at the time, used a box cutter to brutally stab his teacher, and then violated her.

Penalties:

Murder: According to authorities, as a juvenile, the defendant cannot receive a sentence of life without parole as a result of the US Supreme Court decision, Miller v. Alabama and the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court’s decision, Commonwealth v. Diatchenko. In this case, the defendant would be subject to a life sentence with the possibility of parole after 15 to 25 years.

Aggravated Rape and Armed Robbery: These are both felonies that carry a sentence UP TO life in prison. If a life sentence is imposed, the defendant would be parole eligible after 15 years.

The Judge can impose the sentences to run concurrently or consecutively, according to the Essex District Attorney’s office.

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.

Prosecutors said Chism, who was 14 at the time, used a box cutter to brutally stab his teacher, and then violated her.

“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.

Chism’s trial opened with his defense lawyer stating the teen killed Colleen Ritzer.

“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.comreported.

If Chism is found not guilty by reason of insanity, according to boston.cbslocal.com, he would be sent to a psychiatric treatment facility, where he could potentially be released in the future.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Andover