Closing Arguments Monday in Teen's Murder Trial

UPDATED: Closing arguments will now be heard on Monday, Dec. 14, according to the Essex District Attorney’s office. Notice of the scheduling change came late Thursday afternoon.

SALEM, MA - The trial of Philip Chism, the Danvers teen accused of raping and murdering Colleen Ritzer, is winding down.

The trial was initially expected to conclude the week of Dec. 21st. Jurors are now expected to hear closing arguments on Friday in Salem Superior Court.

Chism, is the Danvers teen and former Danvers High School student, accused of raping and murdering his math teacher, Colleen Ritzer of Andover, in 2013.

Lawyers for Chism, who was 14 years old at the time of his alleged crime, 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.

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Ritzer, who was 24 at the time, was a beloved teacher at the high school.