Philip Chism Trial May Wrap Up Sooner Than Expected

Philip Chism’s murder trial continued on Thursday, but the jury and the defendant were not in the courtroom, according to 7News/whdh.com.

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.

Defense Lawyer: Philip Chism Killed Colleen Ritzer

The jury in the Philip Chism murder trial visited Danvers High School on Wednesday, and a few other key locations.

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.

The trial was initially expected to conclude the week of Dec. 21st, though it appears at this point, that the defense could rest on Friday or early next week.