Community Corner
Phillip Chism Trial to Resume Tomorrow
It will be a hearing to determine whether the Danvers teen accused of raping and murdering his teacher is competent to stand trial
The murder trial for Phillip Chism will resume tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. at Salem Superior Court.
The hearing will determine whether he will be competent to stand trial.
Chism, who was a 14-year-old student at Danvers High School in 2013, is accused of raping and then killing 24-year-old Colleen Ritzer of Andover, a popular math teacher at the school, on Oct. 22, 2013. Chism allegedly slit her throat with a box cutter.
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Jury selection was taking place three weeks ago, but then it was delayed after Chism’s lawyer expressed concerns to the judge about his competancy to stand trial.
A court-appointed psychologist was then asked to examine Chism, but later reported to the judge that he was unresponsive during her two attempts to evaluate him. The psychologist said she saw the 16-year-old banging his head on the floor.
Find out what's happening in Danversfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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