Colleen Ritzer Murder: Teen Philip Chism Pleads "Not Guilty" to the rape & murder of the teacher

Chism is escorted into the court for his arraignment.

Salem, Mass.: The 14-year-old boy who is accused of murdering and raping his teacher, has pleaded "Not Guilty" at his arraignment (December 4). Philip Chism has been charged with murder, aggravated rape and armed robbery of his maths teacher, Colleen Ritzer.


The popular teacher was found dead in woods behind the Danvers High School, Mass. in October this year. Ritzer had been reported missing after she'd failed to return home from work on October 22.


Prosecutors allege that Chism, wearing a mask and gloves and armed with a box-cutter, attacked Ms Ritzer and dragged her into the bathroom at the high school. It is alleged that he then cut her throat and sexually assaulted her with a three-foot-long tree branch. Prosecutors say that Chism then left the teacher in the bathroom and later return with a large recycling bin, accessing the building through a service elevator. Security camera footage shows the bin being moved through the school toward the woods where Ms Ritzer was eventually found. An indictment says she was found naked from the waist down, posed in a sexual manner, with the branch still inside her. A note was found beside her with "I hate you all," written on it.
It is alleged that Chism then stole Ms Ritzer's credit cards and underwear and went to see a movie. He was picked up by police later that night as he walked along a highway to a neighbouring town. Chism had also been reported missing by his mother. When he was found he had Ms Ritzer's underwear and credit cards, along with the box-cutter, in his back pack.

Colleen Ritzer

Chism is being charged as an adult for the murder charge, and as a juvenile offender for the charges of rape and armed robbery.
He has been evaluated by a psychologist and been declared competent to stand trial. However, his lawyers said they may raise the issue of Chism's mental health should it be relevant to the course of his defense.

Prosecutors have yet to reveal a motive for the attack, with speculation that it may have come after a discussion Ms Ritzer had with Chism about his home state Tennessee. According to report, Ms Ritzer had stayed behind at school that day to help Chism. He was said to have become "distressed" when the topic of his old home came up. After Ms Ritzer changed the subject, Chism was reportedly seen "talking quietly to himself."

Ms Ritzer's body being removed from the woods

The 14-year-old had recently moved to Massachusetts with his mother. According to court papers his parents have been going through a difficult divorce.
There is also some speculation that Chism was afraid of failing his maths class, as a failing grade would mean he would no longer qualify to play on the junior varsity soccer team, of which he was a prominent member.

Both Ms Ritzer's and Philip Chism's parents were in court Wednesday for the short hearing, but neither made any comment to the media. Philip Chism is due back in court in January. -E.R.

Sources:
 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2518338/Student-Philip-Chism-14-raped-murdered-teacher-Colleen-Ritzer-pleads-guilty.html  

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/04/philip-chism-pleads-not-guilty_n_4386449.html?utm_hp_ref=crime

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/21/philip-chism-indicted-in-_n_4319312.html


http://bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_coverage/herald_bulldog/2013/11/cops_teen_killer_left_i_hate_you_all_note_next_to

http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/12/04/year-old-pleads-not-guilty-murder-other-charges-slaying-popular-danvers-teacher/UwJTHRSie1YE26Q2uo5EgJ/story.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNtbgRR59lw