24-year-old teacher Colleen Ritzer had been raped twice and her throat had been slit.
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Tom Ritzer, Colleen’s father, said that while the verdict is the beginning of justice for his daughter, it is by no means cause for celebration.
On Tuesday, an Essex Superior Court jury found Chism, now 16, guilty of first-degree murder, armed robbery and one count of aggravated rape, related to the attack in the bathroom. That case will be heard Wednesday in Suffolk County Juvenile Court.
Prosecutors in that case say Chism had been in custody at a youth detention facility in Boston when he followed a female worker into a locker room. It’s not clear if Chism will attend.
Prosecutors said he used a recycling bin to move the woman to the woods outside the school, where the attack continued.
Thomas Ritzer says the verdict doesn’t bring “true justice”.
School Superintendent Lisa Dana said the school district appreciates all of the support teachers and students received from the District Attorney’s office throughout the trial, as well as the incredible outpouring of support from the community and beyond since the tragic death of Colleen Ritzer.
He showed no obvious emotion as the verdict was being read. With the aggravated rape conviction, he would be eligible for parole after 15 years. The 16-year-old was tried as an adult for the gruesome murder he was charged with at 14. Chism became upset and Ritzer changed the subject, the student said.
She claimed the teen was in the midst of a psychotic episode when he killed his teacher.
He was acquitted of a second rape charge that allegedly happened in the woods, after defence lawyers argued that the teacher was already dead.
Philip Chism, 14, is seen in surveillance video at Danvers High School in Danvers, Massachusetts, in 2013.
Jurors began deliberating Monday.
Ritzer was a popular teacher at Danvers High School, about 25 miles north of Boston, doing her dream job, teaching math, Assistant District Attorney Kate MacDougall told jurors in her opening statement.
Defense attorney Denise Regan said Chism’s crime only makes sense if he was mentally ill.
Separately the teen is facing charges of assault on a youth services worker. The jury resumed deliberations Tuesday morning.
They do not deny that he killed the teacher but insist he can not be held responsible for his actions. If you would like to discuss another topic, look for a relevant article.
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