A MA teen was sentenced Friday to at least 40 years in prison for the 2013 rape and killing of his high school teacher whose body was found discarded in a recycling bin in the woods.
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Philip Chism was 14 when he raped and killed teacher Colleen Ritzer.
“We are devastated and feel betrayed with Judge Lowy’s inability to give three consecutive life sentences without the eligibility of parole to the individual that took Colleen’s life in such horrific manner”, she told reporters after the hearing.
“One can not see and hear what this court has during the course of this case without feeling that the crashing waves of this tragedy will never wane”, Lowy said as he handed down the sentence.
Chism’s lawyers had asked the judge to make him eligible for parole when he turned 40.
Friends and family of Colleen Ritzer have created a scholarship for students who plan to pursue a career in education.
In 2012, the high court ruled that mandatory sentences of life without parole for juvenile homicide offenders violate the Constitution. Friday, Chism was sentenced to life in prison for the murder, with the possibility of parole in 25 years. She cited scientific studies that said a juvenile brain is not fully developed.
Peggie Ritzer and her husband, Tom Ritzer, say Chism should never have a chance to get out of prison.
Ritzer’s parents wiped away tears as they remembered their smiling, joyous eldest child and the pain of her loss.
Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett said because of the Supreme Judicial Court decision eliminating life without parole for juvenile offenders, the Ritzer family must now be prepared to testify at parole hearings beginning in 40 years and then every five years thereafter.
“She loved being a big sister, ” Peggie Ritzer said, adding that her son, Daniel, would often sleep on the floor of his big sister’s bedroom. “Evil can not be rehabilitated”, the family said.
Tom Ritzer said he felt as though he had failed his daughter.
Later, he said, “I didn’t protect Colleen. A dad’s job is to fix things”, he said.
The mother of a MA teenager who was 14 when he raped and killed his math teacher has cried quietly as a judge pronounced his sentence.
Diane Chism, the teen’s mother, released a heartbreaking statement Friday expressing her condolences to the Ritzer family.
She said her prayers were with the Ritzer family “as they continue their journey to heal”.
The defense admitted Chism killed Ritzer but said he was suffering from severe mental illness and wasn’t criminally responsible for his actions.
Chism followed Ritzer into a school bathroom, strangled her, stabbed her at least 16 times and raped her. He was convicted in December of 2013. He was also convicted of armed robbery for stealing Ritzer’s credit cards and her underwear. By screening submissions, we provide a space where readers can share intelligent and informed commentary that enhances the quality of our news and information. Don’t include URLs to Web sites. They are either approved or deleted.
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