COLLEEN RITZER: This is worse than I expected.

Philip Chism, 14, stands during his arraignment for the death of Danvers High School teacher Colleen Ritzer...





http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/USA-Update ... ass.-video

Teen accused of murdering teacher allegedly said "I became the teacher"
By Crimesider Staff CBS/AP October 5, 2015, 1:58 PM



SALEM, Mass. -- A teenage student whose trial in the murder of his teacher begins this week allegedly said "I became the teacher" to investigators after the 2013 slaying at his Massachusetts high school.

However, prosecutors won't be allowed to tell the jury about the confession Philip Chism, then 14, allegedly gave to Danvers police. Judge David Lowy ruled that Chism did not fully understand his constitutional rights before he spoke to them.

In the videotaped interview after the attack, Chism told police that teacher Colleen Ritzer provoked the attack with a "trigger" word, which he would not disclose.

"After she insulted me, that's when I became the teacher," Chism said, according to a description Lowy gave in his written ruling.

Jury selection in the case is scheduled to begin Wednesday in Essex Superior Court in Salem.

...more at link
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/teen-accuse ... e-teacher/

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Insanity defense may be used in Philip Chism murder trial

By Laura Crimaldi | Boston Globe | October 7, 2015

SALEM — The judge in the murder trial of Philip D. Chism explained the insanity defense to prospective jurors Wednesday, a move that suggests the defense will contend the teenager was not criminally responsible when he allegedly raped and killed his teacher inside Danvers High School in 2013.

During the opening of jury selection in Essex Superior Court in Salem, Judge David A. Lowy told potential jurors that they may be asked questions about their views on criminal responsibility and insanity.
[...]
Attorney Randy Chapman, who is not associated with the Chism case, said potential jurors are probably being asked about insanity and criminal responsibility to determine whether they would consider such a defense.

“If a potential juror were to get on and say ‘I don’t believe anybody should ever be excused for reason of insanity,’ this person would not be able to sit on this jury because they can’t be fair and impartial and apply the law,” said Chapman, former president of the Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Lowy, defense lawyers, and prosecutors met with 115 potential jurors Wednesday and asked whether they knew any of the possible witnesses or if serving on the trial would cause a hardship. Lowy dismissed 56 of the prospective jurors.

More at link: https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/10/07/insanity-defense-may-used-philip-chism-murder-trial/6UrnZxlJ3mVSmHIKfpZJLN/story.html

Jury selection continues in Philip Chism murder trial

Boston Globe
By Laura Crimaldi | October 9, 2015

SALEM — The judge presiding over the murder trial of Philip D. Chism declined Friday to excuse five potential jurors who the defense feared could not be impartial because of comments from another member of the jury pool.

Essex Superior Court Judge David A. Lowy on Thursday dismissed Juror 16, who had reported hearing another potential juror say Chism had already been on trial, which is not accurate.

Defense attorney Denise Regan on Friday asked Lowy to dismiss an additional five jurors who may have heard the same comment, saying it was “erroneous and prejudicial information that has no place in the jury room.’’

But Lowy said it would not be prudent to excuse the other jurors, who were identified in court as Jurors 1, 5, 17, 19, and 20.

The comments Juror 16 reported to Lowy are separate from remarks that prompted the judge to reprimand Juror 39 on Thursday.

Source: https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/10/09/jury-selection-expected-continue-philip-chism-murder-trial/MFPL7j1cyzW6NtD0lrhN9K/story.html

Chism Jury Selection Halted Due to Competency Concerns

NECN.com | October 13, 2015, 10:30AM
By Elysia Rodriguez and Allison Sonfist

Jury selection in the trial of a Massachusetts teen accused of raping and killing his high-school teacher has been halted amid concerns about his mental competency.

[...]
Jury selection began last week in Essex Superior Court in Salem. A psychiatrist brought in to examine Chism in court Tuesday tried twice to speak with him, and both times he refused to acknowledge her.

Court officers reported Chism banged his head on the floor of a padded room where he was held. The psychiatrist will examine Chism again briefly on Wednesday, according to the judge's ruling.

Defense attorneys have said they plan to use a mental health defense but haven't revealed specifics.

[...]
If Chism continues to ignore the psychiatrist, he will likely be taken to a psychiatric facility for extended evaluation before the judge determines whether the trial can continue.

More at link: http://www.necn.com/news/new-england/Report-Chism-Jury-Selection-Halted-Due-to-Competency-Concerns--332397732.html

Teen charged with killing teacher will have mental health evaluation

By CrimesiderStaff, AP | CBS NEWS | October 16, 2015

SALEM, Mass. -- The trial of a Massachusetts teenager charged with killing his high school math teacher has been delayed after a judge ordered him to undergo a mental health evaluation.
[...]
Jury selection started this week and testimony was scheduled to start next Tuesday.

Over the past few days Chism has refused to enter the courtroom, banged his head against a floor and told a psychologist he hears voices and hopes someone will shoot him.

Prosecutors say he's faking to avoid trial.

The judge Thursday ordered an evaluation to determine if he's competent for trial, and that could take 20 days.

Source: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/teen-charged-with-killing-teacher-will-have-mental-health-evaluation/

Philip Chism Ruled Competent To Stand Trial In Danvers Teacher Murder
CBS Boston | November 4, 2015 10:49 AM

DANVERS (CBS/AP) — The Massachusetts teenager charged with killing his math teacher is competent to stand trial, a judge ruled Wednesday.

Sixteen-year-old Philip Chism is charged in the October 2013 rape and killing of 24-year-old Danvers High School teacher Colleen Ritzer.

His trial was delayed after a judge ordered him to undergo a mental health evaluation. Chism had refused to enter the courtroom, banged his head against a floor and told a psychologist he hears voices and hopes someone will shoot him.

Chism’s lawyers argued that the anniversary of Ritzer’s death served as proof that the trial should be moved. The judge, however, rejected the defense request to move the trial.
[...]
In court on Wednesday, the judge said he believes a jury can be seated and ready for opening arguments by Nov. 13 at the earliest or a more cautious estimate of Nov. 16.

More at link: http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/11/04/philip-chism-danvers-high-school-teacher-murder-trial-colleen-ritzer/

Potential jurors for Philip Chism face heat
By Laurel J. Sweet | Boston Herald | November 06, 2015



Impanelment in the murder trial of Philip Chism left off yesterday where it picked up in the morning after a three-week hiatus with 16 prospective jurors seated — and no guarantee any of them will survive the final cut.

Salem Superior Court Judge David A. Lowy wants between 16 and 18 jurors to hear the case, though only 12 will actually deliberate Chism’s fate.

The final 37 men and women from the original pool of jurors will come into Salem Superior Court today to be individually questioned by Lowy and the attorneys. Should that lot be exhausted, Lowy may have to start taking jurors from other Essex County courts, starting Monday.
[...]
Chism and his lawyers consented to release to the Department of Youth Services an excerpt of his confidential 67-page competency report regarding his diagnosis and recommendations for ongoing care.

Source: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/local_coverage/2015/11/potential_jurors_for_philip_chism_face_heat

Jury selected in Philip Chism murder trial
Opening statements expected Monday
By Laura Crimaldi | Boston Globe | November 13, 2015

Jury selection has been completed and opening statements are expected Monday in the trial of Philip D. Chism, the teenager accused of murdering his math teacher at Danvers High School, prosecutors said.

Seventeen jurors have been selected. The opening statements are expected at 9 a.m. at Essex Superior Court in Salem, the Essex County district attorney’s office said in a statement.

More at link: http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/11/13/jury-selection-concludes-opening-statements-expected-monday-philip-chism-case/cTQ0GD05eawQ2cvbJdsr1O/story.html

Philip Chism Trial Defense Opening Statement 11/16/15



Philip Chism Trial Day 1 Part 1 11/16/15



Philip Chism Trial Day 1 Part 2 11/16/15



Philip Chism Trial Day 1 Part 3 11/16/15


________________________________________________
Jurors excused for the day after hearing openings and 4 witnesses. Court resumes Tuesday at 9:00AM.

The state will open tomorrow's testimony with Peggie Ritzer of Andover, the mother of Colleen Ritzer.

Judge David Lowy tells jurors not to speculate on why Philip Chism is missing from the courtroom. "You will be one of very few people who will not know the reason. You cannot know the reason." Tells them they are being dismissed for day and wants the jury back tomorrow at 10:15am EST. Jurors exit; court remains in session.

Philip Chism will be seen by child psychiatrist Dr. Virginia Merritt, who conducted his competency evaluation in Worcester.

Court is in recess until no earlier than 2:00PM while waiting for Dr. Merritt to arrive.

h/t Nicole@LadyJustice2188

Philip Chism refuses to enter the courtroom, stating "He's had enough and about to explode and he doesn't want to hurt anybody".

THX Molly

What a lot of "Drama"

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

You're welcome, Rumpole. These delays Chism is causing are getting ridiculous.

Ethan Hartley @Ehartley_DH_BC
Chism trial will resume tomorrow at 8:30. We'll find out if the trial will continue or not due to new doubts about Chism's competency.

Video in court shows Chism follow victim into bathroom
By Laura Crimaldi and John R. Ellement | Boston Globe | November 18, 2015

SALEM — Colleen E. Ritzer gave a genial wave as she walked away from her classroom on Oct. 22, 2013, and moments later, Philip D. Chism pulled up the hood on his sweatshirt, appeared to put on gloves, and followed her into the girls bathroom at Danvers High School.

Eleven minutes later, Chism, then a 14-year-old freshman, walked out of the bathroom. Ritzer, 24, did not.

Jurors hearing the rape and murder trial of Chism saw a series of chilling video clips Wednesday showing his movements during the day Ritzer was murdered. The footage began at 2:54 p.m. on Oct. 22, 2013, and showed Ritzer walking down a hallway dressed in a purple top and dark pants. She was smiling and waving at someone.

The next clip showed Chism walking out of Ritzer’s classroom and into a hallway. He briefly turned back toward the classroom and then returned to the hallway, pulling his hood up over his head on his teal sweatshirt.

At 3:06 p.m., a girl carrying a backpack was seen on video entering the girls bathroom and then quickly leaving. Chism followed her out.

The next clips showed Chism walking down a hallway and descending a stairwell. He was seen holding something dark in his hands and had his hood up. In one frame, Chism’s right hand was visible and it appeared red.

The videos were collected from the 140 motion-activated surveillance cameras inside the school.

More at link: https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/11/18/philip-chism-changes-mind-and-will-attend-trial/85kYvH3pzENGsCEoaNUGHN/story.html

No Live Stream!

Cathy @courtchatter 5m
#PhilipChism - Sigh. NO STREAM. Judge has banned video from the courtroom because jurors were shown yesterday.

After sidebar, Judge Lowy says video cameras will not operate for the rest of the day, at a minimum, says TV pool possibly out "for the rest of the trial."

Many people are tweeting from the courtroom. #PhilipChism or #ChismTrial

DANG!!

I ask you... is that any way to run a Top rank ballroom?

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

LOL .. Rumpole, yes with all the delays behind us I expected smooth sailing from here on out. WRONG!

Maybe (hoping) the judge will allow video cameras back in tomorrow.

Court is adjourned for the day. Testimony resumes Friday morning at 9:00AM.