Back in 2013, 14-year-old student Philip Chism had been held responsible of raping and murdering his Math teacher, Colleen Ritzer, in a Massachusetts high school bathroom and dumping her body in the woods. According to a taped police interview, Chism told the officers that his teacher had offended him; which laid the first stone of giving her a piece of his mind.
The schoolboy’s parents’ divorce together with their move from Tennessee to Danvers is what might have caused Chism’s criminal acts against his teacher. According to the jury, the teenager was “severely mentally ill” and had suffered from a psychotic disorder since the age of 10. Problems within the family can increase the risk of suffering from behavioural and psychological problems. In the case of Chism, he had likely developed anger, anxiety and depressing thoughts, which led him to murder.
Setting him off with a "trigger’ word.
On October 22nd 2013, one of Chism’s colleagues said that he was drawing in a notebook instead of taking notes. Ritzer had walked towards him, asking him to stay after class. The two were having a conversation about China when at some point in time, Ritzer mentioned Tennessee, making Chism lose his temper.
“The defendant arrived at Danvers High School with a mask, a box cutter…”
CCTV cameras capture Chism following Ritzer after class to the ladies room and a few minutes later, only Chism was seen leaving the bathroom. The footage also captures Chism dragging Ritzer’s body in a recycling bin throughout the school, which was found in the woods together with a note nearby that read, “I hate you all.”
The 14-year-old student had pleaded not guilty to all charges back in December
Chism, now 16, is being testified in court. The teen’s attorney has admitted the unspeakable things done on Ritzer. Furthermore, Chism is being charged as an adult under Massachusetts law and also charged as a juvenile for aggravated rape and armed robbery. If found guilty, he would have to face a mandatory sentence of life in prison, without the possibility of parole. Following a mental health evaluation, he has been considered competent to understand the court proceedings and assist with his defense.
