Family of Massachusetts teacher raped and killed at school vow to continue 'senseless' fight

Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald on Oct 10, 2024

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BOSTON — The family of the Danvers math teacher killed and raped in a school bathroom says they will continue to endure “senseless judicial proceedings” as they “owe it” to her and her memory.

Colleen Ritzer’s family released an emotional statement Wednesday after her killer Philip Chism’s attorneys argued for the state Supreme Judicial Court to toss his convictions and order a new trial.

“For more than a decade, we have fought tirelessly for justice for Colleen, but there can never truly be justice for the life that was stolen from us,” a portion of the family’s statement reads. “We will continue to fight these senseless judicial proceedings because we owe it to Colleen and her memory.”

Chism’s attorneys based their arguments to the SJC on how the judge at trial excluded brain-scan evidence, which they claim would have revealed how their client was suffering from a psychotic disorder.

“Let me begin by stating the obvious which is what occurred was obviously a senseless and horrific act,” attorney Michael Schneider said Wednesday morning.

Chism, at age 17, was convicted of raping and killing Danvers High teacher Colleen Ritzer, 24, on Oct. 22, 2013, in a bathroom at the school where she had taught for less than two years. His attorneys had argued the then-14-year-old couldn’t be held criminally responsible because he suffered from a long-untreated mental illness.

Ritzer, of Andover, was found partially naked and sexually posed in a shallow grave in the woods beside the school, buried beneath leaves, pine needles and twigs.

Chism faces a life sentence in prison for the murder charge, which carries parole eligibility in 25 years from the time it was handed down in 2016. That is in addition to a concurrent 40-year sentence for rape and armed robbery.

“If the convict’s 40-year sentence is reduced for the crimes he was found guilty, he could be eligible for parole at age 39,” Ritzer’s family said in its statement. “This is unthinkable, considering his later violent attack on another young woman. Colleen and our family will not be afforded a second chance. If we live in a just society, neither should he.”

The “later violent attack” referenced came months after Ritzer died when Chism allegedly stalked and pounced on a youth services clinician. Chism was arrested on kidnapping and attempted murder charges.

Ritzer’s family has been critical of the way Chism’s legal proceedings and rulings have been handled. They had requested three consecutive life sentences without parole eligibility, but the SJC eliminated without parole for juvenile suspects on Christmas Eve 2013, just two months after Ritzer’s gruesome death.

“That we, her family, and friends must even consider the possibility of reducing this convicted murderer’s sentence is unbelievable,” the family said in its statement Wednesday. “We should not have to continue enduring this painful process. Our family, and all those who loved Colleen and live each day to preserve her memory through kindness and love, deserve lasting justice and peace.”

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