Who Is Philip Chism? Wiki, Biography, Family: Sentence For Murder Of Colleen Ritzer
Philip Chism is a convicted murderer and rapist who killed his math teacher, Colleen Ritzer, when he was 14 years old. He is currently serving a life sentence with the possibility of parole after 40 years.
This article will explore his background, his crime, his trial, and his sentence, as well as the impact of his actions on the victim’s family and the community.
Background
Philip Chism was born on January 21, 1999 (Age: 25 years; as of 2024) in Clarksville, Tennessee. He was the second of three children of Stacy and Diana Chism, who divorced in 2011. According to his family and friends, he was a quiet, polite, and athletic boy who enjoyed playing soccer and video games. He moved with his mother and siblings to Danvers, Massachusetts, in the fall of 2013, where he enrolled as a freshman at Danvers High School.
Colleen Ritzer was born on May 13, 1989, in Andover, Massachusetts. She was the eldest of three children of Tom and Peggie Ritzer. She graduated from Assumption College in 2011 with a degree in mathematics and a minor in psychology.
She was passionate about teaching and inspiring her students to love math. She started working at Danvers High School in 2012 as a math teacher for ninth and tenth graders. She was described by her colleagues, students, and family as a cheerful, caring, and dedicated teacher who always had a smile on her face.
Philip Chism BIO/WIKI
| Name | Philip Chism |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | January 21, 1999 |
| Age (as of 2024) | 25 years |
| Hometown | Clarksville, Tennessee |
| Occupation | Student |
| Crime | Murdered, raped, and robbed Ritzer on October 22, 2013 |
| Trial | Convicted of all charges on December 15, 2015 |
| Sentence | Life in prison with the possibility of parole after 40 years |
| Legacy | None |
Crime
On October 22, 2013, Philip Chism brought a box cutter, a mask, gloves, and a change of clothes to school. He attended his second-period algebra class taught by Colleen Ritzer. After class, Ritzer asked him to stay behind to help him with a test. She also mentioned his move from Tennessee, which apparently upset him.
On Oct. 22, 2013, a ninth grader at Danvers High School in Massachusetts named Philip Chism did the unthinkable. At just 14, he brutalized his 24-year-old math teacher, Colleen Ritzer.
— just cool amazing things (@coolamazingx) October 29, 2023
The reportedly joyful Ritzer was known to go out of her way to help her students with math and… pic.twitter.com/96gOzOgS0Q
He then followed her to the second-floor bathroom, where he attacked her with the box cutter. He raped her, stabbed her 16 times, and slit her throat. He then put her body in a recycling bin and dragged it to the woods behind the school. He also stole her credit card, iPhone, and underwear.
Chism then left the school and went to a nearby movie theater, where he bought a ticket for the film Gravity using Ritzer’s credit card. He then walked to a nearby Wendy’s restaurant, where he ordered food and changed his clothes.
He then took a train to Boston, where he wandered around the streets until the next morning. He was spotted by a woman who recognized him from the news and called the police. He was arrested on October 23, 2013, at 12:30 a.m. He had Ritzer’s blood on his hands and her credit card in his backpack.
Trial
Philip Chism was indicted for the murder, aggravated rape, and armed robbery of Colleen Ritzer. He was tried as an adult, despite being 14 at the time of the crime. His defense team argued that he was suffering from a psychotic disorder and was not criminally responsible for his actions. They claimed that he had a history of mental illness and had experienced a psychotic break on the day of the murder. They also presented evidence that he had heard voices, had suicidal thoughts, and had written “I hate you all” on a bathroom stall.
The prosecution argued that Chism was fully aware of what he was doing and had planned the murder in advance. They presented evidence that he had searched online for “how to kill someone with a knife” and “can a 14-year-old go to jail” before the crime. They also showed the surveillance footage from the school, the movie theater, and the train station, which showed him calmly carrying out his actions. They also played a recorded interview with the police, in which he confessed to killing Ritzer and said he did it because “she insulted me.”
The trial lasted for about a month and involved more than 40 witnesses and hundreds of exhibits. The jury deliberated for about nine hours and found Chism guilty of all charges on December 15, 2015.
Sentence
On February 26, 2016, Philip Chism was sentenced by Judge David Lowy to serve at least 40 years in prison. He received a life sentence for the murder, with the possibility of parole after 25 years, and a concurrent sentence of 40 years and one day for the rape and robbery. The judge said that he considered Chism’s age, mental health, and potential for rehabilitation, but also the brutality of his crime and the impact on the victim’s family and the community. He said that Chism had “a choice between right and wrong, between good and evil, and he chose evil.”
Before the sentencing, nine people read victim impact statements, including Ritzer’s parents, siblings, and friends. They expressed their grief, anger, and pain over losing their beloved daughter, sister, and teacher. They also asked the judge to impose the maximum sentence possible and to keep Chism behind bars for the rest of his life. Ritzer’s mother, Peggie, said that Chism was “pure evil” and that he had “destroyed our world.” She also said that he had “stolen Colleen’s chance to live out her dreams.”
Chism did not speak at the sentencing, nor did he show any emotion. His lawyer said that he was remorseful and that he hoped to get treatment for his mental illness. He also said that he planned to appeal the verdict and the sentence.
Impact
The murder of Colleen Ritzer shocked and saddened the Danvers community and the nation. She was remembered as a bright, beautiful, and compassionate person who had touched many lives with her teaching and her kindness. Her family and friends established a scholarship fund in her name, which awards grants to students who plan to pursue a career in education.
They also organized an annual 5K run/walk event, called Step Up for Colleen, which raises money for the fund and celebrates her life. They also created a website, Remembering Colleen, which shares her story and her legacy.
Philip Chism’s crime also raised questions about the juvenile justice system, the mental health system, and the school safety system. Some people argued that he should have been tried as a juvenile, given his age and his mental state. Others argued that he deserved to be punished as an adult, given the severity and the premeditation of his crime. Some people also wondered if he could have been prevented from committing such a horrific act if he had received proper mental health care and support. Others wondered if the school could have done more to protect its staff and students from such a violent attack.
The case of Philip Chism and Colleen Ritzer is a tragic and disturbing one, that has left a lasting mark on many people. It is a reminder of the fragility of life, the unpredictability of human behavior, and the need for justice and compassion.
