Free Republic

A prosecutor raised concerns about the safety of people around a 15-year-old Danvers boy accused of raping and killing his high school math teacher in newly released court documents that provide more detail about his alleged assault of a female counselor at a juvenile detention facility.

The shocking revelation was revealed in court documents released Friday. Other horrific details in the murder of 24-year-old Colleen Ritzer include that her alleged killer brought a box cutter, mask, gloves and several changes of clothing to Danvers High School on the day of the crime. A note found near the brutalized body of a beloved Massachusetts teacher who police said was raped and killed by one of her students read, “I hate you all.” ... Philip Chism, the 14-year-old accused killer, came to Danvers High School on Oct. 22 equipped to kill, the papers showed. He allegedly brought a...

Philip Chism admitted to police that he followed math teacher Colleen Ritzer, 24, into a second-floor bathroom at Danvers High School — where he attacked her, according to a report. The teen used a recycling bin to bring her body to the wooded area behind the school. The 14-year-old boy accused of killing a beloved Massachusetts teacher has allegedly confessed to slashing her throat with a box cutter in a school bathroom before dumping her body in a nearby patch of woods, according to a report. Philip Chism admitted to police that he followed math teacher Colleen Ritzer into a...

A 14-year-old arrested in the murder of a 24-year-old teacher in Danvers, Mass., was charged by the Essex district attorney as an adult Wednesday during his arraignment at Salem District Court. Philip Chism, 14, pleaded not guilty and was held without bail. His defense attorney argued for the proceedings to be closed and her client to be allowed to stay hidden because of his age. The judge denied the request. The judge approved a motion for a mental evaluation, The Boston Herald reported. Chism is charged in the murder of Colleen Ritzer of Andover, a Danvers High School teacher. She...

A 24-year-old Danvers High School teacher has been found dead, and a 14-year-old boy is being held without bail on a charge of murdering her. Math teacher Colleen Ritzer’s body was found in the woods behind the school, said Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett. Philip D. Chism was ordered held without bail at his arraignment this afternoon in Salem District Court. Judge Matthew Nestor approved funds for a mental competency evaluation. Chism is to be tried as an adult; a probable cause hearing was slated for Nov. 22. Chism had been reported missing Tuesday after he did not return home...

DANVERS (WHDH) -- A 14-year-old student is in custody after a teacher was found murdered at Danvers High Schools. Danvers Public Schools were closed Wednesday. The Essex District Attorney’s office said it was due to an ongoing homicide investigation. Danvers has five elementary schools, a middle school and a high school. Essex District Attorney said the schools are closed primarily for the investigation and that there is no risk to the public or children. Overnight, there were reports of a missing teen. The DA confirmed that the missing Danvers teen was found safe Wednesday morning. They’ve scheduled a news conference...