The Latest: Teen convicted in rape, murder of teacher to have hearing in separate case

SALEM, Mass. – The latest on the trial of a Massachusetts teenager charged with raping and killing his high school math teacher (all times local):

8:05 p.m.

Lawyers for a Massachusetts teenager who killed his math teacher in 2013 are due back in court on separate charges a day after he was convicted of rape and murder.

Sixteen-year-old Philip Chism faces charges including attempted murder and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon stemming from an attack on a state Department of Youth Services worker while awaiting trial for killing Danvers High School teacher Colleen Ritzer.

A spokesman for Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel Conley says lawyers for Chism will be in Suffolk County Juvenile Court in Boston on Wednesday.

Chism had been in a youth detention facility in Boston in June 2014 when prosecutors said he followed a worker into a locker room and choked and beat her before other workers intervened. The worker suffered injuries to her face, jaw, neck and back.

Juvenile court cases are typically closed, but because Chism is being charged as a youthful offender, the case will be open to the public. It’s not clear if Chism will attend.

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6:25 p.m.

The family of Colleen Ritzer is speaking out after a jury convicted student Philip Chism of brutally raping and killing the popular high school teacher in 2013.

Ritzer’s father, Thomas, says the family is “pleased” by the guilty verdict returned Tuesday but say it’s “no cause for celebration.”

Thomas Ritzer says the verdict doesn’t bring “true justice.” He says the family will still be reminded of the crimes as Chism appeals the case and is eligible for parole at some point.

Ritzer, who was joined by his wife and Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett, says the trial’s end marks a new phase of their lives, in which they hope to honour their 24-year-old daughter’s legacy.

Chism’s family declined to talk to reporters after the verdict was read Tuesday.

4:25 p.m.

A Massachusetts teenager has been convicted of raping and killing his high school math teacher.

Philip Chism was convicted Tuesday in the 2013 slaying of Colleen Ritzer, a 24-year-old algebra teacher at Danvers High School, about 25 miles north of Boston.

Chism was 14 when he followed Ritzer into a school bathroom, strangled her, stabbed her at least 16 times with a box cutter and raped her. Ritzer’s body was found in woods near the school.

Chism, now 16, was tried as an adult.

Chism’s lawyer admitted his client killed Ritzer, but said he was suffering from severe mental illness and wasn’t criminally responsible for his actions. A psychiatrist testifying for the defence said Chism was in the midst of a psychotic episode when he killed Ritzer.

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4:05 p.m.

A jury has reached a verdict in the trial of a Massachusetts teen who killed his math teacher in 2013.

The jury in the trial of Philip Chism deliberated for about 10 hours Monday and Tuesday before telling the judge it has reached its decision.

Chism is charged with raping and killing Colleen Ritzer, his 24-year-old algebra teacher at Danvers High School.

His lawyers admitted Chism killed Ritzer, but have asked the jury to find him not guilty by reason of insanity.

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2:30 p.m.

Jurors in the trial of a Massachusetts teen who killed his math teacher have received additional instructions from the judge on aggravated rape charges against him.

Philip Chism is charged with raping and killing Colleen Ritzer in 2013. His lawyers admit he killed Ritzer, but say he was severely mentally ill and have asked the jury to find him not guilty by reason of insanity.

Jurors began deliberating Monday. On Tuesday, they asked the judge to clarify the aggravated rape charges. Chism is accused of raping Ritzer once inside a girl’s bathroom at Danvers High School and then violating her with a tree branch in woods near the school, where he put her body.

Judge David Lowy told the jury that to find Chism guilty of the rape in the woods, prosecutors must prove that the rape and Ritzer’s death happened in close proximity.

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9:30 a.m.

The jury in the trial of a Massachusetts teen who killed his math teacher have resumed deliberations on murder and aggravated rape charges.

Jurors deliberated a little over three hours Monday in the trial of Philip Chism, charged in the 2013 killing of Colleen Ritzer, his algebra teacher at Danvers High School. The jury resumed deliberations Tuesday morning.

Chism’s lawyers admit he killed Ritzer, but say he was severely mentally ill and cannot be held criminally responsible for his actions.

Prosecutors say Chism knew right from wrong and plotted to kill the 24-year-old Ritzer, bringing a box cutter, gloves and other items to school.

Chism was 14 at the time. He is now 16 and is being tried as an adult.