- Danvers High School teacher Colleen Ritzer, 24, is seen in the video walking down the school corridor
- Philip Chism, who was 14 that time, followed the teacher a few seconds after she entered the bathroom
- The teenager brutally raped Coleen, strangled and stabbed her at least 16 times using a box cutter
- He was sentenced to a total of 40 years in prison after proven guilty of first-degree murder, rape, and armed robbery
DANVERS, Massachusetts – A CCTV footage emerged showing a teacher’s last moments before she was raped and stabbed to death by her 14-year-old student.
Jon Lockett mentioned in her article for The Sun published on April 3 that Danvers High School teacher Colleen Ritzer, 24, is seen in the video walking down the school corridor waving and smiling at students.
Coleen then headed into the toilet, unknowingly walking to where her killer would strike.
The video footage then showed the student, Philip Chism, who was 14 that time, following the teacher a few seconds after she entered the bathroom.
The teenager brutally raped Coleen, strangled and stabbed her at least 16 times using a box cutter.
Philip then loaded the lifeless body of the teacher into a recycling bin then wheeled her out of the school.
After sexually assaulting her body, Philip took her wallet and left her in a shallow grave in a nearby woods.
An article by Gail Shortland for The Mirror published on April 3 said that Coleen noticed Philip was sketching during a Mathematics lesson on October 22, 2013, which prompted her to ask the student to stay behind after school.
It was a decision that cost her life.
After a few hours, authorities found Colleen’s half-naked body with a note nearby which read: “I hate you all.”
Philip was picked up by the police as he walked along a local highway and he allegedly confessed in custody.
“After she insulted me, that’s when I became the teacher,” Philip said.
While in court, Philip, who is now 16, admitted killing his teacher but pleaded not guilty on the grounds of insanity.
In Massachusetts, the rule is anyone who is 14 or older charged with murder will be trialed as an adult.
The lawyers of Philips said the teenager suffered from a mental illness and was having a psychotic episode when he attacked his teacher.
However, medical experts who assess the teenager said his symptoms were inconsistent and he did know the difference between right and wrong.
After two days of deliberations, the jury found Philip guilty of first-degree murder, rape and armed robbery for stealing Coleen’s credit cards.
He was sentenced to a total of 40 years in prison. While the verdict was being read, Philip reportedly showed no emotion.
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