Philip Chism Sentence Handed Down

Photo courtesy WHDH, 7-News

DANVERS, MA - Philip Chism, the teen convicted of the murder and rape of Danvers High teacher Colleen Ritzer, was sentenced to at least 40 years in prison.

In a Salem court on Friday, Judge David Lowy handed down the sentence of life with the possibility of parole after 25 years for the murder conviction, 40 years and one day for the rape conviction, and 40 years and one day for the robbery conviction.

Chism needs to complete the sentence of 40 years and one day before parole can be considered.

“No amount of time would be enough commensurate with this crime,” said Lowy.

He will be in the custody of the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services until he is 21. He has been in prison since he was 14.

The Essex County District Attorney’s office called for the three consecutive life sentences, which would keep Chism in prison for at least the next 50 years.

Under Massachusetts state sentencing guidelines, Chism, who was 14 at the time of the murder, could not be sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.

At Friday’s sentencing hearing, Assistant District Attorney Kate MacDougall argued for the maximum sentence, stating that Chism should not be seen as a sick child, but as an incredibly disturbed young man.

Defense Attorney Susan Oker argued for concurrent sentences that could see Chism paroled by the age of 40, stating that there is the possibility that he could be rehabilitated in the future.

Earlier in the morning, Lowy and those in the courtroom heard victim impact statements from Ritzer’s friends, family, and fellow teachers.

Lifelong friend Jennifer Berger described Ritzer as a special type of person that others would want to be around.

“I was robbed of a friendship I treasured,” said fellow Danvers High School teacher Sarah Giaquinta.

The most powerful statements came from Ritzer’s mother, father, brother, and sister as Chism sat in the courtroom and stared straight ahead.

Brother Dan Ritzer said Colleen was the greatest sister a brother could ask for. He said Chism was an animal who should be put behind bars for the maximum possible sentence.

Colleen’s mother, Peggie Ritzer, remembered Oct. 22, 2013 as the day evil crossed the path of Colleen and the family.

“I’m not sure how evil could cross (Colleen’s) path of unwavering love, caring, and kindness,” she said.

Diana Chism, Philip Chism’s mother, issued a statement this morning.

“Words cannot express the amount of pain and sorrow these past two-and-a-half years have been,” she states. “However, there is no one who has suffered more than the Ritzer family. My utmost esteem, prayers, and humble respect is with them today as they continue their journey to heal.”

Chism, 17, was convicted last year of the murder and rape of Danvers High School teacher Colleen Ritzer in 2013.

Ritzer, 24, of Andover, a well-liked teacher at Danvers High School was found in October 2013 in the woods near Danvers High School, raped and with her throat slashed.

Chism was convicted of raping Ritzer inside the school bathroom but was acquitted of a second rape, committed with a tree branch in woods near the school where Chism put her body, according to 7News/whdh.com. He was also convicted of armed robbery for stealing Ritzer’s credit cards and her underwear. He was 14 at the time.

Chism used Ritzer’s credit card to the movies after killing her. Surveillance tape showed that he did not stay long, according to boston.com.