Chism to be Sentenced in Murder of Danvers Teacher on Friday

Photo credit: 7 News/WHDH.com

Danvers, MA - Philip Chism is due to be sentenced by Judge David Lowy in Essex Superior Court in Salem on Friday.

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

The Essex County District Attorney’s office is seeking three life sentences with the possibility of parole for Chism, according to the Boston Globe.

That sentence means Chism would be behind bars until he is at least 64.

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.