Judge Denies Request to Try Chism as Juvenile

Salem Superior Court Judge Howard Whitehead denied a request by Philip Chism’s lawyers to try the 15-year-old as a juvenile in the murder of Danvers High School teacher Colleen Ritzer.

Defense attorney Denise Regan argued the state law that allows the state to try juveniles as adults in murder cases is “wrong and unconstitutional,” reported the Associated Press.

Chism was 14 when he allegedly killed Ritzer, who was from Andover, last October.

In addition to the murder, Chism later nearly choked a Department of Youth Services worker to death in June.

Here is previous Patch coverage about Chism, the murder and the attack on the DYS worker:

Prosecutor: Chism Nearly Killed DYS Worker

Chism Indicted on Attack of DYS Staff Member

Chism ‘Psychotic’ After Attacking DYS Staff Member

More Details Emerge About Chism’s Attack on DYS Counselor

Report: Chism Assaulted Female Department of Youth Services Employee

Investigators Say Chism Confessed to Murder of Teacher

Chism Indicted on Additional Count of Rape in Ritzer Murder

Chism Arraigned Wednesday in Murder of Teacher Colleen Ritzer

Court Records Say Chism Left Note ‘I Hate You All’ Next to Victim’s Body

Student Says Chism Upset By Teacher’s Mention of ‘Tennessee’