Judge in Murder Trial Denies Defense's Request to Use Brain Tests

Photo Credit: 7News/whdh.com

Philip Chism’s murder trial continued Friday, after the judge denied a request by the defense to use brain MRI tests from two years ago.

Chism, is the Danvers teen and former Danvers High School student, accused of raping and murdering his math teacher, Colleen Ritzer of Andover, in 2013.

The jury and the defendant were not in the courtroom on Thursday. On Wednesday, the jury visited Danvers High School on Wednesday, and a few other key locations.

Lawyers for Chism, who was 14 years old at the time of his alleged crime, sought a mental health evaluation for him in mid-October. The judge declared the now 16-year-old Chism competent after reading a report on his ability to understand the trial proceedings and assist his attorneys.

On Thursday, the Salem Superior Court judge barred testimony on brain scans indicating schizophrenia in Chism, according to boston.com.

Chism’s defense attorney was upset on Friday after a judge ruled the jury will not hear certain statements, according to 7New/whdh.com, and told the judge she feels his ruling is unconstitutional. The judge said the defense expert can talk about Chism’s demeanor and give his medical opinion on mental health, but that current law doesn’t allow the precise statements.

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The trial is scheduled to resume on Monday.