Colleen Ritzer’s family speaks out after Philip Chism asks SJC to vacate convictions in teacher’s 2013 murder

Philip Chism was 14 when he raped, robbed, and murdered math teacher Colleen Ritzer in a Danvers High School bathroom.

The family of a Danvers math teacher who was raped and murdered by one of her students in 2013 is vowing to fight back after lawyers for Philip Chism, her killer, appeared before the Supreme Judicial Court Wednesday in a bid to vacate his convictions.

Chism was 14 when he raped, robbed, and murdered Colleen Ritzer in a Danvers High School bathroom on Oct. 22, 2013. He was convicted of first-degree murder, aggravated rape, and armed robbery in 2016 after jurors rejected his claims about hearing voices that told him to kill the 24-year-old Ritzer.

Chism, now 25, was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years for the murder charge, as well as a 40-year concurrent sentence on the charges of aggravated rape and armed robbery. Under the terms of his sentencing, he is not eligible for parole until he’s 54.

His lawyers are now asking the state’s highest court to vacate his convictions and order a new trial, arguing in part that Chism’s sentence essentially amounts to life without parole and violates Article 26 of the state’s constitution. Among other points, the lawyers also cited the trial judge’s rulings regarding evidence and witness testimony they say would have supported Chism’s defense that he was suffering from a psychotic disorder at the time of the murder.

Ritzer’s family fought back in a statement Wednesday, asserting Chism is beyond rehabilitation absent any admission of remorse.

“For more than a decade, we have fought tirelessly for justice for Colleen, but there can never truly be justice for the life that was stolen from us,” the family said.

Their statement also alluded to Chism’s 2014 attack on a female counselor at a juvenile detention facility in Dorchester, where he was awaiting trial for Ritzer’s murder. He pleaded guilty earlier this year to those separate charges and was sentenced to 17 to 20 years in state prison, to run concurrently with his sentence for killing Ritzer.

“Colleen and our family will not be afforded a second chance,” Ritzer’s family said. “If we live in a just society, neither should he.”

Statement from the family of Colleen E. Ritzer

“The heinous crime committed against our daughter and sister Colleen was an attack on her and all that is good in the world. Her life was viciously and brutally taken by this evil individual, and the horror she endured is unimaginable. It is clear and agreed to by a trial and jury of his peers that the convict’s actions were premeditated, calculated, and committed of pure evil based upon overwhelming evidence. Without any admission of remorse, this evil individual cannot be rehabilitated.

If the convict’s 40-year sentence is reduced for the crimes he was found guilty, he could be eligible for parole at age 39. This is unthinkable, considering his later violent attack on another young woman. Colleen and our family will not be afforded a second chance. If we live in a just society, neither should he.

For more than a decade, we have fought tirelessly for justice for Colleen, but there can never truly be justice for the life that was stolen from us. We will continue to fight these senseless judicial proceedings because we owe it to Colleen and her memory. That we, her family, and friends must even consider the possibility of reducing this convicted murderer’s sentence is unbelievable. We should not have to continue enduring this painful process. Our family, and all those who loved Colleen and live each day to preserve her memory through kindness and love, deserve lasting justice and peace.”

Abby Patkin is a general assignment news reporter whose work touches on public transit, crime, health, and everything in between.