Philip Chism Raped Teacher Colleen Ritzer Before Killing Her: Prosecutors

Shocking New Charge In Murder Of Mass. Teacher

The Massachusetts teen on trial for the murder of a popular math teacher at his school faces new charges.

On Friday, an Essex County grand jury charged 15-year-old Philip Chism with an additional count of aggravated rape in the death of teacher Colleen Ritzer, 24. Prosecutors said that the teen forced Ritzer to have sexual intercourse before he slashed her throat and dumped her body in the woods near Danvers High School on Oct. 22, according to the Boston Globe.

Chism already faced an aggravated rape charge in the teacher's death because he allegedly sexually assaulted her with a stick, according to the Associated Press.

Aggravated rape charges are brought when there is serious bodily harm or when the rape was committed during another felonious and violent crime, prosecutors said in a statement.

Chism, who was 14 at the time of the alleged murder, pleaded not guilty in December.

The Danvers High School student allegedly attacked Ritzer, who was his algebra teacher, when she stayed after school to talk to him about an upcoming test. Chism allegedly followed her into a bathroom at the school and attacked her with a box cutter.

A pretrial hearing in Chism's case is scheduled for Jan. 30.

Before You Go

Colleen Ritzer

Philip Chism Murder Case

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