Massachusetts Court Upholds Philip Chism's Murder Conviction

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has denied Philip Chism's appeal for a new trial or resentencing in the 2013 murder of Danvers High School math teacher Colleen Ritzer. Chism, who was 14 at the time of the crime, was convicted of first-degree murder and aggravated rape after he attacked Ritzer in a school bathroom. His defense argued that he suffered from mental illness and that key expert testimony was excluded during the trial, but the court found no errors warranting a new trial. The ruling means Chism will not be eligible for parole until he is 54 years old. Ritzer's family expressed relief at the decision, labeling Chism as someone who cannot be rehabilitated. The court emphasized that the evidence presented at trial was sufficient to uphold the convictions.