News / International
US teen faces 2nd rape charge in teacher killing
25 Jan 2014 at 05:35hrs | Views
A 15-year-old boy accused of raping and killing his math teacher last year was indicted on Friday on a second aggravated rape charge.
A grand jury indicted Philip Chism on a charge alleging that he forcibly had sexual intercourse with school teacher Colleen Ritzer.
Chism, who was 14 when Ritzer was killed in October, was already charged with aggravated rape for allegedly sexually assaulting her with a stick. The 24-year-old teacher's body was found in woods near the school with her throat slit and a note that read: "I hate you all."
Carrie Kimball Monahan, a spokesperson for the prosecution, said Chism may be arraigned on the new charge next week at a previously scheduled pre-trial hearing.
Chism's lawyer, Denise Regan, did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
Monahan would not comment on the additional evidence presented to the grand jury, which was recalled on Friday morning.
"We had to wait until we had the evidence to present to the grand jury in order to do so," she said.
Chism had moved to Massachusetts from Tennessee before the beginning of the school year. Students told police that Chism stayed after school to receive extra help the day Ritzer was killed.
Search warrant documents describe surveillance video that authorities said show Chism following Ritzer into a school bathroom, wearing gloves and a hood.
A grand jury indicted Philip Chism on a charge alleging that he forcibly had sexual intercourse with school teacher Colleen Ritzer.
Chism, who was 14 when Ritzer was killed in October, was already charged with aggravated rape for allegedly sexually assaulting her with a stick. The 24-year-old teacher's body was found in woods near the school with her throat slit and a note that read: "I hate you all."
Carrie Kimball Monahan, a spokesperson for the prosecution, said Chism may be arraigned on the new charge next week at a previously scheduled pre-trial hearing.
Chism's lawyer, Denise Regan, did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
Monahan would not comment on the additional evidence presented to the grand jury, which was recalled on Friday morning.
"We had to wait until we had the evidence to present to the grand jury in order to do so," she said.
Chism had moved to Massachusetts from Tennessee before the beginning of the school year. Students told police that Chism stayed after school to receive extra help the day Ritzer was killed.
Search warrant documents describe surveillance video that authorities said show Chism following Ritzer into a school bathroom, wearing gloves and a hood.
Source - AP
