GUILTY MA - Colleen Ritzer, 24, brutally murdered, Danvers, 22 Oct 2013 #1

[jacct]

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 1m1 minute ago
Osler points to blood on door frame. Wennerberg says the hand print or smudge was on the door, above blood drips on the frame.

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 3m3 minutes ago
Jury gets a view of more blood splatters on a divider wall in the girl's bathroom. Wennerberg says that's all the blood she saw

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 3m3 minutes ago
Osler directs Wennerberg to her trip outside to look at the black bag that was found between boulders outside Danvers High

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 3m3 minutes ago
Wennerberg says the folded paper, fabric, and glove she saw in the woods were "covered in blood."

Laura Crimaldi‏@lauracrimaldi 60s60 seconds ago
White glove that Wennerberg found in the woods is displayed for jury. A line of blood is visible.

Laurel J. SweetVerified account ‏@Laurel_Sweet 42s43 seconds ago
Peggie Ritzer turns away from the multiple projection screens in courtroom.

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 1m1 minute ago
K9 officer Justin Ellenton from Danvers PD now on stand

 

[jacct]

Laurel J. SweetVerified account ‏@Laurel_Sweet 53s54 seconds ago
The prosecution's 8th witness against #PhilipChism is @DanversPolice K-9 Officer Justin Ellenton, whose partner in 2013 was Falco.

Laurel J. SweetVerified account ‏@Laurel_Sweet 47s48 seconds ago
Today, retired @DanversPolice K-9 Falco is Ellenton's pet

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 2m2 minutes ago
Falco had drug training, can track human scent, evidence retrieval, bite/protection/apprehension training

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 58s58 seconds ago
Was first called out that night to look for missing #PhilipChism

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 1m1 minute ago
Ellenton says he then heard radio traffic from Ofc. Wennerberg, who reported a black bag found in the woods near Danvrs High

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 48s49 seconds ago
Ellenton says that he asked everyone to get out of the woods so Falco could work the scene.

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 1m1 minute ago
Ellenton now IDs Ritzer bag found in rocks, had Falco sniff bag for scent

 

[jacct]

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 1m1 minute ago
Ellenton says Falco was presented with Colleen Ritzer's school bag and set off to look for that scent

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 2m2 minutes ago
#PhilipChism seated at defense table appears to still be looking straight ahead

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 43s44 seconds ago
Describing how Falco pulled him to boulders, on left side, dog had deep nasal breaths, wagging tail

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 3m3 minutes ago
Ellenton says Falco directed him to the boulders. Officer says there he saw a purple bag.

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 2m2 minutes ago
Falco pulled him further into woods, pulled very strong to the top of a rise

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 33s34 seconds ago
Ellenton says Falco drew him to an area where he saw a grey, blood-soaked sneaker.

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 53s53 seconds ago
Falco started to pull Ellenton on rocks toward rail trail, "he pulled me strong to the fence."

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 1m1 minute ago
Ellenton: "His behavior changed dramatically and he pulled me strong to the fence...He was kind of frantic in his behavior."

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 2m2 minutes ago
Falco pulled him hard into the gully, dove into gully, found a large green recycling bin on its side

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 1m1 minute ago
After Falco found bin, Ellenton brought him back up hill, tied him to tree so he could investigate

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 27s28 seconds ago
Morning recess called now by Judge Lowy. We will be back around 11 am. Live updates will continue then

 

[jacct]

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 6m6 minutes ago
STORY: Mother of Colleen Ritzer talks about loss in Chism murder trial

Peggie Ritzer wore a pink top in memory of her slain daughter, Colleen, when she testified Tuesday in the trial of the teenager who is accused of murdering and raping her daughter, a 24-year-old math teacher at Danvers High School.

http://ow.ly/UL7WC

 

[jacct]

[video=youtube;hAM4qG6tWNk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAM4qG6tWNk&feature=youtu.be&a[/video]

 

[jacct]

Laurel J. SweetVerified account ‏@Laurel_Sweet 2m2 minutes ago
There is an unexplained delay going on at Salem trial of #PhilipChism. Neither he, the judge nor the jury have returned as yet.

Chism refusing to come out to continue trial. He says he feels violent and doesn't want to hurt anyone.

Laurel J. SweetVerified account ‏@Laurel_Sweet 1m1 minute ago
BREAKING: #PhilipChism having meltdown in court lockup.

Judge saying this happened before and that time he was competent. The defendent can waive his right to be present, defense says he isn't competent to waive.

Laurel J. SweetVerified account ‏@Laurel_Sweet 1m1 minute ago
Attorney Regan reports "he's shaking, he's twitching, he's mumbling ..."

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 1m1 minute ago
Judge David Lowy says we've been down this road before.

Cathy ‏@courtchatter 38s39 seconds ago
#PhilipChism - Judge says he has already found Chism competent to stand trial.

Cathy ‏@courtchatter 46s46 seconds ago
#PhilipChism - Judge:Chism can waive his right to be present at trial but judge must determine he is competent right now to waive that right

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 56s57 seconds ago
Regan says this is a very stressful situation for #PhilipChism, notes he's been diagnosed with psychosis

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis 1m1 minute ago
Defense is asking for another evaluation. Cited his diagnosis and his age.

Cathy ‏@courtchatter 1m1 minute ago
#PhilipChism - Defense: He's a 16 yr old, he's not an adult. He has a serious illness.

Cathy ‏@courtchatter 1m1 minute ago
#PhilipChism - State: This is happening on the eve of the recycling barrel being brought in. (where he put Ritzer's body)

Cathy ‏@courtchatter 1m1 minute ago
#PhilipChism - State: A murder trial is stressful on any defendant.

Cathy ‏@courtchatter 1m1 minute ago
#PhilipChism - State wants to make sure Chism knows he's not in charge of this process.

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis 1m1 minute ago
Prosecutor: "very concerned about the timing of this" just as jurors about to see evidence of bloody recycling bin.

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 1m1 minute ago
Lowy "reason he doesn't want to come out is because he's stressed ... That's about competency, that's refusal."

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 2m2 minutes ago
Judge David Lowy: "I don’t have anything before me to stop this trial and go down that road."

allison manningVerified account ‏@allymanning 1m1 minute ago
Prosecutor: He is not in charge of this process and frankly, I think that he thinks he is.

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 1m1 minute ago
Judge Lowy says he's going to take a look at #PhilipChism for himself. He takes a short recess.

 

[jacct]

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis
The judge just called a recess he will speak to #PhilipChism in the holding cell area. Judge thinks Chism simply refusing.

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis
Prosecutors and lawyers still in courtroom - if they go in it will be with a stenographer.

[video=youtube;rAw1mYy-Vms]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAw1mYy-Vms&feature=youtu.be&a[/video]

 

[jacct]

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis 1m1 minute ago
The attorneys have returned to courtroom and are now huddling.

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis 45s46 seconds ago
Judge is about to come out and decide whether another evaluation is warranted.

allison manningVerified account ‏@allymanning 1m1 minute ago
Already, the trial is only on half days (til 1p) because of Chism's age (16).

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 48s48 seconds ago
#PhilipChism mother has remained seated in front row of courtroom throughout this issue

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis 3m3 minutes ago
Defense lawyer now going back into lockup to talk to #PhilipChism

Laurel J. SweetVerified account ‏@Laurel_Sweet 1m1 minute ago
MacDougall noted she plans to wheel the green recycling bin into courtroom tomorrow - believes that's what's set #PhilipChism off.

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis 2m2 minutes ago
Waiting for judge to return to courtroom.

 

[AnaTeresa]

Chism's attorneys must be beyond frustrated with him at this point, in my opinion.

 

[jacct]

Cathy ‏@courtchatter 38s38 seconds ago
LIVE NOW: Cameras are back on in #PhilipChism courtroom

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 59s60 seconds ago
Lowy says Chism refused to speak with the court or lawyers. He was lying on the floor and mumbling.

Victoria WarrenVerified account ‏@vwarrenon7 52s53 seconds ago
Judge says 2 options.. force #PhilipChism into court possibly in shackles or waive his appearance in court. Judge asking clinician to come

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 1m1 minute ago
Judge David Lowy says the court is contacting Dr. Virginia Merritt, who wrote the report on #PhilipChism during his competency evaluation

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis 2m2 minutes ago
Trial is on hold until she meets with #PhilipChism

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis 1m1 minute ago
Jury will be sent home because the doctor can't get here until later.

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis 47s47 seconds ago
They'll be told not to speculate why #philipchism not in courtroom and released for the day.

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis 2m2 minutes ago
Dr. Virginia Merritt will come out to speak to #philipchism. She's the one who evaluated him after his first refusal to enter court in oct.

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis 1m1 minute ago
She will then give a 15a report on competency. If she finds him competent the trial could go on without #PhilipChism present.

Organic Reality TV ‏@Organic_Reality 1m1 minute ago
State tearing into the Defense while in recess. Yikes!

Prosecution was very angry at Defense. This was picked up while waiting for the jury to come out, I need to listen to that on the video to make out what was said but it was heated.

Court scheduled to start tomorrow at 10:30am EST.

 

[jacct]

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 1m1 minute ago
Lawyers head to sidebar at request of ADA Kate MacDougall.

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis 1m1 minute ago
There is another issue raised by defense. They're discussing at sidebar.

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis 3m3 minutes ago
One police witness is wearing a pink tie. Defense did not object when he took the stand but may be unhappy.

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis 2m2 minutes ago
Many members of Ritzer family wearing pink in honor of the slain teacher.

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 1m1 minute ago
Psychiatrist is on the way. Court in recess until 2 pm #PhilipChism

 

[jacct]

[video=youtube;Rc45YFQekUk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rc45YFQekUk&feature=youtu.be&a[/video]

 

[AnaTeresa]

If Chism is malingering, this is not going to end well for him.

I feel for the attorneys on both sides - this completely throws off the schedule. Not only do you spend all this time preparing for what will be covered that day, but you line up expert witnesses based upon a general schedule for the trial and estimates by both sides how long direct and cross will take for each witness. This will completely gum up the works, and it can be so hard to get law enforcement, physicians and other medical personnel, coroners, and forensic experts all scheduled on the same case.

I don't blame the prosecutor for being angry at all. I can imagine that the defense attorneys will have some strong words for Chism privately. They must be seething, although they can't really show it.

 

[jacct]

If Chism is malingering, this is not going to end well for him.

I feel for the attorneys on both sides - this completely throws off the schedule. Not only do you spend all this time preparing for what will be covered that day, but you line up expert witnesses based upon a general schedule for the trial and estimates by both sides how long direct and cross will take for each witness. This will completely gum up the works, and it can be so hard to get law enforcement, physicians and other medical personnel, coroners, and forensic experts all scheduled on the same case.

I don't blame the prosecutor for being angry at all. I can imagine that the defense attorneys will have some strong words for Chism privately. They must be seething, although they can't really show it.

I think the defense is not unhappy with this behavior. It supports their mental health defense. They immediately wanted to halt the trial for another 10 days for another psych eval. I think if they had their way they would like Chism declared incompetent and the trial permanently stopped. The judge was willing to let Chism waive his appearance in court and let him watch from another room but the defense claimed he wasn't competent to waive his right.

What I found interesting is after the judge ruled he would have the court appointed psych doctor evaluate Chism the defense wanted the judge to hear a motion. The judge said he couldn't unless Chism waived his right to be present and the defense said they would waive his right so the motion could be heard. So, not competent to waive court appearance for trial but competent to waive court appearance for motion.

 

[smeck]

Everything about this case is heartbreaking.......I do not think I can follow anymore. I am really surprised that he was not found insane by the psychiatrists. He is so badly and completely damaged. My heart goes out to the Ritzer family......their pain must be unbearable to have to be in the courtroom. Prayers to the Ritzer family.

 

[AnaTeresa]

I think the defense is not unhappy with this behavior. It supports their mental health defense. They immediately wanted to halt the trial for another 10 days for another psych eval. I think if they had their way they would like Chism declared incompetent and the trial permanently stopped. The judge was willing to let Chism waive his appearance in court and let him watch from another room but the defense claimed he wasn't competent to waive his right.

What I found interesting is after the judge ruled he would have the court appointed psych doctor evaluate Chism the defense wanted the judge to hear a motion. The judge said he couldn't unless Chism waived his right to be present and the defense said they would waive his right so the motion could be heard. So, not competent to waive court appearance for trial but competent to waive court appearance for motion.

The defense knows it's not going to get a positive psych evaluation - it seems highly unlikely that there would be a different opinion after the first declaring him competent. And then, when there are dueling psych reports, it's up to the judge to decide which one to believe. The chances of succeeding with this tactic are slim. Asking for the trial to be halted for another evaluation is merely doing their due diligence, as is the argument Chism isn't competent to waive that right.

However, despite doing their due diligence, they know they need to keep the ball rolling and what the eventual outcome will be, which is why the defense waived his right to be present for the motion. Further, it's not uncommon for defendants not to be present during procedural arguments. It's preferred to have them there, but not necessary when it's just attorneys dueling over case law and procedural matters.

Most defense attorneys are pretty jaded about their clients and their cases - I can't seem them truly thinking they can get Chism declared incompetent. This seems more like par for the course arguments by the defense, where you have to try the tactic to preserve the defendant's rights, rather than a sincere belief it will be successful. :twocents:

 

[Kadoober]

Ugh. I get the judge being diligent and having a Dr. come in but dang... strap him to a chair and wheel his self back into the courtroom to face the consequences of his actions.
That way his feeling of violence are restrained and this can carry on.

You're not running the show, buddy. Deal with it.

 

[jacct]

Laurel J. SweetVerified account ‏@Laurel_Sweet 3m3 minutes ago

Back in Courtroom J, we are awaiting word from Judge Lowy and Dr. Merritt on how - if - #PhilipChism trial will proceed.

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis 2m2 minutes ago
Attorney is going back into holding cell with #philipchism

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis 1m1 minute ago

People making small talk in courtroom. Still waiting for word on whether he is competent

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis 1m1 minute ago
Regan, back at defense table, just pulled out a binder full of trial documents.

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis 2m2 minutes ago
Regan just whispered something to #PhilipChism mother and then left the courtroom.

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis 1m1 minute ago
Now #PhilipChism mom is leaving.

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis 1m1 minute ago
Prosecutors have just all left the courtroom. Even the technical guy running the equipment for DA went out. #philipchism

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 2m2 minutes ago
Chism mom is back in first row of courtroom now, holding large pile of Kleenex

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis 2m2 minutes ago
A victim advocate from DA office just spoke to the Ritzers.

 

[LinasK]

Ugh. I get the judge being diligent and having a Dr. come in but dang... strap him to a chair and wheel his self back into the courtroom to face the consequences of his actions.
That way his feeling of violence are restrained and this can carry on.

You're not running the show, buddy. Deal with it.

Exactly! Chain him up and have him present. He needs to be held accountable for his evil actions! He's afraid of being exposed for his handiwork. This is just like Jodi Arias's fake migraines and Michael Jackson's fake spider bite, all to try to delay their trials.:stormingmad:

 

[Skigirl]

I would be fit to be tied if I were the prosecution, but at least the judge won't be giving the defense grounds for an appeal or, god forbid, a mistrial.