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

[jacct]

allison manningVerified account ‏@allymanning 7m7 minutes ago
We'll be back from recess soon. #PhilipChism is at the defense table. John Osler is talking to him. He's nodding, but not really speaking.

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 1m1 minute ago
Court back in session. Denise Regan says she's finished cross examining Ofc. Steve Baldassare. Next witness is Carolyn Quigley.

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 1m1 minute ago
day of murder she picked up daughter at 310 pm

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis 1m1 minute ago
Quigley says the boy was crouching in bushes, looking around as if to check whether someone watching as he changed clothing.

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 52s52 seconds ago
Quigley given laser pointer to show were she parked that day on a large pic on screen in courtroom

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 1m1 minute ago
Says she saw boy changing and putting a bundle on the bushes on the front right hand of school

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis 33s34 seconds ago
Prosecutor Melissa Woodard shows her surveillance image of her car.

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 46s46 seconds ago
Quigley says after leaving a bundle in the brush, she saw the boy run down the sidewalk to an entrance to the school.

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 54s54 seconds ago
Daughter later told her about missing #PhilipChism, showed her a tweet from DPD about it

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 1m1 minute ago
Lawyers are now speaking with Judge David Lowy at sidebar.

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 1m1 minute ago
She recognized #PhilipChism as boy she saw in bushes that same day she said

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 31s32 seconds ago
Quigley testimony done, no cross by defense

 

[ms_x_to_the_m]

i feel really bad for that girl that walked in on it, iirc she didnt see anything disturbing* but just knowing she was that close to it must be a horrible thing to live with

*(i believe she just walked in for a second and he yelled at her to get out, she didnt know exactly what was happening)

I believe it has been reported that the student that walked in the bathroom saw naked buttocks, and thought she walked in on someone changing. So she got embarrassed and left.

 

[jacct]

[video=youtube;ugBK7hTG2vA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugBK7hTG2vA&feature=youtu.be&a[/video]

 

[jacct]

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 47s47 seconds ago
Vinicio Pimental is now testifying with the assistance of an interpreter.

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 1m1 minute ago
On day of murder, he cleaned at Danvers High School

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 1m1 minute ago
Worked at DHS for 1.5 years, had a cleaning team he worked with there, supervised

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis 37s38 seconds ago
He arrived at school at 4:45 pm. His workers clean the whole school.

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 51s52 seconds ago
Pimental said he was alerted to something in a girl's bathroom about 90 minutes into their work at Danvers High.

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 1m1 minute ago
As he approached hallway to bathroom, "there were foot steps with blood."

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 37s38 seconds ago
Pimental says when he went inside the bathroom he saw blood from the entry door to the wall

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 50s50 seconds ago
Pimental describes "splashes" of blood.

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 1m1 minute ago
ADA Melissa Woodard is showing Pimental a picture of the girl's bathroom where Colleen Ritzer was slashed.

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 1m1 minute ago
Pimental is using pointer to show where he saw blood from entrance to bathroom to handicapped stall at back of the room.

Laurel J. SweetVerified account ‏@Laurel_Sweet 59s59 seconds ago
"Inside here," he points to a photo of the bathroom's stalls, "there was more."

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis 3m3 minutes ago
Some blood was dry and some still wet, says Pimentel. "I went into the school office."

Laurel J. SweetVerified account ‏@Laurel_Sweet 1m1 minute ago
Pimentel says he went directly to the school office to notify the head custodian, but he was not around.

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis 1m1 minute ago
Instead of "Chuck," Pimentel found only his assistant, "Danny."

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 1m1 minute ago
Pimental's testimony ends for the day. Lowy is speaking with attorneys about scheduling at sidebar.

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 40s41 seconds ago
Lowy speaks to attorneys about scheduling, now talking to jurors. Says we are ahead of schedule

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis 1m1 minute ago
Lawyers back at sidebar and jury is excused.

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis 43s43 seconds ago
The juror in seat 6 is now at sidebar.

Laurel J. SweetVerified account ‏@Laurel_Sweet 48s49 seconds ago
One of the 10 male jurors has asked to speak to Lowy. He is escorted up to sidebar from the jury room.#PhilipChism watches from his chair.

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis 1m1 minute ago
He's now leaving the courtroom with a court officer. We don't know what he needed to ask.

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis 1m1 minute ago
Now the juror from seat 17 is here at sidebar. #PhilipChism prosecutor just spoke to victim advocate.

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis 1m1 minute ago
He's just looking at something a computer screen and says "nope," shakes his head.

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 51s52 seconds ago
Juror is taken away, attorneys still talking at sidebar with Lowy

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis 54s54 seconds ago
Lawyers still talking to judge.

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 1m1 minute ago
Court adjourns for the day.

Court resumes at 9:00am EST tomorrow.

 

[jacct]

[video=youtube;3iObSGFdWlQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iObSGFdWlQ&feature=youtu.be&a[/video]

 

[MsJosie]

I am confused as I am in late to the trial.
1. The accused is a minor, but is being tried as an adult.
2. The accused has mental issues according to his defense and is medicated.
3. The medication may not be actually for a mental issue as one really has not been idenified, but just in case he has a mental issue.
4. The Judge said the accused is competent to stand trial.
5. The accused tried to pull a fast one and get out of being in the court room as the accused said 'he could be dangerous'.
6. Defense doctor called in to check accused.
7. Accused does not want to be in court, comes in to court room finally to talk to Judge and changes his mind, decides to stay.

Just how many hours is court in session each day?
Did the state or even Judge have their own evaluations done on the accused?
The defense wants a insanity plea, what happens if accused is declared insane, goes to a hospital, 10 years later is "cured", is he set free?
Is there anywhere to read about those involved? I will start over from page one to read here but if there is other readings let me know.
Lastly, how was the accused behavior before he moved?

Thanks everyone

 

[Kadoober]

All the defense questions about blood, how it wasn't in the area, just on items, and the comment about how the recycling bin didn't appear to be coated in blood were strange.

Are they going to try to suggest Colleen was killed elsewhere?
That's the only thing I can come up with, even though it makes no darn sense.
'We can't prove she was killed in the bathroom, custodial staff cleaned up first!'

 

[Skigirl]

I am confused as I am in late to the trial.
1. The accused is a minor, but is being tried as an adult.

This is common in many states in the US when the crime is particularly serious and the child is in his or her teens.

2. The accused has mental issues according to his defense and is medicated.

One can have mental issues and nonetheless be culpable for a crime and tried in a court of law.

3. The medication may not be actually for a mental issue as one really has not been idenified, but just in case he has a mental issue.

He's medicated and the defense says he's psychotic. The prosecutor says that there was more nuance in the psych eval than that.

4. The Judge said the accused is competent to stand trial.

5. The accused tried to pull a fast one and get out of being in the court room as the accused said 'he could be dangerous'.

6. Defense doctor called in to check accused.

7. Accused does not want to be in court, comes in to court room finally to talk to Judge and changes his mind, decides to stay.

Yes, it surprised me that he changed his mind. Prosecution contends that he was just trying to stop the proceedings. It seemed to me that he realized, through the judge's questioning, that the trial was going to continue no matter what and that it was his right to be there and the judge did a good job of pointing out why that might be to his advantage, so he decided it would be a good idea to stay.

Just how many hours is court in session each day?

Seems court has been in session roughly 9-1:00. I have heard that court is being dismissed early each day because the defendant is a minor, but I'm not sure why that rule or practice exists.

Did the state or even Judge have their own evaluations done on the accused?

I am not sure how the psychiatrist who evaluated him was chosen, but it seems like no one disputes her ability or findings.

The defense wants a insanity plea, what happens if accused is declared insane, goes to a hospital, 10 years later is "cured", is he set free?

Yes, if not guilty by reason of insanity.

Is there anywhere to read about those involved? I will start over from page one to read here but if there is other readings let me know.

I'd start with google news to get up to speed. There aren't that many players, so it should be pretty straightforward.

Lastly, how was the accused behavior before he moved?

Defense says he was a weird kid.

 

[jacct]

The Judge said the accused is competent to stand trial.

Chism also refused to come out in the middle of jury selection. In an abundance of caution the judge ordered a psychiatric evaluation for competency at a mental facility and the psychiatrist used was court appointed. After 15 days (while the trial was on hold) the psychiatrist determined that Chism was competent. The eval has not been discussed in open court but appears to be a bone of contention between defense and prosecution.
​

The accused tried to pull a fast one and get out of being in the court room as the accused said 'he could be dangerous'.

Defense doctor called in to check accused.

Yes, yesterday the defendant refused to return from a break. Defense wanted another competency evaluation (which would hold trial another 15 days). Judge order the court appointed psychiatrist that did the initial eval to evaluate Chism. Psychiatrist submitted a report and defense agreed that Chism is still competent but wanted to waive his appearance in court and have him view the testimony outside the courtroom.
​

Accused does not want to be in court, comes in to court room finally to talk to Judge and changes his mind, decides to stay.

Yes. Very strange indeed.​

Just how many hours is court in session each day?

Court is from 9:00am to 1:00pm with 1 break. This is because defense says Chism can't tolerate a longer day.
​

Did the state or even Judge have their own evaluations done on the accused?

At this point prosecution, defense, and judge have had evaluations done.
​

The defense wants a insanity plea, what happens if accused is declared insane, goes to a hospital, 10 years later is "cured", is he set free?

Good question and I'd like to know the answer as well.
​

Is there anywhere to read about those involved? I will start over from page one to read here but if there is other readings let me know.

Go to the beginning of the thread, many of the articles about the initial crime are still available.
​

Thanks everyone

Respectfully snipped by me to answer the items I can answer. My responses are in red.

 

[jacct]

All the defense questions about blood, how it wasn't in the area, just on items, and the comment about how the recycling bin didn't appear to be coated in blood were strange.

Are they going to try to suggest Colleen was killed elsewhere?
That's the only thing I can come up with, even though it makes no darn sense.
'We can't prove she was killed in the bathroom, custodial staff cleaned up first!'

I can't understand these questions either, they seem so random. I can't figure out what the defense is trying to show with all the blood questions. Was he neat and tidy because of OCD? And what would that have to do with why he killed her so brutally? They haven't asked any questions that might tie in with mental illness that I can figure out.

 

[Elainera]

Regarding why he changed his mind and decided to stay in the court room after all, I believe he doesn't want to pass on the chance to throw another tantrum at some point in the future. This might not be a conscious thought, but part of his illness. I think he's a psychopath, he's doing things to get attention. He got that with his meltdown, and will now play along until he feels the need to be center stage again. (just my layman opinion)

Thank you jacct, for the tweets!

 

[LinasK]

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 52s52 seconds ago
#PhilipChism is looking directly at Lowy. "you have a right under the law and the Constitution to be here watching the trial," judge says

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 1m1 minute ago
Lowy stresses he wants to make sure #PhilipChism understands

Laurel J. SweetVerified account ‏@Laurel_Sweet 1m1 minute ago
#PhilipChism tells Judge Lowy he is on prescription medication.

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 1m1 minute ago
Lowy: "If you are not in the courtroom we’re going to have the courtroom proceedings…available for you to watch."

Victoria WarrenVerified account ‏@vwarrenon7 1m1 minute ago
#PhilipChism changes his mind and now says he wants to be present during the trial.

allison manningVerified account ‏@allymanning 58s59 seconds ago
Chism just said no, he WANTS to be here, doesn't want to waive his appearance. That was a very careful questioning by Lowy.

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 35s35 seconds ago
#PhilipChism is now seated next to attorney John Osler.

Laurel J. SweetVerified account ‏@Laurel_Sweet 1m1 minute ago Four court officers encircle #PhilipChism as his attorney Denise Regan stands at his side. He decides to stay.

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 1m1 minute ago
#PhilipChism is led away from the courtroom. The trial will resume at 10:15 a.m. when the jury returns.

Go judge!!! Let him know the trial will proceed without him! He doesn't get to stop the trial just because he doesn't want his handiwork to be exposed to the world.

 

[LinasK]

OMG! The video! You could see PC holding the gloves as he walked down the hall, and then pulling them on as he's entering the bathroom. Crazy.

The fact that he brought the gloves to school is premeditation. There's no way this was a rage killing because he was insulted by a question she asked him!!!

 

[Skigirl]

The fact that he brought the gloves to school is premeditation. There's no way this was a rage killing because he was insulted by a question she asked him!!!

I know! Totally nuts. The video really removed any doubt in my mind that he had every intention of killing her before he even got in that day. How truly horribly lucky he got to be able to carry out such a violent and blatant crime in such a public place and only by chance be found so quickly. Yikes. It reminds me of the Ally Zapp case in which she was followed into the restroom at a Burger King and stabbed to death by an employee, with an off-duty police officer in the adjoining men's room. It only took a moment. Life is so fragile.

 

[LinasK]

I know! Totally nuts. The video really removed any doubt in my mind that he had every intention of killing her before he even got in that day. How truly horribly lucky he got to be able to carry out such a violent and blatant crime in such a public place and only by chance be found so quickly. Yikes. It reminds me of the Ally Zapp case in which she was followed into the restroom at a Burger King and stabbed to death by an employee, with an off-duty police officer in the adjoining men's room. It only took a moment. Life is so fragile.

Heather Mack and Tommy Shaeffer who killed her mother in Bali and stuffed her body into a suitcase also tried to claim rage killing because of being insulted by something the victim said, yet texts are coming out now to show it was also premeditated. Maybe it helps the perp to justify it in their own mind if they think the victim had it coming/looking for an excuse to kill them (SICK, sick, sick!!!):notgood::notgood::notgood:

 

[joe jones]

I am really interested to hear the evidence for the insanity claims, seeing the CCTV clips today shows intent to follow her to the bathroom, shows intent to attempt to evade being caught by pulling hoody up and putting gloves on,

I thought it was very clever of the state to use different colour arrows on the diagram of the school to show what he was wearing and when he changed his clothes to a different colour, am very impressed with how the state is totally on point, they know the case really well and have got some excellent visual aides to help recreate the timeline and events, state attys are much more concise in questioning of witnesses,

think there will be more attempts by defendant to challenge competency, which will begin to piss off the judge, and I doubt there will be a reversal on his being competent

 

[MsJosie]

Thanks everyone for answering my questions on the case.....off to read from page one.

 

[Skigirl]

I believe that Chism brought the gloves with him because he knew he'd kill that day. What I want to know is how did he know he'd have an opportunity to kill Ritzer? Wasn't she the one who asked him to stay after class? Or did he stay because he wanted to? If he stayed because she asked, he wouldn't have known he'd be nearly alone with her. Did he know all along that he'd stay after to talk to her, and was it just a coincidence that she asked him to stay? Did he listen to music during class knowing that would trigger her to ask him to stay after class? Did he go to school that morning knowing he'd kill her, or did he just know he was going to kill someone, anyone who was vulnerable? His existence chills me to the bone.

 

[Kadoober]

I wonder if he'd been bringing the gloves (and boxcutter!) to school for awhile, waiting for the right time.

Maybe he had been, and the opportunity wasn't presenting itself, so he created one with the drawing and music in class.

Or maybe he did it just that day and created the opportunity. Either way, premeditated.

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

 

[ms_x_to_the_m]

I believe that Chism brought the gloves with him because he knew he'd kill that day. What I want to know is how did he know he'd have an opportunity to kill Ritzer? Wasn't she the one who asked him to stay after class? Or did he stay because he wanted to? If he stayed because she asked, he wouldn't have known he'd be nearly alone with her. Did he know all along that he'd stay after to talk to her, and was it just a coincidence that she asked him to stay? Did he listen to music during class knowing that would trigger her to ask him to stay after class? Did he go to school that morning knowing he'd kill her, or did he just know he was going to kill someone, anyone who was vulnerable? His existence chills me to the bone.

I believe it was stated in the opening by the prosecution that he in fact brought the items the day before. Not sure if he just carried it everyday, just in case.