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

[Foxfire]

Chism pleads not guilty to Ritzer murder, rape, robbery charges

Following Chism's "not guilty" plea on the murder charge, defense lawyers Denise Regan and Susan Oker, flanking Chism in the courtroom, entered a not guilty plea on the latter two indictment allegations, for aggravated rape and armed robbery.
Chism's murder trial, as District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett's spokesperson Carrie Kimball Monahan noted, will proceed as an adult one because state statue says a person 14 years old or older who is indicted on murder charges must be tried as an adult.
The commonwealth must now prove to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt that Chism committed the crimes set forth in his indictment allegations. If he is found guilty on the murder charge, he could be sentenced to life without parole.


Read more: http://www.wickedlocal.com/danvers/...y-to-Ritzer-murder-rape-charges#ixzz2mXtEJGPX
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[PrairieWind]

So do we think they're trying for not guilty by reason of insanity? This is wild.

They will start negotiating to try to come to a plea agreement most likely. There is no question he committed the crimes. The defense will probably try to make an arguement of some sort of mental deficiency, but that is a pretty high standard to meet. We certainly don't know all the facts, but I don't recall there being any mental health issues with PC in his past. But the prosecution would probably like to avoid a trial and would maybe offer a term of years instead of life. A trial date will be set and I would anticipate a plea agreement announced just short of the trial. I would be very surprised if this case goes to trial.

 

[Trident]

Chism pleads not guilty to Ritzer murder, rape, robbery charges

Following Chism's "not guilty" plea on the murder charge, defense lawyers Denise Regan and Susan Oker, flanking Chism in the courtroom, entered a not guilty plea on the latter two indictment allegations, for aggravated rape and armed robbery.
Chism's murder trial, as District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett's spokesperson Carrie Kimball Monahan noted, will proceed as an adult one because state statue says a person 14 years old or older who is indicted on murder charges must be tried as an adult.
The commonwealth must now prove to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt that Chism committed the crimes set forth in his indictment allegations. If he is found guilty on the murder charge, he could be sentenced to life without parole.
Read more: http://www.wickedlocal.com/danvers/...y-to-Ritzer-murder-rape-charges#ixzz2mXtEJGPX
Follow us: @Danversherald on Twitter | 195871893756961 on Facebook
<sniped - Read More>

I'm sorry to say this, but I hope he is sentenced to life without parole. This rape and murder was too horrible for any childish excuses, in my opinion.

 

[PrairieWind]

I'm sorry to say this, but I hope he is sentenced to life without parole. This rape and murder was too horrible for any childish excuses, in my opinion.

I think I agree. We may learn more about why he did this, but I'm not sure it matters. The staggering violence of the murder and sexual assault of this well liked, and caring young teacher is truely horrific. I can't imagine a person capable of that could ever be rehabilitated.

 

[oh_gal]

I can't believe now he's saying he didn't do it (after making a confession, no less).

I really don't think he can ever be rehabilitated, sorry to say.

 

[liljim]

i dont think he should ever be free again either, but i dont see anywhere that he claimed he didnt do it. has he claimed that?

 

[LambChop]

i dont think he should ever be free again either, but i dont see anywhere that he claimed he didnt do it. has he claimed that?

I think it is common for a defendant to enter a plea of "not guilty" when they want a jury trial. If your plea was guilty I believe it would end with the judge sentencing you. jmo

 

[belimom]

I think it is common for a defendant to enter a plea of "not guilty" when they want a jury trial. If your plea was guilty I believe it would end with the judge sentencing you. jmo

This may be common, but it's infuriating, especially with all the evidence they have in this case. Such a waste of taxpayers' money as well as stress on her family, if there ever is as trial. :no:

 

[LietKynes]

Lock Chism up and throw away the key.
Sorry to sound so harsh , but if he ever walks free I would fear for other people --- innocent folks who might speak "badly" about his home state, or WHATEVER ---people could very well be in danger wherever he goes !
As far as Colleen, I don't believe her comment about the state he'd moved from was the main factor; and most articles say she even changed the subject. Just that Philip seems to be ready to commit monstrous acts for any reason at all.

My opinion and I'm sticking by it.

 

[liljim]

I think it is common for a defendant to enter a plea of "not guilty" when they want a jury trial. If your plea was guilty I believe it would end with the judge sentencing you. jmo

right, but its different than saying "i did not do this".

like others said, i would guess he is going to claim some sort of insanity or diminished capacity, the not guilty plea is the first step in doing that.

btw this does not look at all like a case where an insanity plea would succeed in massachusetts, none of the usual factors are there.

 

[liljim]

Lock Chism up and throw away the key.
Sorry to sound so harsh , but if he ever walks free I would fear for other people --- innocent folks who might speak "badly" about his home state, or WHATEVER ---people could very well be in danger wherever he goes !
As far as Colleen, I don't believe her comment about the state he'd moved from was the main factor; and most articles say she even changed the subject. Just that Philip seems to be ready to commit monstrous acts for any reason at all.

My opinion and I'm sticking by it.

i agree, regardless of any degree of mental illness.

 

[LambChop]

This may be common, but it's infuriating, especially with all the evidence they have in this case. Such a waste of taxpayers' money as well as stress on her family, if there ever is as trial. :no:

It's the law. Everyone is entitled to a trial by their peers. This is guaranteed if your plea is not guilty. He can't get a trial without it. Doesn't change the fact this person admitted to doing the crime. If he wants a jury trial he has to enter a plea of not guilty, I believe. Otherwise there is no trial and he is sentenced by the judge. A judge might give him 25 to life whereas a jury might give him 20. Most defendants feel they have a better chance of getting the case dismissed by way of a trial. jmo

 

[AnaTeresa]

This may be common, but it's infuriating, especially with all the evidence they have in this case. Such a waste of taxpayers' money as well as stress on her family, if there ever is as trial. :no:

Thing is, often this early in the case, prosecutors may not have a handle on the evidence as it is, much less have turned it over in discovery. Most times, neither side is ready to negotiate but these things always start with a not guilty plea because of speedy trial requirements. It's not really a "waste" of money. It's the product of a slow moving system.

 

[Foxfire]

Thing is, often this early in the case, prosecutors may not have a handle on the evidence as it is, much less have turned it over in discovery. Most times, neither side is ready to negotiate but these things always start with a not guilty plea because of speedy trial requirements. It's not really a "waste" of money. It's the product of a slow moving system.

'A slow moving system ran by Attorneys that benefit financially from the slow moving wheels of Justice, imo'..

 

[LietKynes]

It is too bad that Colleen's family may have to go through a lengthy trial --- this is the perp's right, I know. Doesn't make it easier ; and I hope the defense atty.'s don't try to get him a lighter sentence by trashing Colleen or making "suggestions" that are based on distortions !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[lawstudent]

It's such an awful case that if anything they will go for the insanity defense - I can't see them doing victim-blaming. I certainly hope not. That would backfire. I have a feeling his plea will be changed, and he'll get some kind of "deal", but not one that's going to do him any favors. MA doesn't have the death penalty, so I guess that's not a bargaining tool.

 

[BeginnersLuck]

It's such an awful case that if anything they will go for the insanity defense - I can't see them doing victim-blaming. I certainly hope not. That would backfire. I have a feeling his plea will be changed, and he'll get some kind of "deal", but not one that's going to do him any favors. MA doesn't have the death penalty, so I guess that's not a bargaining tool.

I don't think there will be any victim blaming either. The death penalty wouldn't apply regardless because he's a minor.

I don't think I have ever seen anyone plead guilty right off the bat in a murder case. If they allowed him to do this, I'm afraid it would later be appealed for one reason or another.

 

[cuffem]

It is too bad that Colleen's family may have to go through a lengthy trial --- this is the perp's right, I know. Doesn't make it easier ; and I hope the defense atty.'s don't try to get him a lighter sentence by trashing Colleen or making "suggestions" that are based on distortions !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You know some sleazy defense attorney will go there and insinuate some kind of relationship between the two.

 

[possumheart]

http://www.news.com.au/world/boy-denies-raping-killing-his-teacher/story-fndir2ev-1226776485402
Police haven't released a motive for Ritzer's killing. Assistant District Attorney Kate MacDougall said nothing during the investigation has pointed to mental health issues. Chism's lawyer, Denise Regan, said she would raise the issue of mental competency "if and when" she feels it's appropriate.

 

[AnaTeresa]

'A slow moving system ran by Attorneys that benefit financially from the slow moving wheels of Justice, imo'..

Not exactly. Attorneys can't move forward without evidence. Some of this falls back on law enforcement and other specialists. Attorneys have to wait for DNA and other forensic analysis, witness interviews, mental health assessments, etc. etc. There's a huge backlog for forensic analysis and even when things are rushed, it still takes time.

A large part of the delay has to do with the sheer amount of cases being processed every day. It's not one side that's to blame, it's that law enforcement, prosecutors, and defense attorneys are required to handle so many things at one time that delays happen. It's unfortunate, but it's a side effect of the large numbers of crimes which are committed each day. Remember, law enforcement, prosecutors, and defense attorneys are working on many cases all at one time, not just one. There's a lot of work to be done to make sure that errors don't occur.

For the most part, I believe that law enforcement, prosecutors, and defense attorneys, are doing the best they can with criminal cases and not trying to unnecessarily delay the system. It's just that with a system this busy, you've got to juggle a lot to keep all your balls in the air.

The civil system, on the other hand, is an entirely different story...