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

[jacct]

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.

 

[jacct]

That was strange. Defense did not the doctor to testify about her report or Chism competency. Prosecution asked that the report be put into the record even if not testified to. After talking to the judge Chism tells the judge he wants to be in the courtroom. I wish I knew what this has been all about.

I don't know what Chism will do during trial today. Prosecution said they intend to wheel the green recycle bin into the courtroom for the jury to see. I wonder how Chism will react to that.

Croakqueen is on top of the videos! Here's the interaction between Chism and the judge:

[video=youtube;lweDO2rOzdk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lweDO2rOzdk&feature=youtu.be&a[/video]

 

[Skigirl]

That was strange. Defense did not the doctor to testify about her report or Chism competency. Prosecution asked that the report be put into the record even if not testified to. After talking to the judge Chism tells the judge he wants to be in the courtroom. I wish I knew what this has been all about.

I don't know what Chism will do during trial today. Prosecution said they intend to wheel the green recycle bin into the courtroom for the jury to see. I wonder how Chism will react to that.

Croakqueen is on top of the videos! Here's the interaction between Chism and the judge:

[video=youtube;lweDO2rOzdk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lweDO2rOzdk&feature=youtu.be&a[/video]

Pool videographer is being careful about not capturing anything said at sidebar after the warning this AM

 

[jacct]

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis 5m5 minutes ago
The big green bin is just a couple of feet from the jury box. Likely to be the first thing jurors see when they walk in.

Laurel J. SweetVerified account ‏@Laurel_Sweet 2m2 minutes ago
Supporters squeeze and pat the backs of Tom and Peggie Ritzer as they take their seats. Colleen's dad exhales.

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 1m1 minute ago
#PhilipChism is back in the courtroom seated at the defendant's table. Jury has not come in yet.

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis 1m1 minute ago
Jury has returned to courtroom. #PhilipChism judge is praising jurors for punctuality.

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 1m1 minute ago
Jury is seated. Danvers police Officer Justin Ellenton is to resume his testimony.

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 1m1 minute ago
Ellenton immediately IDs green recycling bin he and his K9 Falco found in woods behind DHS

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis 40s41 seconds ago
The bin is being moved back out of courtroom.

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 44s45 seconds ago
Proseuction says #PhilipChism used recycling barrel to take Colleen Ritzer's body into the woods.

allison manningVerified account ‏@allymanning 45s45 seconds ago
#PhilipChism was just looking up at the display for the first time I've seen, when a grey sneaker covered in blood was shown on the leaves.

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 59s59 seconds ago
Ellenton says Falco also located a pair of soccer cleats and lady's black, flat shoes under the leaves

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis 1m1 minute ago
Ellenton found clothing strewn around the gully. Some hanging on branches and some on ground. Some were bloody.

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 57s57 seconds ago
Jury sees bloody pair of jeans and sock found in the woods.

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis 51s51 seconds ago
The jury sees Ritzer's black pants in a photo.

 

[drjones]

not sure if it has been posted already but wcvb has live coverage streaming

 

[jacct]

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis 42s42 seconds ago
Ellenton asked the captain to call @NEMLEC to bring in other police dogs because Falco was getting tired.

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 40s41 seconds ago
Ellenton says he took steps have a cadaver dog come to the woods outside Danvers High.

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 38s39 seconds ago
Direct examination of Ellenton is complete. Defense attorney John Osler readies to cross examine him.

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 1m1 minute ago
Osler shoes him pic of purple bag, cleats and womens shoes found in woods

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 1m1 minute ago
Defense attorney Denise Regan is seated next to #PhilipChism while John Osler cross examines Ellenton.

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis 2m2 minutes ago
Defense isn't contesting that #PhilipChism killed Colleen Ritzer. Questions aimed at idea that he wasnt acting rationally at time.

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 2m2 minutes ago
Right sneaker had a lot of blood in toe area but no blood in area around it Ellenton says on Osler cross

Laurel J. SweetVerified account ‏@Laurel_Sweet 2m2 minutes ago
Defense attorney John Osler is up on cross and continues his line of questioning from yesterday about the extent of blood loss

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 56s56 seconds ago
Osler shows Ellenton a picture of the bloody jeans and again asks whether there was any blood around the clothing. He says no.

Rupa Shenoy ‏@RupaShenoy 1m1 minute ago Salem, MA
All of #PhilipChism defense attorney's questions seem aimed at pointing out blood was only on items, not on the ground in the woods.

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis 2m2 minutes ago
Osler has photo of inside of bin. Jurors about to see it

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis 1m1 minute ago
We won't see it - the photo will be passed around the jury box.

Defense is not putting their pictures up on the big screen, giving printed copy to pass around the jury box. Maybe not to upset Chism who is sitting right next to the large video screen?

 

[jacct]

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis 1m1 minute ago
Osler: interior of bin "not covered in blood." "It appears to be covered in blood to me," Ellenton responds.

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 2m2 minutes ago
Osler done cross of Ellenton. Next up Danvers Acting Police Chief Pat Ambrose. He was a capt at time of murder

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 35s35 seconds ago
Ambrose while rank of captain then, was acting chief the night of murder. Old chief was away

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 1m1 minute ago
He went to DHS around 1045 pm. Other officers already there. Ambrose details where they were

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis 28s28 seconds ago
The school resource officer was looking at video from the school's new surveillance system. It wasn't working properly

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 47s47 seconds ago
Ambrose is looking right at jurors as his testifies. Voice is loud and confident

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 59s59 seconds ago
Ambrose says Officer Stephanie Wennerberg showed him the black bag found in the woods. Bag belonged to Colleen Ritzer

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 1m1 minute ago
After clothing etc found in woods, Ambrose called detective division and other officer on shift. More cops later called in

allison manningVerified account ‏@allymanning 1m1 minute ago
Finally, video pulled up. Chief saw Ritzer going into bathroom, and Chism following her in. Now, state police were called in.

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 2m2 minutes ago
Later, Ambrose notified Chism found alive in Topsfield and Ritzer found dead in woods. He had to tell Ritzer parents of death

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 42s43 seconds ago
Ambrose's testimony is done. Defense declines to cross examine him.

 

[jacct]

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis 2m2 minutes ago
Officer Steve Baldessare is on the stand now. He was the school resource officer and a former detective.

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 2m2 minutes ago
Baldassare talking about job as juvenile officer in Danvers

allison manningVerified account ‏@allymanning 46s47 seconds ago
Video surveillance system was new, after the 2013 remodel of the high school. 140 motion detected cameras inside the school.

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 36s36 seconds ago
Corridors, lobbies, gym, field houses, parking lots have cameras trained on them

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis 33s33 seconds ago
"They were not numbered in any way that would make sense to anyone using them," officer says.

allison manningVerified account ‏@allymanning 55s55 seconds ago
All of the video footage from the day of the murder was downloaded and provided to DA's office.


allison manningVerified account ‏@allymanning 2m2 minutes ago
There's going to be some kind of animation shown. We have a model of Danvers HS on the screen now.

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 2m2 minutes ago
Officer is using a laser pointer to show different areas of DHS

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 1m1 minute ago
#PhilipChism appears to looking at the schematic map of DHS on projector. He usually looks straight ahead when exhibits are displayed

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 1m1 minute ago
Courtroom is again packed today with media and family members. Chairs placed in centre aisle to handle media overflow

Laurel J. SweetVerified account ‏@Laurel_Sweet 2m2 minutes ago
The woods where #PhilipChism admits burying Ritzer are known in town as The Orchards and are used by the DHS cross country teams.

 

[jacct]

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 34s34 seconds ago
Recycling bins were kept on first floor by stairwell one he says

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 1m1 minute ago
day of murder Baldassare was off, other 2 juvenile officers would fill in

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis 2m2 minutes ago
Baldessare had the day off on Oct. 22. He was called in after #PhilipChism was reported missing.

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 52s53 seconds ago
Baldassare says he arrived at DHS on Oct. 22, 2013 after 9 p.m

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis 53s54 seconds ago
At the school, principal told him about the missing teacher.

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis 51s52 seconds ago
He was given photos of both #PhilipChism and Colleen Ritzer.

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 1m1 minute ago
He went to video surveillance system to try to find any info he could

allison manningVerified account ‏@allymanning 2m2 minutes ago
Baldassare had a very old computer & a new video system. Led to lots of crashes. Had to use map to know which camera was which.

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 1m1 minute ago
Evevtually he was called out to student/teacher parking lot. Another officer was holding Ritzer's bag

Baldassare went back to checking the video after officers were dispatched to the woods. Went through matching up cameras, locations, and times to try to find if Chism or Ritzer on the video.

Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis 1m1 minute ago
The prosecutor hands up a video of the school.

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 1m1 minute ago
Arrows were placed in the videos to show #PhilipChism movements in the school

 

[Skigirl]

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.

 

[jacct]

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 3m3 minutes ago
Video shows Ritzer walking out of classroom, she smiles and waves at someone. #PhilipChism comes out right behind her

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 3m3 minutes ago
#PhilipChism is then seen exiting Ritzer's classroom; he returns to the doorway and then goes back into the hallway. He pulls up his hood.

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 3m3 minutes ago
Next video shoes Colleen Ritzer headed toward bathroom. #PhilipChism follows with his hood up. Looks to be putting on gloves.

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 3m3 minutes ago
Next video was recorded 11 minutes later. A student enters and exits the bathroom.

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 3m3 minutes ago
Next video shows #PhilipChism walking down hallway holding something.

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 3m3 minutes ago
Next clip shows #PhilipChism walking down a stairwell. He has his hood up.

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 3m3 minutes ago
#PhilipChism then goes down stairway from floor 2 to 1. It's 308 pm. Chism mom has her head down in court, is being comforted by another

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 3m3 minutes ago
#PhilipChism's right hand is completely red in video of him walking through hallway.

Rupa Shenoy ‏@RupaShenoy 3m3 minutes ago Salem, MA
In court, it appears #PhilipChism is watching the video overhead of his actions after Ritzer's death.

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 3m3 minutes ago
Another video pics up #PhilipChism in school parking lot

 

[jacct]

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 3m3 minutes ago
Baldassare says he spent 4 days pulling video of #PhilipChism and Colleen Ritzer on Oct. 22, 2013.

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 3m3 minutes ago
Direct examination of Baldassare is over. Denise Regan is now conductin her cross examination.

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 3m3 minutes ago
Regan asking him about how the video cameras work

Rupa Shenoy ‏@RupaShenoy 1m1 minute ago Salem, MA
#PhilipChism atty Regan asks if the school principal would be able to access cameras from her computer, Baldassare says yes.


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

 

[Skigirl]

The video just is so damning. I don't see how the jury could find anything other than Murder 1.

 

[jacct]

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 2m2 minutes ago
Regan asking questions about who he notified and spoke to regarding missing Chism/Ritzer

Julie Manganis ‏@SNJulieManganis 34s34 seconds ago
Defense makes the point that Baldessare didn't know #PhilipChism

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 3m3 minutes ago
Regan now asking about recycling bin found in the brush by Ellenton

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 3m3 minutes ago
Baldassare says he followed behind Ellenton and Capt Ambrose into the woods for search

Jill Harmacinski ‏@EagleTribJill 3m3 minutes ago
Sidebar now

Laura Crimaldi ‏@lauracrimaldi 2m2 minutes ago
Defense asks Judge Lowy if morning recess can be taken. Court will tentatively resume around 12:15 p.m.

 

[drjones]

The video just is so damning. I don't see how the jury could find anything other than Murder 1.

i have no idea why the defense is asking any of these questions, they already admit that he killed her

 

[drjones]

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.

yeah that was really disturbing, i believe you can see his hands covered in blood as he goes to the stairs

 

[jacct]

The video just is so damning. I don't see how the jury could find anything other than Murder 1.

I agree, they were chilling. He was so calm. When he first came into the hall he backed up, pulled up his hoodie, then came back out and down the hall. Put on gloves on the way into the bathroom. Then looks calm coming out and going down the stairs. I don't know how the defense will get past these. That must be why Regan was asking such random questions on cross exam, trying to get the jury focused on something else.

 

[AnaTeresa]

The video just is so damning. I don't see how the jury could find anything other than Murder 1.

I agree. the putting on gloves, especially.

 

[drjones]

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)

 

[Skigirl]

That kid is a sexual deviant who gets off on murder. Thank god he was caught the first time. I have no doubt there would have been others. I usually see the world in shades of gray, but not this time. Throw away the key!