Prosecution Rests in Chism Trial

Philip Chism, 16, who moved to Massachusetts from Tennessee shortly before starting high school, has pleaded not guilty to murder and other charges

Prosecutors rested their case Monday in the trial of a Danvers, Massachusetts, teenager accused of raping and killing his math teacher.

Philip Chism, 16, who moved to Massachusetts from Tennessee shortly before starting high school, has pleaded not guilty to murder and other charges in the October 2013 slaying of Colleen Ritzer. Chism was 14 at the time but is being tried as an adult.

Prosecutors said Chism followed Ritzer into the bathroom before allegedly slitting her throat, raping and stabbing her to death.

Chism's attorney has said his client killed Ritzer but isn't criminally responsible because he is mentally ill.

The jury is scheduled to return to court on Tuesday morning to begin hearing defense testimony.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us