Surveillance Footage Shows Philip Chism Following Colleen Ritzer
SALEM (CBS/AP) -- Surveillance video from inside Danvers High School shows Philip Chism following Colleen Ritzer before he allegedly killed the math teacher inside a women's restroom.
Chism, 16, is charged with raping and murdering Ritzer in 2013.
The video shown in Salem Superior Court at his trial on Wednesday shows Chism, then 14 years old, following her to the restroom and pacing back and forth outside the door. He later emerges with the hood of his sweatshirt still covering his head.
Jurors first saw the large recycling barrel allegedly used by Chism to move Ritzer's body to the woods. They were then shown photos of bloody women's clothing found in the woods behind the school on the day Ritzer was murdered.
Earlier in the day, Chism's lawyer said the 16-year-old would waive his right to appear at his murder trial, before the accused teenager changed his mind and told a judge he wants to be present for proceedings.
Wednesday's developments came one day after Chism refused to re-enter the courtroom, telling a court officer that he "can't take this anymore."
Chism's lawyers say he is mentally ill. The judge dismissed the jury early after Chism would not leave his holding cell.
"He's about to explode," Chism's attorney told the court.
Chism has already undergone a mental evaluation which had delayed the jury selection process. He was found competent to stand trial.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Kim Tunnicliffe reports:
(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
