This latest
indictment against Philip Chism, 15, comes on top of his previous counts
of murder, aggravated rape and armed robbery in the death of his
24-year-old math teacher, Colleen Ritzer of Danvers, in October.
Paul Bilodeau/AP Phillip Chism is led into a Salem, Mass., courtroom in December where
he was charged in the murder of 24-year-old Danvers High School teacher
Colleen Ritzer in October.
The Massachusetts teen accused of raping and murdering his high school
teacher has been hit with a second aggravated rape charge.
An Essex County grand jury announced the second charge Friday against 15-year-old Philip Chism in the murder of his 24-year-old math teacher, Colleen Ritzer of Danvers, in October.
Chism had been previously charged with murder, aggravated rape and armed robbery. He's pleaded not guilty to al those charges.
RELATED: PHILIP CHISM PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO KILLING MASS. HIGH SCHOOL MATH TEACHER COLLEEN RITZER
Friday's indictment alleges that the defendant forcibly had sexual
intercourse with the victim, according to the Essex District Attorney's
Office.
Uncredited/AP
The body of Danvers High School teacher Colleen Ritzer was found behind the school on Oct. 22.
Although he was arraigned as a youthful offender on aggravated rape and
armed robbery, he's being charged as an adult on the murder rap.
Because of those separate distinctions he'll be charged in a juvenile court but eligible for an adult sentence if convicted, according to the Boston Herald.
RELATED: CHILLING NOTE FOUND NEAR BODY OF MURDERED TEACHER
Prosecutors obtained a search warrant for the teen's phone on Friday.
They believe the phone, which was thrown away by Chism, may contain
evidence he meant to keep hidden after carrying out his sick act.
CNN
Chism has pleaded not guilty to his charges. He's being held without bail.
Chism allegedly claimed to have thrown the phone away strictly so that he couldn't be tracked by its GPS feature.
RELATED: TEEN RAPED MASS. MATH TEACHER BEFORE KILLING HER: PROSECUTORS
Prosecutors instead argued that the phone's GPS feature could have been
deactivated by Chism by removing the battery or changing the phone's
settings.
Ritzer's body was recovered in the woods behind Danvers High School.
Chism is being held without bail.
