Advertisement

Teen pleads not guilty to rape, murder of teacher

SALEM, Mass., Dec. 4 (UPI) -- A 14-year-old accused of raping and killing his high school math teacher in Danvers, Mass., had not guilty pleas entered for him in court Wednesday.

Philip Chism is accused in the Oct. 22 slaying of his Danvers High School teacher, Colleen Ritzer, 24, whose body was found in woods near the school with her throat cut and a note reading, "I hate you all," the Boston Herald reported.

Advertisement

Chism faces murder, aggravated rape and aggravated robbery charges. He was held without bail after the hearing.

It was not decided in the Salem court Wednesday if the two lesser charges, both considered juvenile cases, will be bundled with the murder charge, which is being tried in an adult court, the newspaper said.

Latest Headlines