Crime

Teen charged with killing teacher wants trial moved

/ AP

SALEM, Mass. - Lawyers for a Massachusetts teenager charged with killing his high school math teacher have asked a judge to move his trial, saying it will be difficult to pick an impartial jury given the publicity the case has received.

A lawyer for 16-year-old Philip Chism said in court Tuesday that media coverage of the case has been "pervasive," ''sensational" and "inflammatory." The defense suggests moving the trial from eastern Massachusetts to western Massachusetts.

Chism attended the hearing but did not speak. He has pleaded not guilty to killing Danvers High School teacher Colleen Ritzer in October 2013, when he was 14. His trial is scheduled to start in October.

Prosecutors oppose moving the trial. The judge did not immediately rule but indicated he may announce a decision later this week.

First published on July 1, 2015 / 12:43 PM EDT

AP

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