Jurors shown chilling video in teacher murder trial
SALEM, Mass. -- Surveillance video from inside a Massachusetts high school shows a student following a math teacher before he allegedly killed her inside a women's restroom, CBS Boston reports.
Philip Chism, 16, is charged with raping and murdering Colleen Ritzer in 2013. He was 14 at the time.
The video, shown in Essex Superior Court in Salem on Wednesday, shows Chism following Ritzer 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 also 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 the 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 health evaluation, which had delayed the jury selection process. He was found competent to stand trial.