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Teen Accused in Teacher's Murder Charged in Another Attack

Philip Chism, 15, was charged in an attack on a female employee at a juvenile detention center, where he was being held after his teacher's murder.
Image: Philip Chism
Philip Chism, 15, from Danvers, Mass., and his attorney Denise Regan look toward the bench in a courtroom at his arraignment in January. Chism has been accused and charged with raping and killing his Danvers High School math teacher, Colleen Ritzer, in October.AP

A Massachusetts teen accused of raping and murdering his teacher last year was indicted Wednesday on new charges in a different assault.

A grand jury indicted Philip Chism, 15, with charges of attempted murder by strangulation, assault with intent to murder, kidnapping and two counts of assault and battery, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office said.

In the new incident, Chism is accused of following a 29-year-old female employee at a juvenile detention center into a bathroom and attacking her on June 2. Other employees heard the woman’s screams and stopped the attack. Chism last year pleaded not guilty to charges he raped his math teacher, Colleen Ritzer, and then slit her throat in a bathroom at Danvers High School. He is charged with murder, aggravated rape and armed robbery in that case.

Image: Philip Chism
Philip Chism, 15, from Danvers, Mass., and his attorney Denise Regan look toward the bench in a courtroom at his arraignment in January. Chism has been accused and charged with raping and killing his Danvers High School math teacher, Colleen Ritzer, in October.AP

IN-DEPTH

— Phil Helsel