Transcripts For WFXT FOX 25 News At 5 20151215

Heres a taste of that. The defendant, guilty or not what . On what nearry . Near theory. So the reporter so that was repeated over and over again. Each member of the jury, all 12 much emthem, eight men, four women, had to stand up in court to say, guilty, first degree murder. The jury could have found him guilty of Second Degree murder. But it did not. It went first degree murder. Its a life sentence. On the over charges, a bit of a split have you had here. Not guilty on the aggravated rape in the woods but guilt on the aggravated rape in the bathroom. Guilty of Armed Robbery of Colleen Ritzers underwear. Why they split this up, but the bottom line here is that this jury, the Phillip Chism jury, rejected the insanity defense, finding Phillip Chism, who was only 14 years old at the time of this crime, guilty, first degree murder, for the death of Colleen Ritzer. When we talked earlier, you mentioned that the Surveillance Video was the key piece of evidence in this case. Break that down again for us. The reporter right. That Surveillance Video, that Surveillance Video system at Danvers High School had just been installed, the school was just opened, and that Surveillance Video showings Colleen Ritzer, Phillip Chism in the moments before the attack in the bathroom and Phillip Chisms actions, a good hour after the bathroom, watch the attack after the attack in the bathroom, leaving the bathroom, running in other other people, he had blood on his hand and clothes at one point. Retrieving the recycling bin from the first floor, wheeling going back in to that bathroom. Coming back out a couple of minutes later with a mask on, leaving the school, going outside, outside of Danvers High School, pulling that recycling bin. Colleen ritzers body inside the recycling bin and we last see him with the recycling bin going into the woods, but its not the last time we see Phillip Chism. He is picked up on surveillance again, coming in to Danvers High School, change of clothes, going back into the bathroom, going to his locker. It is chilling video to watch, because what youre seeing is a first degree murder taking place. Youre watching a killer stalking his victim, and then disposing of the body. All of it caught on void. And the importance is, that the defense is trying to mount an insanity defense, trying to say that he had disorganized thinking, that he was in the middle of a psychotic episode. But what the prosecutor was able to point out that the video shows, that Phillip Chism he followed Colleen Ritzer, put on gloves before he went into the bathroom and then it showed all the other Video Evidence afterwards. The just a few believed what the prosecution said, what you see in that video is not disorganized thinking, but premeditated murder. Key piece of evidence. Vanessa bob, thank you so much. We will get more reaction from you coming up tonight at 6 00 p. M. And we want to continue our coverage now with malini basu. Mark malini, i was following along on your twitter feed. I understand rode in the elevate with Phillip Chisms mother read. The reporter thats right. We rode down the elevator together. I was also in the elevator, she did not want anything to do with any of us. She walked in, had her head down, we rode the elevator down. When we talked down stairs, she realized that yes, reporters were going to ask her questions, as we walked down side and walked side by side with each over and diane chism, phillip why im talking next to here, i dont want to sa w anything right now and walked right outside. This was five or ten minutes after the verdict was read. We all got in the elevator together. The state Police Detectives and the local detectives were discussing what happened, and thats when everyone just kind of looked up and they were all shocked, because she actually got on the elevator and there were supporters with her as well, three or four of her friends with her hand they decided not to get on that elevator and waited for the next elevator, so diane chism, when she rode down the elevator, saw her friends and immediately put their arms around her and walked right out. Were trying to get some sound with her to Say Something and she didnt want to say anything. She had nothing to say, she alone. But with we were talking down stairs, she basically said, i dont want to say anything. Why am i walking next to her, so of course outside, we tried to talk to her, i tried to get in front of her hand she didnt want to say anything to us. Ill send things back to you guys. Vanessa malini, thank you. The chism case dates back to october of 2013. In a timeline, detailed by prosecutors, chism met with Colleen Ritzer after school ended for the day, on october 22. He then followed her to the bathroom, where Colleen Ritzer was murdered. Weve seen that video. Now, chism was reported missing by his mother, that staple night. Then a short time late of, Colleen Ritzer was reported missing. Vanessa chism was tracked down by police around 12 30 a. M. The following day. Colleen ritzers body was found several hours later after chism was questioned by officers. And proving insanity has proven difficult in massachusetts. Other teen killers have been found guilty after arguing they were insane at the time of the killings they committed. Mark nate of whalen killed his girlfriend in 2011. He claimed mental illness, and jurors did not buy it as well vanessa a special needs student it was argued was inassault and battery when he killed vanessa lets bring in our legal analyst, brad bailey. Mark weve been talking about the insanity defense. How hard is it to prove Something Like that, brad . The reporter its extremely difficult, blair, even though massachusetts is one of the more favorable states given both the fact that the burden, once its put in play, is on the commonwealth to prove that somebody was sane, and given that we have a little bit of a more expansive definition of insanity in massachusetts, which we call lack of criminal responsibility, but its still incredibly difficult and there are a number of factors. Number one is, the cases where the insanity defenses are raised are often very gruesome, very horrific fact patterns, that it is extremely difficult for a jury to want to give somebody consider a break, or to think that somebody might have the possibility of sort of fooling doctors and getting let out, even though tears a long process and protocol that is involved, if somebody is found not criminally responsible. You also have these battles of experts, in insanity cases that often just come out to be a wash at the end of the day. The defense says one thing, the prosecutions expertization something else. But at the end, its really almost always up to the jury to determine, and thats why evidence such as these surveillance tapes is was so important in this particular case, and so powerful, but more than anything, for the most part, when you put on an insanity defense, you are not contesting the actual act itself, that your client did that. Youre saying my client did do that brings you a lot closer to a guilty verdict right out of the box, and its very difficult sometimes for a jury, once theyve gotten their head around accepting that this person did that, to come back with anything other than a guilty verdict. It has happened. Weve had it in several cases, there was a 2009 case, blair in massachusetts, where a woman was accused of killing both of her children, she was found lying next to one of them, who was already in a state of initial decomposition, those facts would determine to clearly suggest mind. There was another case in 2013 of a woman who action asphyxiated her child with a charcoal grill and tried to kill herself and i they find a mother killing a child, can somehow get a preliminary better sense of it, but its very difficult and some of those cases. I dont mean to interrupt, but quickly, were you surprised about the not guilty verdict on the one aggravated rape charge. The reporter no, blair, and i dont think that that indicates a split verdict. I think its a straight analysis of the evidence and the jury found that ms. Ritzer was likely deceased, and there had been an un there had been a break in the chain, it wasnt a consecutive continuous act, that at the time that that was committed, so i think that was just a straight analysis of the evidence. Vanessa legal analyst brad bailey, thank you so much for your insight. The family of Colleen Ritzer recently updated her pro file on a facebook page. Vanessa it is a christmas ornament, a theory that she lived with, every day may not be good but there is something good ritzer is survived by her parents, peggy and tom and her younger brother and sister, dan and laura. Established in her name. If you would like to learn more myfoxboston. Com. It was established to benefit andover and Danvers High School students and demonstrate a passion for teaching, academics, and a love of their families. We dont know if we will hear from the jury here tonight, but keep it here this evening for continuing coverage on the verdict. Colleen ritzers family and the d. A. Are all expected to speak at 5 30 p. M. Tonight. We will bring it to you live when it happens. Vanessa developing now, the conductor that was supposed to be on board a run away redline train has been suspended. A lawyer for David Vasquez tells fox 25 that his client attended a disciplinary hearing today. Yesterday, he missed a hearing, due to a stress related illness. He is believed to have violated several safety rules before the train he was supposed to be driving took off without him on thursday. That train barreled through four stops before transit workers could stop it. Full report coming up at 5 30 p. M. Kevin a mild and blustery day out there. The cold air on the way and when well actually see snore flurries flying in southern new england. A mother and her baby rushed to the hospital, when a wall crashes down on top of them. Coming up tonight, hear from the people who ok, were here. Heres dad. Mom. The twins. Aunt alice. You didnt tell me aunt alice was coming. Of course. Dont forget grandpa. Can the test drive be over now . Maybe just head back to the dealership . Dont you want to meet my family . Yep, totally. Its practically yours, but we still need your signature. The volkswagen sign then drive event. R zero due at signing, p p zero down, zero deposit, r and zero first r r months payment ttt on a new jetta p automated voice to file a claim, please state your name. Carnie wilson. Thank you. Can you hold on . Hold on for one more day really . Hey, i know theres pain. Why do you lock yourself up in these chains . This would be so easy if you had progressive. Our mobile app would let you file a claim and help you find one of our Service Centers where we manage the entire repair process. Things will go your way if you hold on. [ sighs ] someday somebodys gonna make you wanna turn around and say goodbye. No, you just made it weird. Vanessa if i are just joining us now, we are following breaking news. Phillip chism found gentlelady ritzer. Colleen ritzers family and the District Attorney are expected to speak at 5 30 p. M. And we will bring that to you live. School is out in los angeles tonight after threats shut down the countrys second Largest School district. Developing all day long. Tonight. L. A. Closed all city schools threat. Tonight, weve learned a ranking lawmaker on the House Committee says that threat is believed to be a hoax. Meantime, weve also learned that new york schools received a similar threat, but downplayed the seriousness of that. The reporter please be advised that all schools will be closed for students today. The reporter the second Largest School district in the nation, closed all of its more than 900 schools and told its 640,000 students to stay home tuesday, after receiving an emailed threat from overseas. Thank you for meeting with me. The reporter Los Angeles Ramon cortinas said recent security concerns and heightened security prompted the move. I think what happened in the nation, i think what happened internationally, i, as superintendent, am not going to take the chance with the life of a student. Meanwhile, new york authorities said, they received a similar threat, but said it was important not to overreact. The email that was received in new york city, which is similar and almost exactly the same as received in other locales, specifically los angeles, that we do not see that as a credible terrorist threat. And we are investigating it as a hoax. The reporter while action knowledging a hoax was possible, l. A. Police chief charlie beck says the threat was very specific, and warned against being too critical. Southern california has been through a lot. In the recent weeks. Children threw the same. Vanessa now at 5 00 p. M. , city inspectors are investigating after a wall suddenly collapses in maldin, crashing down on top of five people, including a mom and her baby. That 30foot section fell this tonight, we are hearing from the people who raced to help free the people pinned underneath. Fox 25s Kerry Kavanaugh joins us in maldin with their story. Maldin police say fortunately, the five people, including a baby, pinned underneath, none of them suffered any serious injury. The wind was definitely blowing when the wall fell on the sidewalk behind me, but as soon as it did, city inspectors came out and made sure, as you can see, that the rest of it was cleared up. We want to show you Surveillance Video from a local shop of that wall, coming down on several people, including a baby if a stroller. The owner of the shop, fall frazier says, he and his employees heard the crash first. They thought it was a car accident, when they looked out side, they saw the wall downnd the video shows frasier and several others racing to rescue him. We were just trying to get limb out there. The baby was crying the whole time, i think probably a little bit in shock. The reporter so maldin building inspectors dismantled what what is left it, cleaned up the mess, but this remains under investigation, to see if anyone was in fact at fault, other than just weather conditions. Tonight at 6 00 p. M. , were going to speak with police about what they think the one thing that really spared this child in particular, from a serious injury. For now live in maldin, Kerry Kavanaugh, fox 25 news. Kevin some heavy rain to start the day and there was some strong winds throughout the day today, but not a a lot of damage being reported. A couple of trees reported down in rutland and cambridge today. Its Northern New England thats had most of the activity. Danforth, maine, eight inches of snow. If youre wondering where the flakes have been flying, its central to northern maine so far england, sprinkles and flurries out here, mostly sprinkles, but a change in color in the berkshires hand in portions of southwestern vermont, near bennington, so might be a flurry or two out that way, as cooler air is rushing in to new england. So a couple of clouds overnight tonight, but partly cloudy sky in general and when you wake up, youll have plenty of sunshine for you tomorrow. You can see that here. Futurecast taking you up to 6 15 p. M. , with no more precipitation in southern new england overnight. As of 5 00 p. M. , top of this hour, the National Weather service dropped the advisory. They backed it up from 6 00 p. M. To 5 00 p. M. And at 5 00 p. M. Expired it. Wind gusts over 30 Miles Per Hour, like in worcester, for instance at 31, but nothing expecting to be damaging. Tonight with clouds around, temperatures will be dropping down into the upper 30s for you in ipswich on the north shore. Timeline, hour by however for boston, showed you hour by hours, shows yours temperatures dropping overnight. 41 in the morning. Worcester again, clouds around, clear skies when you wake up. 36 degrees first thing in the morning. It will be sunny, real nice looking day and even the clouds that are there are going to starting to go away during the afternoon to the north. A few more popping up in southern new england, but not consequential. It is an almost totally sunny day in southern new england. A few clouds around and not a concern. High temperatures tomorrow, will be cooler than today. Were still in the 50s today for highs. Tomorrow, well be in the 40s, wont be as much wind, so may feel about the same. Quincy, 44. Cambridge 45 tomorrow afternoon. To the north and west of boston, here in middlesex county, 46 lowell. Essex county, 43 ipswich. Nashua, 46 degrees and to the west in worcester county, 43 in rutland and in worcester. 43 northboro and 45 for you in air for High Temperatures. Futurecast through thursday now. Some clouds starting to show up hand they really start to thicken up during the Morning Hours thursday. First sprinkles through lunchtime and heavier rain poised to move in during the evening hours thursday, and we certainly have that in our forecast. The wind through the evening, but the fog and rain is gone for now. That rain comes back on thursday, youre going to see that in the sevenday forecast, so it takes you through the sunshine of tomorrow and into the rain expected thursday, late in the day, and into the evening. Now by friday, a mixture of clouds and sun, temperatures like today, will be on the mild side to start and fall during the afternoon. Cold air roaring in this weekend, always in view, showing you a big change in the weather coming, it will be windy both days, but coldest on saturday. Only 36 degrees for a High Temperature on average. Generally between 33 and england. It will come with snow flurries or even more substantial snow showers, if you can stand it. Still chilly on sunday with the wind, but temperatures will rebound back into the 40s. Ill keep tracking the winds out there right now where theyre strongest and well be back with come in jus a woman is it in the hospital tonight after she was hit by a car in watertown. Sky fox over the scoon today on mount oliver street near adams street. You can see police, fire and umass crews all out there. The woman was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries. We are still waiting to learn exactly how this happened. And police 234 police in manchester, New Hampshire, looking for suspects in two robberies. Police say a clerk at shawns Corner Market was Ronald Mcdonald at knife point. Police are trying to figure out if the robberies are connected or not. The owners of a popular north shore restaurants are accused of skimming millions of dollars from the i. R. S. Vanessa the owners of nicks famous roast beef have been charged with tax fraud. The wife and son of one owner have also been indicted. They hid nearly 6 million in income by stealing receipts from the store and creating fake ones for the i. R. S. Audit. Police are warning of a scam using Text Messages to try to steal your information. Bourne police say you would receive a message reading, free texts from a bank, asking to verify a transaction. The text then requires Additional Information or will its. Police say if you get a text message about fraud, call your bank directly to see if its legitimate. Mark boston is one step closer to reversion the byob ban in some parts of the city. City council will vote on the ordinance tomorrow. It would allow patrons to bring wine or beer to small suburbs. If the ordinance passes, it will go to mayor marty walsh for approval. The boston globe is reporting the mbta fiscal control board has asked staff to begin the process of can segar the late night service. Fox 25 has been reporting for months now, the board has been considering to cut the service, they say it costs too much and doesnt leave enough time to maintain the ts aging trains and buses. Vanessa an Underperforming School in dorchester could soon shut its doors. Sky fox was above the Dorchester Collegiate Academy Charter School today. The department of education is considering a recommendation to close this school. The school was placed on probation nearly two years ago for its poor standardized testing scores and financial difficulties. Officials say the school was the lowest performing of the 25 Charter Schools in boston. 9 school is vowing to fight the closure. Just after 4 00 p. M. , a jury guilty inz` jpjpjpi e,t oh no. under his breath hey peter. unenthusiastic oh. Ha ha ha joanne . Is that you . Its me. Jingle jingle. If youre peter pan, you stay young forever. Its what you do. If you want to save fifteen percent or more on car insurance, you switch to geico. You make me feel so young. Its what you do. You make me feel Phillip Chism, found guilty in the murder and rape of his Danvers High School teacher, Colleen Ritzer. The jury reaching that verdict within the last 90 minutes. You watched it as it was read live right here on fox 25. Vanessa the teen was found guilty on three of the four counts. Guilty of first degree murder. He was found guilty on one of the aggravated rape charges. Mark that rape that happened in the bathroom of that high guilty on the rape charge in the woods and the 16yearold was mrs. Found guilty on Armed Robbery. Malini basu is live outside the court right now where a News Conference is expected in the next few minutes, right, malini. The reporter thats right, blair. But first, we actually came down stairs on the elevator with verdict was read around 4 30 p. M. , or 4 45 p. M. , and there were quite a few people in the elevator, me as well as state Police Detectives and local detectives and we were us a just talking about what happened today, obviously, and thats when Phillip Chisms mother walked in and we all stood there and we were stunned. Everyone just kept quiet while we went from the fifth floor down to the first floor and we were panel to walk side by side with Phillip Chisms mother and she of course, had nothing to say but the one thing she did say is i dont want to be walking next to her, talking about jpa[y me, because she obviously knew once we got outside i wanted to ask her some questions. You should be seeing video of us outside trying to talk to her. I wanted to ask her, what happened, what do you think snapped, what happened with your son, was it the move from tennessee to danvers, but she would not answer any of our questions or ask anything. She had supporters by her side, three or four of them, holding her shoulder hand walking down the street as quickly has they could, because they wanted us. Massachusetts, malini basu, fox 25 news. Vanessa a live look now from the essex point d. A. s office, where d. A. Jonathan blodgett is expected to speak at any moment. Haifa long with i am had, we expect the family of commonly to speak as well for the very first time. As soon as that happens, well bring it to you live. We do have our reporters working on more reaction to the guilty verdict, of Phillip Chism. Much more is ahead, coming up in a live report for you at 6 00 p. M. Outside, a stormy start to the day, turned into a windy afternoon in boston and all across the state. Check out this view. Downtown, fox 25 Storm Tracker chief meteorologist Kevin Lemanowicz joins us now and i understand that wind advisory expired. Expired at 5 00 p. M. , where done with the wind advisory, but there are gusts out there over 30 Miles Per Hour. Wont see any gusts up to 50 Miles Per Hour. There are a couple of sprinkles out there, but in western massachusetts, here in the berkshires, even a little color change in here, shower chances not shocking to see a flurry or two because of some chillier air moving on in. Dave, at least northern maine. There are going to be a few clouds floating pinkerton tonight and first thing in the morning, but with you wake up, expecting to be and you full sunshine in southern new england. Worcester at 31, norwood, 30 Miles Per Hour in the last hour and boston to 26 Miles Per Hour. Certainly adds a chill to the air as of the temperatures are coming down this evening. It is still 53 in boston right now though, so its still plenty mild out there. No question about that. Its still going to be dropping tonight, right through the 40s and eventually into the upper 30s in the suburbs of boston. 41 downtown. Out here in worcester, down to 48 degrees. We know that, it feels like 40 with the wind gusting up to 24, 25 Miles Per Hour and dropping to 36 overnight under clearing skies. So a bit of a windchill to talk about and more rain on the way, a timeline on when to expect that. Vanessa a grand jury will now hear the case of three people accused in the Drug Overdose death of a rochester, New Hampshire teen. The girls mother, jasmine rude and her boyfriend, mark ross had already been charged in this case. On monday, a judge reportedly ruled there was probably cause. Rather, to charge 31yearold woman of salisbury as well. 17yearold eve tarmi died on october 17th at a Rochester Motel of a at the time nolan ryan of a fentanyl intoxication. 75yearold john monroe was aracied in full river in september on several charges connected to the alleged rape of a girl under the age of 10. Monroe was supposed to wear a g. P. S. Bracelet, but he removed it in october. His car was found in hall. If you happen to know where monroe is, Contact State Police right away. Vanessa a mother and her teenage son arraigned today, accused of attacking their neighbor as at the looked at a christmas tree. Jim surface was admiring his veteran themed tree on sunday when his upstairs neighbor suddenly attacked him. He says the teen came at him with a pair of scissors. He had opened the scissors, which caused me to have have deep cuts on three of my fingers. Vanessa there had been an on going dispute including cleaning up after a dog and violating a protection order involving his neighbors. Mark now back to the continue coverage of the Phillip Chism murder trial. We understand the Live Press Conference with the District Attorney and the victims family is beginning. We want to go ahead and listen in. Kate mcdougal is one of the best trial attorneys in massachusetts. Without question, melissa woodard, who assisted her, is a viv, very dedicated and competent attorney as well. David hoe sullivan, who cant be here right now, my appeals unit, was doing extraordinary work, as well as balancing parole hearings and appeals, court appearances, the three of them put in countless hours. You dont see this in trial. What you see, what you see when you cover a trial, is their work product, but you have dont see the countless hours of im talking about monday holiday, saturdays, weekends, in which i saw them diligently preparing for this work. Superior Court Assistant District Attorney was the victim witness advocate, my director, who was assigned to the ritzers and she gave everything she had to provide comfort and assistance to them. The professional Law Enforcement personnel, who were involved in this, the Topsfield Police department, the Danvers Police department, the massachusetts state police, including the Crime Services unit, the crime lab, the k9 unit, the air wing, all were dedicated and professional in helping us in our preparation for this matter in this case. There are a few people that i want to just briefly sending he will out and i have to do single out and i have to briefly do that. John campbell from the sheriffs department, helped provide worked diligently. Sergeant phil tanze, one of the first people on the scene that day. Chief pat ambrose, chief of police in danvers. The Danvers Police, as well as the other aforesaid police didnt gave us all the cooperation and assistance we needed. I also want to point out that Court Officer paul gata postponed his retirement at the request of the judge, so that he could make sure that the court was orderly and the process worked the way it should. I want to thank paul and wish him a great retirement when he finally leaves us. Judge david lowie deserves special mention. He was tested time and time again. His patience was tested. And he conducted himself with the best juvenile judicial comportment, and the wave he conducted reel for the other judges in the commonwealth. He provided a fair trial for the defendant and made sure the courtroom was conducted in an orderly and professional manner, but most importantly, this moment belongs to Colleen Ritzer and her family. We cant bring her back, but we can provide some sense of justice for her family. Tom, peggy, dan and laura, her siblings, have shown incredible dignity and grace throughout this entire ordeal. No family should have to go through the horrific, horrific life that they had to go through with the murder of her daughter. And the one previous time that i mentioned, i spoke about this case publicly, in october, 2013, i said to you, that Colleen Ritzer was a beloved figure in the Davis High School community and nothing has changed. As you heard throughout the dedication to goodness, her outlook on life has already been enhanced and i want to thank the ritzers again for their courage and their dignity. There were wooburn people, we had many supporters in the courtroom, as you saw, family, friends, people from the andover and danvers educational community, but two individuals were there every single day, detective normalcy uck from the norm zuck and paul vicari, there were there each and every day to provide assistance to the ritzer family. As you saw during the course of this trial, we stand for something. We stand for justice and we stand with and for victims no matter who they are. I thank you. At this time, tom, peggy ritzer wish to make a statement. Thousands take questions. I will answer some questions to the extent that i can, but today, was a good day for the commonwealth. Thank you. Our family would like to thank the jury for their fair and careful consideration of the evidence and overwhelming facts presented during the past few weeks. We would also like to thank judge david lowie for his commitment to bringing this trial to completion. While we are pleased with the verdict, we are aware of the judicial process mr. Continue. Appeals will certainly be filed and given the states guidelines for socalled juvenile sentencing, we may be forced to once again publicly endure this pain, suffering, the parole hearings. This guilty verdict, while the beginning of justice for colleen celebration, as there can never be true justice for the crime committed. There remains a tremendous and painful absence in our lives, one that sad live, can never be replaced. Our family enters a new phase in our lives, one that we have no choice but to begin. However, we do so knowing the remarkable difference colleen made in her short lives and continues to make in the lives of so many. We have continue to witness Collin Balester cleans impact among her students and those who never had the opportunity to call her a teacher, friend, or daughter. Her spirit continues particularly to the recipients given to the scholarships, who are pursuing their dreams to teachers. We, our family and friends will continue our efforts to share colleens story and how one person can make a profound difference in the lives of so many. Her voice during the continued judicial process. Colleen never gave up, and neither will we. We will not allow Collin Balester acolleens notallow colleens death to define how she is remembered. Mark in our darkest. In our darkest hours, there have been a number of individuals, in addition to our family and friend, who provided a shoulder to cry on or devoted their professional and personal resources to ensure a just resolution to this agonizing ordeal. We want to express our gratitude to essex county District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett and his office, particularly Kate Mcdougal, melissa, David Osullivan and maureen to ensure passionate end for collin colleen. Their steadfast dedication to fairly presenting the facts of this case while demonstrating paramount respect for colleen family, despite difficult circumstances, are beyond appreciated. We also share our sincere appreciation with the Law Enforcement community, who view this as more than just a case. The massachusetts state police, Danvers Police department, essex county sheriffs and the salem superior Court Officers have demonstrated the highest levels of professionalism and sincere compassion since our unfortunate meeting two years ago. In their caring actions, especially those of lieutenant norman and trooper steven, we have witnessed the same kindness that defined colleen. One of colleens favorite quotes was there is something good in every day, to celebrate our loved for her, and in recognition of the many lives colleen touched, and continues to influence, despite the immense loss, we are forced to endure, we will carry on and do our very best to find the good from the outset, the second charge going to be the most difficult one, its the charge in which Phillip Chism was found not guilty, do you find that to be the most difficult . We looked at every charge being brought with the utmost confidence and the jury did their job and were grateful for that and we did not handicap any of the counts in that regard. We brought the case forward that we believed should be brought. Yes. In the trial,. [inaudible] the frustration among your office . Well, i cant say it any better than Kate Mcdougal said during the trial when she said that countless delays are our delays had a human cost and could be described. The jury clearly rejected the insanity defense, the defense commonwealth. Any comment on the use of that defense, and how it backfired . Not at all. The commonwealth presented its case, and the jury did its job, and we are pleased with the outcome. Can you just talk about what went through your mind, when you were working this case, when the verdict came down . Obviously felt a great sense of relief for the ritzer family, for colleen, and for all the people who every case is important to us, and ive said this when i talked to different groups, that im very proud of the people in my office, my assistant District Attorneys, who work to hard and again, every case is important to us, but i certainly felt a sense of relief and gratitude for the ritzers and for the people who outcome happen. How many high profile cases like this right now are being made through the use of cameras . If that school had not been renovated when it was and the cameras not installed we put together all the evidence that we can in a case and certainly, its not an understatement to say that the video cameras were a tremendous help for us, in terms of the timeline and making hour case, and used extremely effectively by the prosecution team. Ok, thank you very much. Thank you. The District Attorney and the parents of Colleen Ritzer, who lost their daughter in october of 2013, at the age of 24 years old, addressing the media, talking about this guilty verdict, saying today is the beginning of justice, but certainly no cause for celebration. Very powerful moment hearing vanessa the District Attorney commending his attorneys as well as the judge and jury, who spent so much time on this case. He said, today is a good day for the commonwealth. As you mentioned, blair, we heard from tom and peggy ritzer, tommy saying that they are pleased with the verdict, but they are concerned about the appeals, and the fact that they may have to go through the heartache and the process of hearing all the horrific testimony yet again. And they are also vowing to continue her legacy, to keep sharing her story. Colleen, as we mentioned several times today, had a quote of always looking for the good in everything and they are determined to move forward and determined to find the good in every day, and to keep sharing her story so that she continues to have an impact on students and on children who want to be teachers when they grow up. They set up a Memorial Scholarship fund for that. Mark she both talked about that and peggy said we will carry on and we have bob ward there, malini basu there, a lot has happened here this afternoon, as we have break down this case and what has happened in this verdict. Our reporters will be there will have update for you coming up tonight on the fox 25 news at 6 00 p. M. Kevin weather calming down, the rain is gone and the winds are dying down as well. There are gusts hot there to be sure but were not in a wind advisory situation. You can see green popping up on the doppler radar, thats some sprinkles showing up on the berkshires. Live Storm Tracker radar, there are the showers around Great Barrington and the southern berkshires, sprinkles around pittsfield, a couple flurries showing epstein spent up with the color change on radar. Westbound a flurries in berkshires. Thats t. The rest of the evening will feature a couple of clouds floating by, dry conditions and the winds, slowly diminishing through the overnight hours. Temperatures in the 50s. It was much warmer earlier this morning and temperatures have slowly been dropping through the afternoon. Its down to 48 in worcester and with the winds blowing 10 to 15, even higher in some places like can you add a chill to the air. It feels like its in the 50s in most places but worcester with the 24mileperhour wind speed, dropping it down to 40 for a feels like temperature and at times, higher gusts can make it feel colder as the gust blows on through. Norwood, 30 Miles Per Hour and boston, logan airport, gusting to 26 Miles Per Hour. So to the northwest of worcester, temperatures dropping down through the 30s this evening, despite clouds in the sky and the windy conditions and to the southeast, out on hyannis, cape cod, temperatures drop through the 40s. So 30s to 40s overnight for low temperatures. Mid 30s to low 40s generally across the area. There is colder air coming. You wake up to sunshine first thing in the morning, its going to feel like a cooler day tomorrow for sure. Temperatures only in the 40s for ice, despite all of that sunshine and a fairly clear start to tomorrow night. Heres some of the High Temperatures for you. For instance, here to the north, chelmsford, 43. Natick, 43. 42 no woburn and braintree tomorrow afternoon. Out to the westmoreland, worcester, 43. Also at 43 degrees tomorrow and then to the north shore, 41 salisbury. 41 topsfield and 42 for you in lynn and finally, out to cape cod, under a good deal of sunshine tomorrow. Im not expecting any showers. 43 barnstable. It will not rain during the day tomorrow for sure. Infarct the next rain comes thursday, these are the clouds expected to come rolling in thursday morning. A couple of sprinkles around the area. Showers become more numerous through lunchtime and the afternoon, but the heavier and steadier rain holding off until the evening hours on thursday, expecting that to rise with our next batch of rain. Youll see that in the sevenday forecast. Thursday, 80 chance of rain developing and we can take that timeline through the afternoon in not evening hours and it will come in bulk mostly during the evening hours. This takes you to 8 30 p. M. And theres the rain on some of us. Fast forward that through the night and after midnight, it comes to an end, only to dom back at us from the southwest on friday. The front is holding on to us closely and that rain looks like it will clip us as it comes on by friday in the morning and into the afternoon. Tracking tanned watching closely. No doubt, we get rain thursday the question will be whether it lingers into friday. Weekend always in view. Temperatures plummeting the 36degree high on saturday, comes with snow flurries and snow showers. A timeline on those ahead. The mbta operator whose train traveled unmanned for miles is suspended on unpaid leave. The general manager of the mbta has yet to make a decision about whether to fire him. Vanessa it comes after David Vasquez attended a disciplinary hearing today. Sharman, tonight, you spoke with his lawyer and the union. The reporter yes. And his lawyer telling me tonight, that he does have a lot of questions about the mbtas policies, procedures, and that train itself. But he did tell me his client categorically denies ever wrapping a cord around any of the trantas controls. Trains controls. Hes not doing very well, hes having a very difficult time with this. Operator David Vasquez says his client is being treated for stress in the days after his train traveled five miles unmanned from braintree to north quincy. Today vasquez was at a disciplinary hearing and was suspended for 30 days pending discharges for failing to follow safety measures. His lawyer tells me despite these photos, he denies ever wrapping a cord around the trains controls. My client denies wrapping a cord or rope around a brake. The reporter last thursday, around 6 00 a. M. In of the morning, vasquez got off the inbound train to check for a problem when the train started moving. It traveled for selfdefense stops before power was cut to the third rail. I have a problem with the morning of the incident there, with the signal. The Union Representing vasquez tells us it will do its own investigation into what happened. Union president james obrian says he has questions about the lack of two operators on board these old trains, and the aging system. Coming in in 2018 were here, you know, he probably could have overcame this in the cab. The infrastructure is old, its been neglected, and this causes problems, and you know, it leads to human error. The reporter and attorney gordon telling me that he believes his client absolutely deserves a full, fair, and impartial investigation including a closer look at that train, and its braking system. Tonight, no word from the mbta general manager, hes the one the final decision rests with. Were live in boston, sharman sachetti, fox 25 news. Vanessa we are following breaking news at 6 00 p. M. Danvers High School Student Phillip Chism has been found guilty of raping and killing his math teacher. We have full coverage ahead at 6 00 p. M. Then also, new at 6 00 p. M. , how the boston School District is working around the clock to keep students safe, following the bogus threats to los angeles and new york city schools. And fox 25 has obtained a new study on bullying, all new at problems that can be triggered from even a short period of bullying. Why. Soon may cost drivers who dont vanessa local colleges are finding new ways to attract students. Worcesters anna ma Maria College are announcing a new degree for a 40k initiative. The 40,000 tuition will apply to students in Public Service money on higher educations costs. The push to attract students a growing trend. How the university of maine is looking to draw outofstate students by slashing tuition. The boston globe reporting students from new england can go to umaine and pay the very same tuition as they would for him home states flagship college. Local students could attend u main for the same tuition they would paying to go to umass amherst. The state is getting rid of tradition traditional toll booths and he reef hereplacing them with transponders. The officials have not decided on how much the charge would be if you do not have a transponder. Aaa expects 100 Million People to travel 50 miles or more from home. That is nearly one in three americans. Here in new england, 4. 3 Million People are expected to hit the roads. Rising incomes and falling gas prices have led to the travel increase. Vanessa if you are waiting on a Holiday Package delivery, you could be waiting longer than expected. Analysts say orders placed on cyber monday took about 20 longer to arrive this year than they did last year. In 2013, a late surge in online orders caused delays, and many packages didnt make it in time for christmas. Retailers are hoping this year, will not be a repeat of that. And here are the deadlines for shipping companies to make ontime deliveries. Fedex needs them by tomorrow for standard ground delivery. U. P. S. Will need packages by friday and first class mail has a deadline of this saturday. If youre running late, can you pay an extra fee at all three carriers, of course you can, for shipping on the 23rd. Do it now. An unbelievable outpouring of support for a thrill girl in new york, who has badly burned in a house fire that killed her father and her brothers. Vanessa this is incredible. Sapphire terry said all she wanted for christmas was cards she received 195,000 cards. Get this, in just one day. And that wasnt it. She was also surprised with an all expenses paid trip to disney for her and her family. The Organization Behind the big surprise sells cookies to raise money to help families like sapphires. Charging the defendant, philip chism, with murder in the first did he grammy degree. Is the defendant guilty or not guilty and ifguilty, guilty of what on what theory. Guilty, deliberate premeditation and extreme atrocity with cruelty. A jury found a Danvers High School student guilty of raping and killing his math teacher. We have been here on air with you since we learned about this verdict and over the past two hours, weve been gathering new information and brand new reaction. Hi everyone, im blair miller. Tonight, philip chism is convicted of raping and killing Colleen Ritzer in 2013. 20 minutes ago, ritzers mother addressed the media. One of colleens favorite quotes is there is something good in every day to celebrate our love for her and in recognition of the many lives, Collin Balester colleen touched and continues to influence, despite of the immense loss we are forced to endure, we will carry on and do our best to find the good in every day. Vanessa we will have more reaction from ritzers family in a minute. Ively chism, guilty of first degree murder, guilty on one of the aggravated rape charges, the rape that happened in the bathroom of the high school. Chism was found not guilty on the rape charge in the woods. And the 16yearold was also found guilty of Armed Robbery for stealing ritzersers under ers underwear. Bob ward was in the courtroom when the verdict was read and has been following the trial from the beginning. Was finally revealed in that courtrm