Tossing a murder confession - why?

[tres borrachos]

Judge Tosses Confession in Teacher-Murder Trial for Philip Chism

A judge on Tuesday ruled that an alleged confession from a Massachusetts teen accused of killing his teacher in 2013 cannot be used at his trial over doubts that he was aware of his rights.

The decision to toss the alleged confession police say was given by Philip Chism, 16, also means that cell phone evidence obtained after that police interview is inadmissible, NBC station New England Cable News reported.

Chism is accused of slitting the throat of his math teacher, Colleen Ritzer, in a bathroom at Danvers High School on Oct. 22, 2013. Her body was discovered in a wooded area near the school along with a note reading, "I hate you all." She was partially naked and an indictment claims Chism sexually assaulted her.

The judge ruled that it was "readily apparent" that Chism's mother wanted an attorney to be present before he was questioned and allegedly confessed to the killing. The judge also was not convinced that Chism was paying attention when he was read his Miranda rights, NECN reported.

More here:

Judge Tosses Confession in Teacher-Murder Trial for Philip Chism - NBC News

This is one of the most disturbing stories in the last few years up here. He was a 14 year old student, and he was with her after school (she was helping him). He followed her into the bathroom, raped her, slit her throat, put her in a dumpster, took her dead body (nude from the waist down) outside, put her under a tree, shoved a large branch into her vagina, took her panties and credit cards, and walked away. There was initially an Amber alert from him, then the police found him walking on the road. Then it went on from there.

Why would his confession be tossed out? Because he wasn't paying attention? This wasn't like the olden days when the suspect was deprived of food and water for days and had to confess. He did it pretty much right away.

What's also scary about this story is that this kid was perfectly normal before this. Star soccer player. Handsome. Well liked. He could have been anyone's kid.

 

[MaggieD]

Judge Tosses Confession in Teacher-Murder Trial for Philip Chism



More here:


Judge Tosses Confession in Teacher-Murder Trial for Philip Chism - NBC News

This is one of the most disturbing stories in the last few years up here. He was a 14 year old student, and he was with her after school (she was helping him). He followed her into the bathroom, raped her, slit her throat, put her in a dumpster, took her dead body (nude from the waist down) outside, put her under a tree, shoved a large branch into her vagina, took her panties and credit cards, and walked away. There was initially an Amber alert from him, then the police found him walking on the road. Then it went on from there.

Why would his confession be tossed out? Because he wasn't paying attention? This wasn't like the olden days when the suspect was deprived of food and water for days and had to confess. He did it pretty much right away.

What's also scary about this story is that this kid was perfectly normal before this. Star soccer player. Handsome. Well liked. He could have been anyone's kid.

As scarey as it is n this case, I'll land on the side of a 14-year-old. He's a child. He neither understands self incrimination nor knows enough to ask for an attorney. The cops blew the case.

 

[Declan]

he'll probably still be convicted, but even if not, it is the right decision. Cops should have gotten him a lawyer or stopped questioning him as soon as mom demanded one. I am sure there has to be DNA with all that going on.

 

[Lutherf]

Judge Tosses Confession in Teacher-Murder Trial for Philip Chism



More here:

Judge Tosses Confession in Teacher-Murder Trial for Philip Chism - NBC News

This is one of the most disturbing stories in the last few years up here. He was a 14 year old student, and he was with her after school (she was helping him). He followed her into the bathroom, raped her, slit her throat, put her in a dumpster, took her dead body (nude from the waist down) outside, put her under a tree, shoved a large branch into her vagina, took her panties and credit cards, and walked away. There was initially an Amber alert from him, then the police found him walking on the road. Then it went on from there.

Why would his confession be tossed out? Because he wasn't paying attention? This wasn't like the olden days when the suspect was deprived of food and water for days and had to confess. He did it pretty much right away.

What's also scary about this story is that this kid was perfectly normal before this. Star soccer player. Handsome. Well liked. He could have been anyone's kid.

While I dislike the idea of tossing the confession I suspect that the judge wants to leave as little room for appeal as possible and that other evidence will be more than sufficient to keep the kid away from society for the rest of his life.

 

[Unrepresented]

While the crime is bad, law enforcement and the judicial system not following consistent legal procedures is far more dangerous, with far more potential victims.

 

[ttwtt78640]

The "not paying attention" part is simply ridiculous and if he is being charged as an adult then the fact that a parent (or other adult guardian) wanted something that the suspect himself did not should not matter.