Both the Essex District Attorney and the Ritzer family expressed extreme disappointment and disgust in Philip Chism's sentence.
Chism was convicted of raping and murdering Colleen Ritzer, a Danvers High School teacher. He was 14 at the time of the murder. In court Friday, a judge sentenced Chism to at least 40 years in prison, with the possibility of parole in 2052. He will serve two 40 year sentences and a 25 to life sentence concurrently.
"We are devastated and feel betrayed with Judge Lowy's Inability to give three consecutive life sentences without eligibility of parole to the individual that took Colleen's life in such a horrific manner," said Peggy Ritzer.
Ritzer's parents, Tom and Peggy, criticized the Supreme Judicial court ruling that now prohibits juveniles from receiving life sentences without parole. That ruling was made on Christmas Eve of 2013, two months after the beloved Danvers High math teacher was raped and murdered.
The Ritzers said that Chism doesn't deserve a second chance because they daughter will never get one.
"Colleen's friends and family are serving a life sentence without parole," said Peggy Ritzer.
They said the decision by Massachusetts highest court denies justice to her family, friends and the students who loved her.
Chism will not be able to get back on the streets until the age of 54, if parole is granted.