Lawyers for Massachusetts teen drop bid to get rape charge tossed in teacher's 2013 slaying
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Lawyers for a Massachusetts teenager accused of raping and killing his high school math teacher have dropped their request to get a sexual assault charge dismissed.
Sixteen-year-old Philip Chism is charged with murder in the 2013 slaying of 24-year-old Colleen Ritzer. Chism was 14 when authorities say he robbed, raped and stabbed Ritzer and left her body behind Danvers High School.
Chism's lawyers filed a motion last week arguing that a grand jury had insufficient evidence to determine probable cause for one of the two aggravated rape charges. Prosecutors say the defense withdrew the request Wednesday.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Chism's trial is scheduled to begin Oct. 7.