Youth Indicted in Assault on DYS Staffer

BOSTON, July 9, 2014—The Suffolk County Grand Jury has indicted a 15-year-old juvenile as a youthful offender in a violent assault on a staffer at a Department of Youth Service last month, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

The indictments charge PHILIP CHISM (D.O.B. 1/21/99) of Danvers with attempted murder by strangulation, assault with intent to murder, kidnapping, and two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

Prosecutors allege that Chism assaulted a 29-year-old female staff member at the Metro Youth Services facility on Harvard Street in Dorchester. Chism is accused of following the staffer into a bathroom and physically assaulting her on the afternoon of June 2. Co-workers heard her cries for help and interrupted the assault.

The youthful offender indictment opens Chism’s case to the public and exposes him to penalties up to and including those faced by adult defendants if convicted. State Police detectives assigned to the Suffolk DA’s office responded to the scene and investigated the case with the Troop H Detective Unit and Suffolk prosecutors.

Chism remains in custody. His arraignment on these charges in the Suffolk County Juvenile Court has not yet been scheduled.

 

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.