State troopers take over Castner case

MARBLEHEAD – State troopers assigned to the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office are taking over the investigation into the death of teenager Alessandra Castner of Marblehead.Castner, 15, died Aug. 24 when she was struck by a car driven by Thomas “T.J.” Larivee Jr., 19, of Salem. The girl was attempting to cross Pleasant Street near the corner of Mohawk Road.The case was transferred in late September from the Essex County District Attorney’s Office to the Worcester prosecutor’s office after questions were raised by the Castner family about a possible conflict of interest that might prevent Marblehead police from thoroughly pursuing the investigation.Marblehead Police Chief Robert O. Picariello said Thursday that his department notified the Essex County District Attorney’s Office as soon as his officers became aware of the potential conflict. “At that point, Sgt. Marion Keating ceased investigating the case and I contacted the Essex County district attorney,” he said.Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett requested the case be transferred to the jurisdiction of the Worcester courts. The matter was transferred along with local police reports, evidence and the findings of a State Police Accident Reconstruction Team. However, according to Picariello, the Worcester District Attorney’s Office was unaware of the potential conflict of interest.Picariello said that became apparent after two meetings with Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr., who then ordered state police detectives who comprise the Crime Prevention and Control Unit assigned to the prosecutor’s office to take over the case from the Marblehead police. “He thought it best to go in this direction.”Within days of the girl’s death, the Castner family began questioning delays in the investigation and asking why the driver had not been charged. The driver’s name was not immediately released, which is not typical in such instances. A former Marblehead police officer with more than 20 years on the job told The Item he had never seen a motor vehicle case handled in this manner. A community outcry ensued. Blodgett denied any coverup.Since then, the state Registry of Motor Vehicles has revoked Larivee’s license, but no criminal charges have been leveled. Larivee, a Salem High School graduate and college freshman, has had numerous driving infractions and once had his license suspended for 90 days. Police have impounded Larivee’s Volvo.”Today’s news that Worcester County District Attorney’s Office is transferring the jurisdiction for the investigation of Allie Castner’s death from the Marblehead Police Department to the Worcester CPAC Unit is a welcome development and raises further serious questions regarding Allie’s death and the investigation of Thomas “T.J.” Larivee Jr.,” attorney Gerry D’Ambrosio said Thursday, speaking on behalf of the Castner family.”The Castner family is deeply troubled by any potential conflict of interest that may have influenced the Marblehead Police Department’s investigation and applaud the Worcester District Attorney’s Office for working to ensure their daughter’s death is fully and properly investigated. The family looks forward to working with the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office and the Massachusetts State Police with their ongoing investigation.”Castner would have been a sophomore at Marblehead High School.In the wake of all that has happened, the Marblehead Board of Selectmen is seeking a review of the local police investigation. Board Chairman Jackie Belf-Becker plans to confer with Town Counsel Jeff Shribman to determine whether selectmen can meet with Picariello for a “status review” of the investigation and how that can happen.