MARBLEHEAD — In a brief hearing Friday morning, Lynn Juvenile Court continued the compliance and election hearing from May 17 for the case against Oscar Galante, a Marblehead teenager charged with motor vehicle homicide and reckless operation after the death of 13-year-old Savannah Gatchell last August.
This hearing allowed the defense to provide the court with updates on the status of evidence collection.
Currently, the Marblehead Police Department is finalizing the Collision Reconstruction Report for the fatal crash, which should be ready for evidence review soon. No specific date was given.
The case comes as many Marblehead residents are still processing the recent public release of James Galante’s 2022 fatal collision report, which concluded he was operating a vehicle under the influence at the time of his death.
There has been no indication or evidence presented to suspect this was the case in Oscar Galante’s crash that led to Gatchell’s tragic death. Many are juggling the mourning of both as evidence continues to be revealed.
In addition, a request was made for a lab report file, likely for Gatchell’s forensic report, which the court is still awaiting, and for an update on the ongoing download of Galante’s phone for evidence examination.
As the attorneys await additional evidence from the Commonwealth, another compliance and election hearing is expected sometime in mid-September. Currently, there is no official update on the next hearing or whether this case will see a jury trial or waive that right.





