SPRINGFIELD — Nearly three years after a car crash took the life of a Longmeadow teen, the young driver charged with motor vehicle homicide won a motion to squash evidence related to alleged alcohol consumption.
On May 7, 2022, a collision on Green Willow Drive killed Katarina “Kat” Boskovic, 18, and nearly killed classmate Shea Hamel. A Longmeadow High School senior, Zachary Elfman, then 17, was charged with drunken driving, motor vehicle homicide and related counts.
Now nearing 21, Elfman has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The case has dragged for years and Juvenile Court Judge David B. Paradis recently issued an evidentiary decision that may imperil the case, though Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni recently insisted the prosecution will withstand the blow.
“We’re extremely disappointed and dismayed by the judge’s decision with which we vigorously disagree, and it is legally flawed,” Gulluni said during an interview this week.
Paradis hung his ruling on the fact that Elfman was a juvenile and not permitted to speak with his father on scene, in addition to running afoul of Miranda warning standards and insisting that Elfman perform field sobriety tests despite an injury to his leg.
“The officer’s questioning flagrantly violated the juvenile’s Miranda rights and the right to have an interested adult present in his questioning,” the ruling reads.
Defense attorney Shawn P. Allyn lauded the judge’s decision.
“The judge’s findings are completely accurate and grounded in the record, application of the law is completely on point.” Allyn said. “The police, upon their arrival, trampled over Zachary Elfman’s constitutional rights, rushed to judgment and made multiple crime scene errors.”
The allegations are that a group of teens had been drinking heavily at Elfman’s home before the three got in the car and drove away — striking a tree at the base of the street.
Boskovik, Hamel and Elfman were teammates on the high school’s cross-country track team.
The case has been contentious with Allyn attempting to bar Boskovic’s father from the courtroom and Paradis excusing Elfman from every hearing after his arraignment.
The next hearing in court is scheduled for May 7 — the third anniversary of the crash.
“Of all the dates they could have picked, how tone deaf is that?” said the Boskovic family’s civil attorney, Raipher D. Pellegrino.
He, along with Gulluni, was critical of how long the case has continued and the delay of 14 months for the judge to issue his ruling on the evidence.
“Justice delayed is justice denied,” Pellegrino said.
Gulluni’s office swiftly filed an appeal, attacking the judge’s rationale.
The appeal noted Elfman made puzzling remarks in the police cruiser including “Can I get the diagnosis? Can I get the diagnosis? What’s the plan?”
Pleadings in the case have included wrenching details including when Elfman was informed Boskovic, to whom he referred as his “best friend,” was dead and Hamel, who he claimed he didn’t know, “wasn’t far behind.”
Hamel survived grievous injuries after a long stint in the hospital.
Elfman sobbed at the scene and repeatedly asked responding officers for a hug, according to court records.
Gulluni also critiqued the delay in the judge’s ruling.
“We’re hopeful that justice will prevail for the Boskovic and Hamel families,” he said. “The idea that this decision took 14 months is frankly unacceptable. These are good people who’ve been through a nightmare.”
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