A West Babylon man has been indicted in the robbery and killing of a 65-year-old Deer Park amputee who prosecutors said was pulled from his vehicle, beaten and left in the road in December 2024.
Jason Butt-Champagne, 25, was arraigned Thursday, May 21, on charges including second-degree murder and first-degree robbery in the death of Donald Klune, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney.
Prosecutors said Klune was sitting in his parked vehicle on Brook Avenue in Deer Park at about 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 11, 2024, when Butt-Champagne allegedly approached the car, pulled him out and kicked and beat him.
Klune, who had one leg, was physically unable to defend himself during the attack, prosecutors said. Butt-Champagne allegedly fled in Klune’s vehicle and left him without his phone.
A good Samaritan found Klune in the road and called 911. He was taken to South Shore University Hospital and died two days later, on Dec. 13, 2024. The Suffolk County Medical Examiner determined he died from blunt force injuries.
Police later found Klune’s vehicle in a commercial parking lot in Deer Park. While officers were securing the vehicle on Dec. 12, 2024, prosecutors said Butt-Champagne was walking nearby when he was struck by a vehicle on Commack Road. Officers allegedly found car keys near him that were later confirmed to belong to Klune.
Butt-Champagne was arrested May 11, 2026, after what prosecutors described as a long-term investigation.
He was indicted on second-degree murder, first-degree robbery, second-degree robbery, second-degree assault and fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property.
Acting Supreme Court Justice Karen M. Wilutis ordered Butt-Champagne remanded while the case is pending. He is due back in court June 24, 2026, and faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted of the top count.
The charges are accusations. Butt-Champagne is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
