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West Babylon man confesses to carjacking that led to disabled man’s death

The 25-year-old is charged with murder and robbery.

News 12 Staff

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May 11, 2026, 6:46 PM

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An arrest has been made more than a year after a deadly carjacking in Deer Park.

Suffolk police say Jason Buttchampagne was arrested Monday, accused of killing Donald Klune in December 2024 after allegedly assaulting him and stealing his vehicle.

The 65-year-old disabled man died two days later from his injuries, according to Klune's family.

According to court documents, Buttchampagne admitted to police that he stole the car on Brook Avenue because he was angry.

"I pulled him out of the car, punched him and kicked him," he said in a statement revealed in court documents.

Buttchampagne then allegedly parked the car in a Home Depot parking lot and left, keeping the keys to himself. He told authorities he went back the next day to check if anything of his was left in the car.

The 25-year-old is charged with murder and robbery.

He pleaded not guilty on Tuesday.

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