The charges have been reinstated and I am truly stunned by this outcome. This victory belongs entirely to the people who kept pushing for justice when things looked bleak. I will be watching closely to ensure this process moves forward properly.
December 1, 2021
Final supporters
The below-signed petitioners implore Kent Eastwood and the Boone County Prosecutor’s Office to reinstate charges against Jack Henry Kaplan in the case State of Indiana v. Jack Henry Kaplan. The evidence in that case—as seen in the Affidavit for Probable Cause—overwhelmingly shows that on October 20th, 2016, Jack Kaplan crashed his vehicle while intoxicated, killing the passenger, James Charles D. Dupler.
Specifically, the evidence shows the following:
- That GPS data shows that Jack spent approximately 38 minutes alone at the crash site before contacting anyone for help.
- That, after those 38 minutes, Jack contacted his father instead of calling 911.
- That Jack never called 911 to alert authorities of the crash.
- That Jack and his father, David Kaplan, were alone at the crash site for nearly 20 minutes before any first responders arrived.
- That Jack initially stated to the police that his dad found James on the passenger’s side of Jack’s car.
- That Jack later recanted the above statement and made a wholly contradictory claim: That Jack actually found James on the ground by the driver’s side of Jack’s car.
- That David Kaplan initially stated in his 911 call that he and Jack did not know where James was, further contradicting his son’s initial statements to police.
- That a forensic pathologist believed that Jack's injuries were inconsistent with Jack being on the passenger’s side of Jack’s car when it crashed.
- That the forensic pathologist instead believed that James’s injuries were consistent with James being on the passenger’s side of Jack’s car during the crash.
- That the forensic pathologist further believed that James would have been rendered unconscious on impact, making the alleged location that David Kaplan found him impossible.
- That Jack had a blood-alcohol content (BAC) between 0.116 and 0.190—well above the legal limit of 0.08—at the time of the crash.
The Boone County Prosecutor’s Office filed charges in early 2018. After three years of court-date extensions, the Prosecutor’s Office asked for the case against Jack Kaplan to be dismissed
despite the wealth of evidence showing that Jack is responsible for the death of James Charles D. Dupler.
The below-signed petitioners steadfastly believe that James Charles D. Dupler deserves justice. And that requires the Boone County Prosecutor’s Office and Kent Eastwood to try Jack Kaplan for his crimes in front of a jury of his peers.
Updates
September 19, 2021
I logged on this morning and saw one thousand names and I honestly do not know what to say. This was never about me but about honoring James through your collective persistence. You have all put this case back in the light and that is entirely your doing.
Reached 1,000 supporters
September 17, 2021
Reached 100 supporters
September 16, 2021
429 Comments
Jeanne Dupler McMains (James' aunt) is a very close friend of mine. James' death has been so difficult for his family. He deserves justice. It is unfathomable that these changes were dropped.
It is imperative that a jury has the opportunity to see the evidence for itself and determine a verdict. A fair trial is the cornerstone of our justice system, and will be a critical element of the healing process and closure for James' family and friends.
I am a past resident of Boone County and went to Middle and High School with James. This gross miscarriage of justice for the Dupler family and the Zionsville community is horrendous and unacceptable.
Please find justice for James. I was one of his track coaches in Middle School. A great young man whose family deserves justice for the loss of his life. I am a voting resident of Boone County, Indiana.
Throwing out a case without transparency seems extremely suspect. If not willing to reopen the case at least attempt to explain to the public more than has been done. The trust of the public is wavering. It appears that not all people are tried equally at this time in our town. Small town.
The ONE that knows the truth will be the ultimate judge. Rest in peace, James!
James Dupler died in a tragic accident almost ten years ago. James, who I knew in high school, was a really nice kid. Smart, athletic, popular…what more could you want? And I sympathize with the community being rocked and shook by his death. I really do. My condolences to his family and his close friends. I liked him. I remember making jokes with Dupler in math class about how he was younger than everyone else. He was funny! But I need to point some things out. Law enforcement performed their duties. They do so objectively by their own institutions. Several investigative reports and forensic reconstructions came to the conclusion that Dupler was most likely the driver. That is the judgment of legal authorities who have access to all available evidence, not conjecture. The prosecution chose not to file charges. The legal burden of proof wasn't met, not because they didn't care. Yes, Kaplan did not call 911 in time. That’s very upsetting, but, as difficult as it is to say, it is not his obligation to do so. You cannot randomly blame a friend (who, in the eyes of the law, is a random stranger) when someone else dies. This petition calling him a murderer, a killer, etc. is absolutely inappropriate, misleading, and causing so much more harm that it needs to. Kaplan may have made mistakes — perhaps even hesitated at a critical moment. But fear, shock, and trauma do not make someone a criminal. And friendship is not a legally binding rescue contract. And calling someone a “killer” or “murderer” — when prosecutors themselves explicitly ruled otherwise — is wrong, defamatory, and harmful. Everyone signing this should be ashamed This petition is absolutely filled with deliberate misinformation. Debunked narratives, nebulous emotional appeals, and legal misunderstandings have all been recycled in this petition. James Dupler was a popular, white, Christian teenager from a wealthy Zionsville family. His parents — both respected doctors — were among t
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The charges have been reinstated and I am truly stunned by this outcome. This victory belongs entirely to the people who kept pushing for justice when things looked bleak. I will be watching closely to ensure this process moves forward properly.
December 1, 2021
Final supporters
The below-signed petitioners implore Kent Eastwood and the Boone County Prosecutor’s Office to reinstate charges against Jack Henry Kaplan in the case State of Indiana v. Jack Henry Kaplan. The evidence in that case—as seen in the Affidavit for Probable Cause—overwhelmingly shows that on October 20th, 2016, Jack Kaplan crashed his vehicle while intoxicated, killing the passenger, James Charles D. Dupler.
Specifically, the evidence shows the following:
- That GPS data shows that Jack spent approximately 38 minutes alone at the crash site before contacting anyone for help.
- That, after those 38 minutes, Jack contacted his father instead of calling 911.
- That Jack never called 911 to alert authorities of the crash.
- That Jack and his father, David Kaplan, were alone at the crash site for nearly 20 minutes before any first responders arrived.
- That Jack initially stated to the police that his dad found James on the passenger’s side of Jack’s car.
- That Jack later recanted the above statement and made a wholly contradictory claim: That Jack actually found James on the ground by the driver’s side of Jack’s car.
- That David Kaplan initially stated in his 911 call that he and Jack did not know where James was, further contradicting his son’s initial statements to police.
- That a forensic pathologist believed that Jack's injuries were inconsistent with Jack being on the passenger’s side of Jack’s car when it crashed.
- That the forensic pathologist instead believed that James’s injuries were consistent with James being on the passenger’s side of Jack’s car during the crash.
- That the forensic pathologist further believed that James would have been rendered unconscious on impact, making the alleged location that David Kaplan found him impossible.
- That Jack had a blood-alcohol content (BAC) between 0.116 and 0.190—well above the legal limit of 0.08—at the time of the crash.
The Boone County Prosecutor’s Office filed charges in early 2018. After three years of court-date extensions, the Prosecutor’s Office asked for the case against Jack Kaplan to be dismissed
despite the wealth of evidence showing that Jack is responsible for the death of James Charles D. Dupler.
The below-signed petitioners steadfastly believe that James Charles D. Dupler deserves justice. And that requires the Boone County Prosecutor’s Office and Kent Eastwood to try Jack Kaplan for his crimes in front of a jury of his peers.
Updates
September 19, 2021
I logged on this morning and saw one thousand names and I honestly do not know what to say. This was never about me but about honoring James through your collective persistence. You have all put this case back in the light and that is entirely your doing.
Reached 1,000 supporters
September 17, 2021
Reached 100 supporters
September 16, 2021
429 Comments
I am and have been a Boone County resident for 18+ years. I expect the Boone County Prosecutor’s Office and Kent Eastwood to reinstate the charges against Jack Henry Kaplan. James Dupler deserved so much better than this. Justice for him is a bare-minimum request at this point.
Jeanne Dupler McMains (James' aunt) is a very close friend of mine. James' death has been so difficult for his family. He deserves justice. It is unfathomable that these changes were dropped.
It is imperative that a jury has the opportunity to see the evidence for itself and determine a verdict. A fair trial is the cornerstone of our justice system, and will be a critical element of the healing process and closure for James' family and friends.
I am a past resident of Boone County and went to Middle and High School with James. This gross miscarriage of justice for the Dupler family and the Zionsville community is horrendous and unacceptable.
Please find justice for James. I was one of his track coaches in Middle School. A great young man whose family deserves justice for the loss of his life. I am a voting resident of Boone County, Indiana.
Throwing out a case without transparency seems extremely suspect. If not willing to reopen the case at least attempt to explain to the public more than has been done. The trust of the public is wavering. It appears that not all people are tried equally at this time in our town. Small town.
The ONE that knows the truth will be the ultimate judge. Rest in peace, James!
James Dupler died in a tragic accident almost ten years ago. James, who I knew in high school, was a really nice kid. Smart, athletic, popular…what more could you want? And I sympathize with the community being rocked and shook by his death. I really do. My condolences to his family and his close friends. I liked him. I remember making jokes with Dupler in math class about how he was younger than everyone else. He was funny! But I need to point some things out. Law enforcement performed their duties. They do so objectively by their own institutions. Several investigative reports and forensic reconstructions came to the conclusion that Dupler was most likely the driver. That is the judgment of legal authorities who have access to all available evidence, not conjecture. The prosecution chose not to file charges. The legal burden of proof wasn't met, not because they didn't care. Yes, Kaplan did not call 911 in time. That’s very upsetting, but, as difficult as it is to say, it is not his obligation to do so. You cannot randomly blame a friend (who, in the eyes of the law, is a random stranger) when someone else dies. This petition calling him a murderer, a killer, etc. is absolutely inappropriate, misleading, and causing so much more harm that it needs to. Kaplan may have made mistakes — perhaps even hesitated at a critical moment. But fear, shock, and trauma do not make someone a criminal. And friendship is not a legally binding rescue contract. And calling someone a “killer” or “murderer” — when prosecutors themselves explicitly ruled otherwise — is wrong, defamatory, and harmful. Everyone signing this should be ashamed This petition is absolutely filled with deliberate misinformation. Debunked narratives, nebulous emotional appeals, and legal misunderstandings have all been recycled in this petition. James Dupler was a popular, white, Christian teenager from a wealthy Zionsville family. His parents — both respected doctors — were among t
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I am and have been a Boone County resident for 18+ years. I expect the Boone County Prosecutor’s Office and Kent Eastwood to reinstate the charges against Jack Henry Kaplan. James Dupler deserved so much better than this. Justice for him is a bare-minimum request at this point.