Lucas Benkert v. State of Indiana

── Lucas Benkert v. State of Indiana ── Case No.: 24A-CR-02015 Court: Indiana Court of Appeals Date: September 15, 2025 Author: Judge Peter Foley County of Origin: Wayne Category: Criminal Decision: Affirmed Judge Mathias and Judge Felix concur On December 15, 2020, after 9:00 p.m., Matthew Benkert (“Matthew”), who is Benkert’s father, arrived home from work, unlocked his door, went inside his home, and found an unknown man, who was later identified as James Jason Burkhart (“James”), lying dead in the doorway to Benkert’s bedroom. Benkert who was fifteen years old at the time, was not home, and Matthew’s .380 caliber handgun, which he normally kept on the TV stand in the family room, was missing. Matthew called the police, who arrived and began investigating the man’s death.