Charge reduced in Swanton teen’s death Written By Leon Thompson Thursday, October 22, 2009 Evidence fails to support manslaughter charge       ST. ALBANS CITY –– One of two men charged in the fatal alcohol and drug overdose of a young Swanton man changed his plea in court here Wednesday – because the state could not meet its burden of proof on the original manslaughter charge.        Staci Dolan, 35, of Highgate, entered an emotional no contest plea to felony sale of narcotics, a charge that carries a maximum of five years in prison and $25,000 in fines.        Instead, Judge Greg Rainville gave Dolan a suspended 30-day to three-year sentence, with 30 days to serve on a work crew, for selling Jeremy Chapple four tablets of Lorazepam prior to Chapple’s June 8 death in a Swanton Village apartment. Chapple was 19.        The state initially charged Dolan with manslaughter because Chapple died of acute intoxication due to combined effects of alcohol and benzodiazepine, but further examination by the state medical examiner’s office revealed Lorazepam was not in Chapple’s system when he died.        “That drug was not found in the bodily fluids of Jeremy Chapple,” said Franklin County State’s Attorney Jim Hughes.        “So it couldn’t even be considered a contributing factor,” the judge remarked.        The lack of factual basis to support the manslaughter charge forced Hughes to drop the charge against Dolan, who embraced the prosecutor and thanked him in the courthouse lobby after the 30-minute hearing ended.        Dolan’s probationary conditions require him to receive substance abuse treatment – which he’s already started – and undergo random urine tests.        Dolan welcomed the development yesterday, but it leaves questions unanswered for Chapple’s relatives; they are still wondering who gave Chapple the pills that helped kill him. Communications to Hughes from the State Medical Examiner’s Office indicate Chapple might have taken Valium or Restoril, which is used to treat insomnia.        If evidence surfaces that someone else sold the drugs to Chapple, a new charge is possible, Hughes said.        “I don’t know the possibility of that,” he said. “It’s a probability.”        Dolan appeared nervous in court yesterday. At times, his voice quavered with emotion. He offered Chapple’s family an apology and said he and Chapple had become close friends in the 18 months leading to his death.        “I’ve learned my lesson,” Dolan said.        After reading a letter from Chapple’s mother, Penny Knowles, Rainville expressed sympathy for the victim’s family but said “no judge in the state” would support the manslaughter charge against Dolan, given Chapple’s toxicology results.        “I wish I could give you better words of support,” the judge told Knowles.        Matthew Peno, 21, of Sheldon Springs, awaits trial on a manslaughter charge for allegedly buying the half-gallon of Jack Daniel’s whiskey that Chapple consumed primarily alone, in less than two hours. Witnesses said Chapple was depressed over a recent break-up with his girlfriend.        Early in the case, Judge Michael Kupersmith found no probable cause for charging the apartment tenant, Amy Clark, with enabling. Swanton police have said Clark knowingly and willingly offered her apartment as a place for minors to party, and that she was in and out of her residence the night Chapple was there.        After a closer probe of the 911 call, Clark was charged with enabling and pleaded not guilty. She was released on conditions and awaits trial.

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