Today William R. Haney, Jr., 42, was arraigned for first-degree murder and animal cruelty in Boston Municipal Court.
The charges stem from allegations that Haney ran over John Axelrod, a prominent art collector and philanthropist, while he was walking his dog.
Officials say that the incident took place on Saturday at the Commonwealth Avenue Mall.
According to prosecutors, Haney asked a pedestrian “if he had seen an individual who was wearing a red jacket and with his dog.”
During this conversation, Haney allegedly “used a derogatory term in referring to the two of them.”
Prosecutors say that the pedestrian pointed Haney in the direction of Axelrod and his dog.
Haney allegedly drove his 2014 Toyota SUV on to the mall, sped up, and hit the alleged victim.
Both Axelrod and his pet reportedly died from the crash.
Authorities claim that Haney’s brother brought him to the police station at some point after the alleged incident.
Axelrod, 79, had been a major donor to the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.
Over the past 40 years, he has gifted nearly 900 works to the museum.
Many of those donations were 20th-century pieces from Europe and North America.
At today’s hearing, a court psychologist evaluated Haney for competency.
The psychologist questioned Haney’s ability to understand the proceedings.
Consequently, the judge ruled that Haney would be held without the right to bail and sent to Bridgewater State Hospital for further examination.
His next court date is January 23.