A Suffolk County grand jury on Monday indicted William Haney Jr., charging him with first-degree murder and related counts in the January killing of Back Bay art collector John Axelrod, 79, and the death of Axelrod's dog, Tale. The grand jury action moves the case into Superior Court as prosecutors gear up for what could be the Commonwealth's highest-stakes homicide prosecution.
Prosecutors Say The Attack Was Deliberate
Assistant district attorneys told jurors that Haney drove his SUV along the Commonwealth Avenue Mall, steering around trees and a statue, then accelerated toward Axelrod in what they called "methodical" and intentional conduct. Not guilty pleas were entered on Haney's behalf at his arraignment, which formally shifted the case from municipal court to Superior Court, according to The Boston Globe.
Investigators Lay Out The Timeline
Prosecutors say the crash happened on the Commonwealth Avenue Mall near Hereford Street on Jan. 3 while Axelrod was walking Tale with a friend. According to video and witness accounts, Haney then drove toward Brookline, stopped at a Dunkin' Donuts, and removed the dog's leash from the SUV's grill before abandoning the vehicle in Brookline. The leash was later found in a trash can, the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office said. Investigators say Haney and his brother later went to Brookline police headquarters, where Haney was arrested. He is being held without bail pending further proceedings, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office.
Mental Health And Defense Strategy
Haney has a long history of schizophrenia and was ruled mentally incompetent to stand trial in February. He has been hospitalized at Bridgewater State Hospital for court-ordered psychiatric treatment. His attorney, Keith Halpern, has said Haney understands the charges and plans to pursue an insanity defense while doctors work to restore his competency, according to CBS Boston.
Axelrod's Mark On Boston's Arts World
Axelrod was a longtime supporter of the Museum of Fine Arts and an influential collector who pushed institutions to widen their holdings and spotlight underrepresented American artists, as reported by The Boston Globe. Loved ones were in court on Monday. Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden offered condolences and said his office would continue to support Axelrod's family as the case goes forward, according to a January press release from the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office.
Legal Implications
The grand jury indictment sends the case to Superior Court, where prosecutors can seek a trial if Haney is found competent in the future. Restoring competency can take months or longer. A first-degree murder conviction in Massachusetts carries the state's most serious penalties and can result in a mandatory life sentence in many cases, according to Mass.gov.
