William Haney Jr., 43, has been indicted on charges of first-degree murder and animal cruelty in the death of art collector John Axelrod, 79, and his dog, Tale. The incident occurred on January 3 when Axelrod and his pet were struck by a vehicle driven by Haney.

Assistant District Attorney Ursula Knight stated in court that Haney acted "methodically and deliberately" in the attack, which authorities described as random. Axelrod and his dog were walking near the Commonwealth Avenue Mall when Haney allegedly drove onto the mall, striking them. A witness reported hearing a loud bang followed by the sound of a yelping dog.

Law enforcement responded to the scene around 9 a.m. Axelrod was taken to a hospital where he later died. Haney reportedly sped away from the scene, later stopping at a Dunkin' Donuts where he removed the dog's leash from his vehicle's grill. Prosecutors stated he intended to discard the leash in a nearby trash can, but it was recovered during the investigation. Haney also attempted to have his car's front end repaired at a mechanic, but was refused service as the establishment was not a body shop.

He was arrested after his brother took him to the Brookline police station. Haney and Axelrod both resided in Back Bay but had no prior relationship, according to authorities.

In February, weeks after his arrest, Haney was declared mentally incompetent to stand trial due to a history of schizophrenia and is currently undergoing court-ordered psychiatric treatment at Bridgewater State Hospital. His attorney, Keith Halpern, argued that Haney believed he was defending himself against an imaginary assailant. Haney's family has stated that his paranoia and delusions began after a medication change last summer, though he had managed his schizophrenia for 20 years with treatment and family support.

Axelrod was a well-known figure in the art community, recognized as a generous supporter and advocate for underrepresented artists. The Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) noted his significant contributions since the 1980s, including the John Axelrod Collection, comprising nearly 70 works by Black artists. The John Axelrod Gallery in the museum's Art of the Americas Wing was dedicated to him in 2009. He donated over 700 pieces to the museum during his lifetime. Axelrod was a native of New Jersey and studied at Phillips Academy, Yale University, and Harvard Law School. He was also an ardent dog lover.