A judge has set bail at $250,000 for the man accused of killing a beloved psychotherapist who was out for a jog in a hit-and-run crash last week in Sutton, Massachusetts.
Shane Newman, 39, of Sutton, appeared in Uxbridge District Court on Monday following his arrest on Friday. He is accused of killing 51-year-old Millbury resident Daniel De Lima, who was found dead in a Sutton yard last Wednesday.
The arrest came after a two-day search for a white SUV with front-end damage. Authorities received numerous tips regarding the alleged hit-and-run, which helped police arrest Newman, according to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early.
Police said they were able to use pieces of a broken headlight found at the scene to determine that the vehicle that struck De Lima was either a 2013 or 2014 Cadillac SRX. Paint located on De Lima also suggested the vehicle was white.
Investigators were also provided with a partial registration plate, and a Registry of Motor Vehicles search found that there were two white Cadillac SRX vehicles registered in Sutton. One was quickly ruled out as being involved. The other belonged to Newman.
When they tracked down Newman in Connecticut using his cellphone's GPS, he was found with a 2014 Cadillac SRX with recent damage to the front passenger side that police said was consistent with striking a pedestrian and with the debris located at the crash scene.
According to the police report, interviews at Newman's workplace revealed that he arrived at work on the morning of the collision in the Cadillac SRX and that it had recent damage to the front passenger side. He reportedly told co-workers that he had been in a crash that morning.
Prosecutors said Newman attempted to have the vehicle repaired out of state.
Newman now faces charges that include leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash causing person injury and death. A not guilty plea was entered on his behalf at his arraignment Monday.
An attorney for Newman, who appeared to be choking back tears in court, said his client is "emotionally distraught."
The homeowner whose wife discovered the body in their yard said De Lima was thrown about 100 feet, based on damage of a nearby telephone pole and a debris path. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
De Lima's family said he was a passionate runner.
"We wanted justice, but we have to grieve and get past the loss of Daniel," said the victim's sister, Andreia Makkas.
