$150K bail for driver in murder case; Man allegedly ran down victim.

• Author: Murray, Gary V.
• Position: Local

Byline: Gary V. Murray

WORCESTER -- Bail has been set at $150,000 cash for a Leominster man charged with murder for allegedly running down another man last year outside a Leominster bar.

Matthew S. Padovano, 34, of 6 McKinley Road, Leominster, is under indictment on a charge of first-degree murder in the Aug. 3 death of 33-year-old David M. Szafarowicz of Auburn. Authorities said Mr. Padovano hit Mr. Szafarowicz with his Jeep Commander in front of the Captain's Lounge on Main Street in Leominster after a fight inside the bar involving Mr. Padovano's girlfriend.

Prosecutors said that Mr. Szafarowicz was dragged for several feet under the SUV and that Mr. Padovano drove away from the scene.

The earlier altercation in the bar involved Mr. Padovano's girlfriend and members of Mr. Szafarowicz's party, according to prosecutors.

Mr. Padovano was ordered held without bail without prejudice after entering a not-guilty plea at his arraignment Sept. 26 in Worcester Superior Court.

His lawyers, Nicholas C. Bazoukas and Michael S. Ferguson, asked Judge James R. Lemire Tuesday to set bail of $50,000 cash...