McDougall Found Guilty
A judge ruled that the town official was guilty of obstructing government administration.
Budget Committee and zoning board member Patrick McDougall has been found guilty of obstructing government administration, according to The Eagle-Tribune.
The newspaper reported that Salem Circuit Court Judge Michael Sullivan issued a ruling Friday saying that he believed McDougall's actions stemmed less from financial concerns and more from "an antipathy toward the EMTs and police officers," trying to help his wife.
McDougall was charged in July on the misdemeanor charge after an incident that took place in June involving his wife, Jane, who was suffering from a migraine headache and called 911 at their Tiffany Road home.
McDougall is alleged to have argued with responding Salem Fire personnel, and later Salem Police, regarding an ambulance ride to a hospital. Jane McDougall called 911 a second time regarding the need to go to a hospital, and eventually Patrick McDougall drove her to the hospital himself.
The charge was recently elevated to a Class A misdemeanor and carries up to a $2,000 fine and a year in prison.
Love NH
11:33 am on Monday, December 17, 2012
Mr. McDougall, time to resign. You are no longer innocent, you are now proven guilty. There is no logical reason that you should be in control of the budget for the Police and Fire.
Riley Reid
11:51 am on Monday, December 17, 2012
The Judge said that Mc Dougall's actions were based on "antipathy" towards police, firefighters and EMTS. That alone should be enough of a reason for his removal from all boards in town, especially the budget comm.
Hopefully when the sentence is handed down it includes counseling for his issues so he and his family can move on and put this behind them. I don't think a fine or jail sentence would serve any positive purpose here.
Rusty
1:32 pm on Monday, December 17, 2012
I'll never figure this out. What good has come out of all of this? I understand that we must respect our police and EMT's and I admire what they do. But, I don't know why this was pushed to this level.
Tom Linehan
9:56 am on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
@Rusty, that is one of the few statements I have read on Patch that really makes sense. I would go further. This prosecution a total waste of taxpayer's money. It shows me that many in power have no problem squandering our hard earned money. There was no need for this to go to court.
james thomas
2:07 pm on Monday, December 17, 2012
i been saying since day one that he could of avoided this if him and his lawyer worked out a plea bargain now the court will go harder on him sometimes you just need to be a man and own up to what you do you pretty much know what his sentence will be probation and some angermanagement classes now you should step down without being forced out and take care of yourself and your family
Love NH
2:07 pm on Monday, December 17, 2012
Because, unlike most of us, Mr. McDougall does NOT respect our police and EMT's. And because of that he tried to bully our public servants which is against the law.
F Jackie Marlow
3:42 pm on Monday, December 17, 2012
My guess is that the powers to be figured that unless they took it to this level, this guy would continue his bad behavior. The police and fire personnel are not the only public officials/employees he has bullied since he took office. There are several others that have had to endure his antics, but fortunately he escalated his actions at the right time to the right people that action could be taken. This conviction is just the misdemeanor charges, the felonies are yet to come. We can only hope that Mr. McDougall learns something from this and that more importantly, he decides to conclude his public career.
Only in Salem
9:56 am on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Its time for Patrick to bring down his circus tent and move his show to another town. You already tried Methuen, so you might want to move it north.
Riley Reid
9:56 am on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
@F J Marlow: I think you hit the nail on the head.
Funny how Mr McDougall was all over the social pages claiming his innocence and how he was framed for his political positions, and what not, and now,,,,,he's silenced !
Funny how a verdict can do that.
F Jackie Marlow
9:56 am on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
The Eagle Tribune is reporting that he will resign from both boards.
james thomas
1:35 pm on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
well there you have it pat tells the tribune he made a mistake and wants to get what ever help he can for himself and his family thats what most people wanted to hear from you now that you are resigning from the boards it will give you extra time to focus on you and your family best of luck to you and happy holidays