McDougall Sentenced on Obstruction Charge
The former ZBA and Budget Commitee member will see 48 hours in jail.
According to the Eagle Tribune, former Salem Budget Committee and Zoning Board of Adjustment member Patrick McDougall was sentenced today to 48 hours in prison on an obstruction charge stemming from an incident at his home last year.
The paper reported that he faced a maximum charge of a year in prison and a $2,000 fine.
On July 11, 2012 McDougall turned himself in to Salem Police on a warrant for obstructing government administration following an event police said took place at his home June 26, 2012.
McDougall refused to allow his wife to be transported by Salem Fire paramedics in the early morning hours of June 26 after she had called 911. Officials on scene told McDougall he could not prohibit his wife from seeking treatment and hospital transport, despite her request to be transported, according to Salem Deputy Police Chief Shawn Patten.
McDougall still faces two counts of witness tampering, one count of disorderly conduct and one count of criminal threatening stemming from a separate arrest following an incident that took place at the Salem Fire House.
Patriot
4:33 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
They had to give him something.
Tim McCarthy
4:49 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Like Sharks..................out for a big bite! I pray the bite they took will be the last one!
jerrybreen
5:18 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
I can not believe this system, this should have been thrown out from the beginning, what is this town coming to.
Riley Reid
6:23 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
I kind of like the fact they held him accountable.
Riley Reid
5:20 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
I pray we never hear his name again and he gets some help to deal with his many issues. Too bad the sentence didn't include some psych/anger counseling.
Reid Riley
12:26 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Lol that is hilarious coming from you Riley...sounds familiar, doesn't it? Maybe a little too close to home?
SalemResident
6:40 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
This is disgusting. What a waste of time and resources. Basically the guy's point has been proven - the town went to extremes showing their vendetta and prejudice against this guy. He was outspoken against the PD and FD and now he has been dragged through the mud.
You people really need to wake up and smell the coffee ... someday it will be you that the PD tramples all over and then you will be crying that you are just like this guy. Too late then ...
Riley Reid
7:47 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
@SR: What "extremes?". He broke the law and the police did their job. The man had his day in court before a Judge and was found guilty. That's how the system works.
As far as him being outspoken against the fire and police departments I don't think that really was a factor. 90 pct of this town is anti town employee and there are several big mouths that spout off on a regular basis and you don't see them being hauled off to jail.
james thomas
8:01 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
The 2 days in jail came from his actions in the court room 3 times the judge had to ask him to be quite. why no probation? why no anger classes? sorry riley you will here his name again he still has 2 more cases to settle and those cases are more serious than this one thats were the probation and anger classes will come in he wont get no more jail time as long as he pleads guilty but who knows i didnt think he would get 2 days for this charge
SalemResident
9:43 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Riley ... are you kidding me?
Do you actually believe the bile that you spew?
He broke the law? Really? Last I checked the officer testified that he has never seen anyone charged with "Obstructing Government Administration" in his 15+ year career ... you really believe that his outspoken anti-SPD stance had nothing to do with the way he was treated and how this was handled?
Also last I checked his wife SIGNED THE WAIVER REFUSING SERVICES! So how exactly did he break the law again? Or are you going to claim that since he was found guilty it must be true? The judge is infallible?
The witness tampering charge is just as bogus since again, under oath, in the court room, the Breen testified that he was NOT A WITNESS to the events that took place. So how would that be "WITNESS TAMPERING" in any regard again?
People who have spoken out against the Salem Police have absolutely been harassed, isolated, intimidated, and arrested on trumped up charges. If you think any differently maybe you should do some digging. Those people aren't hard to find.
I'm not going to waste my energy on someone who can't see past their own malformed opinions of the world.
Patriot
7:45 am on Thursday, January 17, 2013
Agree Salem Resident!
The Salem PD can use the Mountie theme "We always get our man!"
Riley Reid
12:33 am on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Actually I do stand behind what I said. People have been "harassed, isolated, intimidated, and arrested on trumped up charges" ? Do you really believe that bile? So who are these people, where are the cops hiding them, is there a secret building somewhere in town ? Are they water boarding these fine upstanding citizens ?
Patrick McDougall talked himself into a set of handcuffs and only he is to blame for his troubles
Gary Boutin
12:32 am on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Funny, the only one spewing here is Salem Rez. Its easy when you have no name attactched to your opinions..................
Jeff Hatch
8:57 am on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
This is so sad that it all came down to this. I'm hoping they can work out some resolution of the other charges.
Some of you have claimed people have been harrased, intimidated... by the PD because they were out spoken. I can only say I have spoken out against things that the PD wanted during the Budget season and have never been or felt threatened by a member of the PD. Sometimes it's not what you say it's how you say it that gets you into situations like this.
Patriot
10:04 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
I know you don't believe what you wrote. Politically it is the best path to walk. If you are not afraid of people that carry a gun, you are crazy.
If you get the snow plow driver mad life can be miserable when it snows. Piss off a person with a badge and gun you can be in trouble for the rest of your life.
That's a fact Jeff!
Tom Linehan
12:26 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Some people in this town have done a lot worse and got off Scot free because of who they are.. I am not defending Pat. I am agreeing with Jeff. This got out of hand and did not need to. Pat Hargreaves had a similar problem and would have been railroaded if so many people had not come to his defense.
Riley Reid
11:43 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Tom, only a handful of people came to Pat's side and he dissed the town council. Arthur was the chair and didn't have the sack to do the right thing and send him packing. That move only empowered Pat and look where we are today. Remember, the cops raided Pat's house for a drug bust,,,Public knowledge,,all in the court files,,,and the rest is history!
B. SHANER
9:51 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Really, have you people ever watched Budget Committee meetings or Zoning Meetings? What probing questions did Patrick McDougall ask? What did he expose? He really was insignificant.
Oedipus
9:51 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
A slap on the wrist.
Jeff Hatch
11:42 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
@ Patriot, Again I can only say that I haven't had that experience. You how ever may have. I'm not disagreeing with you all. I'm just saying it hasn't happen to me.
Patriot
7:45 am on Thursday, January 17, 2013
I will give that to you but, I you give serious thought you will remember several allegations.