McDougall Misdemeanor Trial Pushed Back

The trial for a charge of obstructing government administration against Salem Budget Committee and Zoning Board of Adjustment member Patrick McDougall has been pushed back after the trial had been scheduled for Wednesday in the 10th Circuit Court of Salem.

McDougall's next court date on that charge is for a motion hearing Oct. 9, according to a clerk at the court.

McDougall, 37, was originally charged in July for a late-June incident in which his wife called 911 complaining of a migraine headache and Patrick McDougall allegedly refused to allow her to be transported after paramedics arrived, and he got into an argument with the paramedics and later police on scene.

Eventually, McDougall drove his wife to the hospital himself, citing the cost of an ambulance ride.

McDougall received written notice from Salem Police not to contact witnesses involved in the case or face possible felony witness tampering charges.

He pleaded not guilty July 30 to the obstruction charge and at the time told reporters his trial date was set for Sept. 19.

On Aug. 31, McDougall was arrested again and charged with three felony counts of witness tampering and misdemeanor counts of criminal threatening and disorderly conduct related to two separate incidents. 

A few days before his second arrest, Salem Police were attempting to deliver a subpoena to McDougall's wife when he allegedly told the officer his wife was asleep and that the subpoena should go to his lawyer. McDougall's wife eventually called to the officer out her window, saying she would accept the subpoena.

On Aug. 31, McDougall allegedly got into an altercation at the Salem Fire Central Station with Fire Chief Kevin Breen after McDougall allegedly "began requesting information in relation to a pending criminal case against him in which Chief Breen is a witness," according to police.

McDougall allegedly got agitated and "got within 12 inches of (Breen's) face and began to say something loudly" before being ordered to leave the station.

McDougall was released on $2,500 personal recognizance bail and is scheduled for arraignment on these charges next Monday in the 10th Circuit Court of Salem.

McDougall has maintained his innocence since the first charge was levied against him and he has refused to resign from either elected board.

He was a Republican candidate for the state House of Representatives but received the fewest votes of any candidate in the Sept. 11 Republican primary and will not appear on the November ballot.