EASTPORT, Maine — Hazen McDugald, the man charged with aggravated assault in connection with the death of an Eastport man, was in court in Calais on Wednesday accused of an assault on his father.
McDugald, 39, of Eastport was charged with aggravated assault and domestic violence assault against Thomas McDugald on July 7, Washington County District Attorney Matthew Foster confirmed Friday. Foster could not provide details about the domestic incident because it remains under investigation. Court documents filed in Calais District Court offer no details about the assault on the elder McDugald.
That case was continued after a dispositional conference on Sept. 23, when the court changed Hazen McDugald’s court-appointed attorney from Al Churchill to Jeff Davidson, Foster said. The change was made because Davidson is the only attorney in Washington County qualified to handle violent felonies and he will be defending McDugald in the Harris case as well, Foster said
Hazen McDugald faces two counts of aggravated assault and one count of violating bail in connection with the “suspicious death” of Maurice “Allen” Harris of Eastport. McDugald was arrested on those charges Sept. 17.
Harris, 75, was found dead in his home at approximately 10 p.m. Sept. 10 by Eastport police, who had received a call requesting they check on the residence, according to Maine Department of Public Safety spokesman Stephen McCausland.
McCausland said on Sept. 18 that an investigation into Harris’ death was ongoing and that other charges could result. He said he did not have details about the alleged assault on Harris by McDugald, other than that the incident occurred at Harris’ home at 3 Clark St.
Eastport Police Chief Frances LaCoute said this week that McDugald was arrested shortly after Harris’ death for violating the conditions of his release on the July 7 domestic assault charges.
She said police wanted to ask him questions during their investigation into Harris’ death and asked him to remain where he was standing on a sidewalk, but he left.
McDugald was released from Washington County Jail on Sept. 16, but then arrested the next day by Maine State Police on the aggravated assault charges connected to the Harris case. That case since has been handed over to the state attorney general’s office.
Timothy Feeley, spokesman for the attorney general’s office, said McDugald made his first court appearance in the Harris case on Sept. 18 in Machias District Court. Bail for the defendant was set at $25,000 cash or $250,000 double surety, he said, with a dispositional conference set for Nov. 18. McDugald remains incarcerated at the Washington County Jail in Machias.
Foster said Friday that he has not yet decided whether to pursue an indictment against McDugald over the alleged July 7 domestic assault.
“I think we’re going to wait and see what happens with the other charges before we make any decision on this case,” Foster said.
Because the Washington County grand jury doesn’t meet again until Nov. 5, there is no need to hurry to make a decision, he said.
“I just want to see what direction the attorney general’s office is going to take with it,” Foster said, adding it’s possible the domestic assault and charges in connection with the death could proceed together.
McDugald has been in trouble with the law before.
According to documents obtained from Calais District Court, McDugald pleaded guilty in April to theft by unauthorized use of property and sentenced to 12 hours in jail.
He pleaded guilty on July 1 to operating under the influence and failure to stop, remain and render aid. His driver’s license was suspended for 150 days and he paid a $500 fine plus costs in that case, according to court documents.
He also has previous convictions for fishing without a license in 2014 and operating a vehicle without a license in 2009.
BDN writer Bill Trotter contributed to this report.