MACHIAS, Maine — An Eastport man awaiting trial on a manslaughter charge has been indicted by the Washington County grand jury in connection with an alleged attack on a corrections officer on Feb. 25.
Hazen McDugald, 40, was indicted July 8 on one count each of aggravated attempted murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault and assault on an officer.
McDugald was arrested last year on charges of aggravated assault and violation of bail after police found Maurice “Allen” Harris dead at his home at 3 Clark St. on Sept. 10, 2015. McDugald was indicted on a manslaughter charge in November in connection with Harris’ death.
He has pleaded not guilty to those charges. A trial date has not been set.
Washington County Sheriff Barry Curtis in February credited a corrections officer in training for helping to prevent McDugald from inflicting more serious injuries on the officer at Washington County Jail.
“McDugald was exercising in the [jail] recreation area under the supervision of a full-time corrections officer and Corrections Officer Trainee Martin Rizzitano,” Curtis said in a statement. “McDugald, with no apparent reason or provocation, assaulted the corrections officer, rendering him unconscious.”
Rizzitano, in his first day on the job, intervened and subdued McDugald, Curtis said.
“Trainee Rizzitano undoubtedly saved the corrections officer from further injury,” the sheriff said.
The corrections officer, whose name was not released, was taken to Downeast Community Hospital in Machias, where he was treated for his injuries and then released, according to Curtis.
In addition to the $25,000 bail that was set in connection with Harris’ death, McDugald is being held on an additional $35,000 bail as a result of the attack on the corrections officer, Curtis said in February.
He is being held at the Aroostook County Jail, according to Washington County jail personnel.
In a separate incident, McDugald pleaded guilty last November to domestic violence assault charges after attacking his father on July 7, 2015, according to court documents. A charge of aggravated assault against McDugald in that case was dismissed. Details about the July 7 assault have not been publicly disclosed.
McDugald was sentenced to 50 days in jail for that incident with credit for time served.
BDN writer Bill Trotter contributed to this report.