Mass. Man Charged with Felony Assault After Thames St. Fight

Newport Police charged a 43-year-old Quincy, Mass., man with felony assault early Sunday morning for allegedly assaulting and seriously injuring a 21-year-old New York man during a fight on Thames Street after the bars had closed.

Police said a fight broke out on Thames Street near Cafe Zelda at around 1:24 a.m. Officers came upon the victim, a 21-year-old West Babylon, N.Y., man, bleeding profusely from the face.

He said he was attacked by another man for no reason and pointed to a person in the crowd. That person was Scott Michael MacDougall, of 149 Safford St., Quincy.

Police said MacDougall had blood on his hands, shorts, shirt and shoes and was arrested a short distance from the scene.

The victim was transported to Newport Hospital where he received initial treatment for a blowout fracture to his orbital socket. He was later transported to Rhode Island Hospital for additional treatment.

The fight erupted after MacDougall allegedly put his arm around a woman as she stood with the victim and another man on Thames Street. The male friend said the victim was attacked after he took issue with MacDougall touching the woman.

When the victim intervened, MacDougall and his friends reportedly ganged up on him and kicked him when he was on the ground, according to a witness statement.

The crowd dispersed as police approached but MacDougall was less than 100 feet away as officers arrived and was taken into custody without incident.

Police seized the bloody clothes as evidence.

McDougall was arraigned by a justice of the peace and released on $5,000 surety bail later on Sunday. He is due to return to Second Division District Court on May 21.