Bentonville Man Acquitted

Psychologist Diagnoses OHarris With Delusional Disorder

— A Bentonville man has been acquitted of harassing Bentonville Mayor Bob McCaslin and three other men.

Michael OHarris, 52, was charged with four counts of harassment and possession of a firearm by certain persons, all Class A misdemeanors.

The acquittal came after OHarris was found to have a mental disease or defect, according to court documents. OHarris was committed to the Arkansas State Hospital in Little Rock last year to restore his fitness to stand trial.

Dr. John Althoff, a clinical psychologist at the Arkansas State Hospital, diagnosed OHarris with persecutory type delusional disorder, according to court documents.

Circuit Judge Robin Green signed an order Monday that acquitted OHarris. He is in Arkansas Department of Human Services custody and will be sent to the State Hospital for treatment and evaluation.

OHarris was arrested Nov. 30, 2011, in connection with the harassment charges. OHarris claimed McCaslin threatened him by pointing his finger at him when McCaslin saw OHarris at Sam’s Club. OHarris also claimed a Bentonville police officer made threats by pointing his finger at OHarris, according to court documents.

OHarris was ordered not to contact McCaslin, police Capt. Mike Smith, Arvy Richard Smith and Bob Bogle.

Arvy Smith contacted police Nov. 22, 2011, about being followed and receiving threats from a man in a white vehicle, according to court documents. Police went to OHarris’ home where OHarris claimed Arvy Smith pointed his finger at him and told him he was dead, according to the affidavit.

OHarris then told police he was going to get Arvy Smith, McCaslin and Capt. Mike Smith, according to court documents. OHarris claimed he wanted the city and Bogle to pay for damage to his truck, the affidavit states.

OHarris was released on a $5,000 bond and ordered not to contact the men.

McCaslin reported at 8:46 a.m. Feb. 7, 2012, OHarris could be in violation of the no-contact order. McCaslin, walking to the Station Cafe on the downtown square, saw OHarris drive by slowly and stare at him. McCaslin went into the restaurant and OHarris pulled his vehicle into the nearby Harps parking lot, according to court documents.

OHarris was arrested for violating the no-contact order. Police found a box of 9 mm ammunition and a paper target with several bullet holes in OHarris’ vehicle, according to court documents.

A digital camera also was found. Police looked at the videos and found Harris recorded himself driving by Bogle’s home, according to court documents.

Police searched OHarris’ home and found three rifles and a Hi-Point 9 mm pistol, according to court documents.

Arkansas law prohibits anyone involuntarily committed from possessing firearms. OHarris also had been ordered not to possess firearms after his first arrest.

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