Testimony continues in teacher's domestic violence case

CANFIELD — Testimony continues today in a jury trial of a Canfield Village Middle School teacher who was arrested on charges of domestic violence last Thanksgiving.

An eight-person jury, along with one alternate, was chosen this morning before testimony from family members of Douglas Dawson, the CVMS teacher.

Attorneys for both sides have presented narratives about two incidents - one on Thanksgiving night and one later on Jan. 1 when Dawson was arrested on violation of a protection order.

The Thanksgiving night incident stemmed from an argument between Dawson and one of his sons about using a car. The son then took a vehicle from the home, which led to an argument between Dawson and his wife, according to a police report.

His wife told police Dawson put her in a headlock and “flipped her upside-down and pinned her down,” the report said. Dawson also threw himself backward into an officer, driving that officer into a glass china cabinet. Police officers then stunned Dawson and pinned him to the ground to take him into custody Thanksgiving night.

Dawson was also charged with resisting arrest and obstructing official business. Since his arrest, he has been on paid administrative leave from Canfield schools on special assignment, meaning that he isn't assigned to a room.