A Cape St. Claire man was arrested at a Saturday night candidates' forum, when he grew agitated toward a candidate, disrupted the event and defied a police officer, Anne Arundel County police said Tuesday. Police said Peter John McMenamin, 51, was "protesting loudly" that Andy Harris, the Republican candidate for Maryland's first Congressional District, was not fully answering his questions at the Cape St. Claire Improvement Association's forum. They said a uniformed off-duty officer asked him to step outside so the forum could continue. McMenamin reluctantly left, "yelling the entire way," police said. He did not quiet down outside, was told not to re-enter the building, and defied the officer, according to police. He was charged about 8:40 p.m. with disorderly conduct, failing to obey a police officer and resisting arrest, police said. The county executive candidates had already left the forum, police said.
andrea.siegel@baltsun.com