John Dougall, a 53-year-old resident of Greenock originally hailing from Inverkip, found himself entangled in the judicial machinery of late 17th-century Scotland due to his established reputation as a healer. Often referred to in legal records as a "charmer," John first gained local notoriety in 1672 for his perceived ability to treat ailing animals. This intersection of folk practice and communal concern eventually drew the attention of authorities; by December 1695, he had provided a confession to the court. His involvement deepened significantly toward the end of the century when he was implicated alongside several others in a series of accusations initiated by a group of girls who claimed to be tormented, a case that notably linked him to the legal proceedings surrounding Margaret Murdoch.
The ensuing legal process was protracted and disjointed, reflecting the complexities of the Scottish judiciary at the time. Following witness statements and a formal dittay recorded in April 1699, a trial was initially scheduled to convene in Glasgow that May, though it appears never to have taken place. The accusations brought against John, which included allegations of causing property damage to fishing interests, were eventually moved to the High Court in Edinburgh. On 12 March 1700, the diet was deserted, and John was subsequently released from the charges brought against him, bringing his involvement in the formal trial system to a close.