Senator hurt in ‘trivial’ dispute
BOWLING GREEN, Kentucky — An assault of U.S. Sen. Rand Paul by a longtime next-door neighbour was not motivated by political differences but by a dispute “most people would find trivial,” an attorney for the man charged in the attack said Monday.
Matt Baker did not say what the dispute was about, preserving the mystery around an attack that left Paul, 54, with five broken ribs.
Police charged 59-year-old Rene Boucher with misdemeanour fourth-degree assault with a minor injury. Records show he was released from jail on Saturday on a $7,500 US bond. He has not returned multiple calls seeking comment.
Boucher and Paul have been neighbours for 17 years, the attorney said. Paul is an ophthalmologist and Boucher is an anesthesiologist. Baker called them “both prominent members of the medical community” who “worked together when they were both practicing physicians.
“The unfortunate occurrence of Nov. 3 has absolutely nothing to do with either’s politics or political agendas. It was a very regrettable dispute between two neighbours over a matter that most people would regard as trivial,” Baker said in an email to the Associated Press.
Doug Stafford, Paul’s senior adviser, called the case a “serious criminal matter involving state and federal authorities.” He has said the attack could potentially lead to “life-threatening injuries.”
A friend of Paul told the Washington Post that the senator had been mowing his lawn at the time of the attack. According to an arrest warrant, Paul told police Boucher came onto his property and tackled him from behind, forcing him to the ground.
Stafford said Paul’s injuries were caused by “high velocity severe force.” He said it’s unclear when Paul could return to work. He said Paul is in considerable pain and having trouble getting around.
Baker said Boucher didn’t suffer any injuries.
Paul’s absence from the Senate creates another challenge for a slim Republican majority.