BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Rand Paul’s long-time neighbor pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges that he assaulted the Kentucky Republican while he was mowing his lawn.
Rene Boucher only spoke to reply “yes sir” to a judge during a brief arraignment. He showed no emotion and kept his head down. Boucher faces up to a year in jail if convicted of fourth-degree assault.
Paul, who was not at the hearing, wrote on Twitter on Wednesday that he suffered six broken ribs and has excess fluid around his lungs. The injuries have sidelined Paul from the Senate as he recovers at his home.
Warren County District Judge Brent Potter set a pre-trial court date for Nov. 30. Boucher has been ordered to stay away from Paul and the senator’s family.
Boucher’s attorney has called the situation “a very regrettable dispute” that was “trivial.” Boucher’s attorney left the courtroom Thursday without speaking to reporters.
Paul and Boucher have been neighbors for 17 years in a gated community.
Rob Porter, a close friend of the lawmaker, said this week that Paul doesn’t know why he was attacked. Paul was mowing his yard and had stopped to remove a limb when Boucher tackled him from behind, Porter said. Paul was wearing ear protection and didn’t hear Boucher coming, the friend said.
I would contribute to the BLDF (Boucher Legal Defense Fund)
I’m still laughing over Mr. Smirky Faux Libertarian agreeing to live in a neighborhood with a Homeowner’s Association, which means volunteering to be subject to the rules of yet one more governing body.
Apparently federal, state, and municipal laws weren’t enough for Mr. Smirky Faux Libertarian, he wanted more rules.
Paul pays his lawyer. Boucher pays his lawyer. Charges are dropped when the two parties agree on a settlement. Boucher’s lawyer make money. Paul’s makes money.
…and Paul’s ribs are still broken. Not a bad outcome if you think about it.
We all know what an obnoxious, entitled little prick Rand Paul is.
It kinda sounds like his neighbor was an obnoxious, entitled little prick too. With some serious anger management issues, apparently.
I wouldn’t want either of these jerks for a next-door neighbor.
You can’t hardly move into a newly developed middle class or above neighborhood without having a Homeowner’s Association.