{"id":128917,"date":"2017-11-06T22:17:19","date_gmt":"2017-11-07T03:17:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/?p=128917"},"modified":"2017-11-06T22:17:19","modified_gmt":"2017-11-07T03:17:19","slug":"attorney-sen-paul-attack-was-over-trivial-dispute","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/2017\/11\/06\/attorney-sen-paul-attack-was-over-trivial-dispute\/","title":{"rendered":"Attorney: Sen. Paul attack was over ‘trivial’ dispute"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\u201cRepublicans<\/a>
Paul is an ophthalmologist and Boucher is an anesthesiologist. (Photo By United States Senate, Public Domain<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — An assault of U.S. Sen. Rand Paul by a longtime next-door neighbour was not motivated by political differences but by a dispute \u201cmost people would find trivial,\u201d an attorney for the man charged in the attack said Monday.<\/p>\n

Attorney Matt Baker did not say what dispute prompted the attack that stunned the Bowling Green community and left Paul, 54, with five broken ribs.<\/p>\n

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 bond. He has not returned multiple calls seeking comment.<\/p>\n

Boucher and Paul have been neighbours for 17 years, the attorney said. Paul is an ophthalmologist and Boucher is an anesthesiologist. Baker called them \u201cboth prominent members of the medical community\u201d who \u201cworked together when they were both practicing physicians.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe 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,\u201d Baker said in an email to The Associated Press. \u201cWe sincerely hope that Sen. Paul is doing well and that these two gentlemen can get back to being neighbours as quickly as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

Baker said in an interview later, \u201cThis is just a profoundly unfortunate set of circumstances that I’m sure that if everyone had it to do over again, it would be done completely differently.\u201d He declined to say what might have triggered the incident, adding he thinks he has a \u201cpretty good idea.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI’d like to do my due diligence before I’m any more specific,\u201d Baker said.<\/p>\n

Doug Stafford, Paul’s senior adviser, called the case a \u201cserious criminal matter involving state and federal authorities.\u201d He has said the attack could potentially lead to \u201clife-threatening injuries.\u201d<\/p>\n

State police asked at least one reporter to leave the gated neighbourhood Monday afternoon.<\/p>\n

A friend of Paul’s told The Washington Post that the senator was 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.<\/p>\n

Stafford said Paul’s injuries were caused by \u201chigh velocity severe force.\u201d He said it’s unclear when Paul could return to work. He said Paul is in considerable pain and having trouble getting around.<\/p>\n

Baker said Boucher didn’t suffer any injuries.<\/p>\n

Paul’s absence from the Senate creates another challenge for a slim Republican majority that’s caused heartburn for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. On Monday, McConnell wished his fellow Kentuckian a speedy recovery and said the GOP \u201cneed all hands on deck, all the time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery day’s a Maalox moment,\u201d McConnell joked, before turning serious about the ramifications of having a Republican member away from the Senate for a prolonged time.<\/p>\n

\u201cI’ve got a 52 to 48 majority, and as you saw on several occasions, we’re not always totally in lockstep,\u201d he said. \u201cAnytime we have a senator on our side who’s not there, it’s potentially a challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n

Asked if he might have to delay some votes, McConnell said: \u201cI haven’t had a chance to check with him (Paul) yet today about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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