Rand Paul's neighbor accused of attacking him pleads not guilty

Thomas Novelly
Courier Journal
US Senator Rand Paul made a Wednesday afternoon stop at the UPS Flight Training Center for a roundtable discussion with local business leaders on Oct. 11, 2017.

Sen. Rand Paul's neighbor, a 59-year-old retired doctor who is accused of attacking the politician last week and breaking six of his ribs, pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge in court Thursday morning. 

Rene Boucher, of Bowling Green, appeared Thursday morning in Warren County District Court alongside his attorney Matthew J. Baker. 

Boucher has been ordered to stay 1,000 feet away from Paul and his family, unless he is in his own home, which sits a few hundred feet away from Paul's. 

A pre-trial conference is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Nov. 30.

The registered Democrat admitted to going on Paul’s property and tackling him, according to an arrest warrant from Kentucky State Police. He is charged with fourth-degree assault, a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $500 fine. 

The charge is usually reserved for incidents that result in minor injuries. If federal charges are added, Boucher could potentially face 10 years in prison for physically attacking a politician.

His attorney Matthew J. Baker has said the “unfortunate occurrence” between the neighbors of more than 17 years “has absolutely nothing to do with either’s politics or political agendas.” He added that it was a “regrettable dispute” over something most people would consider trivial. 

Background:Sen. Rand Paul says he actually has six broken ribs as well as fluid buildup in his chest

Gated community developer:U.S. Sen. Rand Paul and his neighbor have a history of conflict

An FBI spokesman said Tuesday there was no update in the investigation or on whether additional charges would be filed. 

While there's no official word on what caused the fight. The neighborhood's developer Jim Skaggs said it might have stemmed from Paul allegedly blowing lawn trimmings into his neighbor's yard. 

"I think this is something that has been festering," Skaggs said. "I wanted to build a place where everyone could get along, but I guess that's just impossible."

Other neighbors, however, have said the alleged assault came as a total surprise to them.

Rob Porter, a 20-year friend of the senator, said he had never even heard of Boucher.

"When I saw Rand after the incident, he even acknowledged that he hadn't talked to Boucher in years," Porter said. "If there was some kind of ongoing rift, I wasn't aware of it and Rand didn't act like he was aware of it."

In a statement released Thursday, Doug Stafford, a senior adviser to Sen. Paul, said the two haven't spoken in a while. 

"This is a serious criminal matter involving serious injury, and is being handled by local and federal authorities.," Stafford said. "As to reports of a longstanding dispute with the attacker, the Pauls have had no conversations with him in many years. The first 'conversation' with the attacker came after Sen. Paul's ribs were broken.”

Reporter Matthew Glowicki contributed to this report. Reach Reporter Thomas Novelly at 502-582-4465 or by email at tnovelly@courier-journal.com. Follow him on Twitter @TomNovelly.