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Rand Paul Attacker Pleads Guilty in Federal Court

Lisa Autry

The neighbor of U.S. Senator Rand Paul has pleaded guilty to a felony charge of assaulting a member of Congress.  Rene Boucher was in federal court in Bowling Green on Friday for arraignment. 

The 59-year-old Boucher has admitted to tackling Paul from behind as he mowed his lawn last November.  The attack left the Republican lawmaker with several broken ribs and later pneumonia. 

In a plea agreement, Boucher said the incident wasn’t motivated by politics, but rather a property dispute that had “boiled over.”

His attorney Matt Baker says the retired physician is ready to put the ordeal behind him.

"It's profoundly embarrassing for him. He's looking forward to closure, and this is the next big step in achieving that," Baker told WKU Public Radio. "We want to extend our well wishes to the senator and his family, hope they're doing well, and hopefully we can all turn the page."

Boucher’s felony conviction is punishable by up to ten years in prison.  His attorney will ask for probation while prosecutors will recommend he serve 21 months.  Sentencing was set for June 15.

 

© 2018 WKU Public Radio

Lisa is a Scottsville native and WKU alum. She has worked in radio as a news reporter and anchor for 18 years. Prior to joining WKU Public Radio, she most recently worked at WHAS in Louisville and WLAC in Nashville. She has received numerous awards from the Associated Press, including Best Reporter in Kentucky. Many of her stories have been heard on NPR.
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