Saturday, Sen. Rand Paul was jumped and beaten in his front yard by his next-door neighbor Rene Boucher. The attack left Paul with six broken ribs.
Since the attack, his attorney suggested attacker Rene Boucher (an anesthesiologist) was unusually riled up over landscaping clippings left out by the Paul’s, but other neighbors dispute those claims.
From the WaEx:
But seven neighbors in the Rivergreen gated community told Secrets Wednesday that the Pauls are friendly homeowners who kept their property tidy.“The Paul’s landscaping looks just like everyone’s place in Rivergreen. Wish I could get him to cut my lawn,” said neighbor Robert Warner. “As a friend, neighbor and senator, Rand has been first class in every way. What I find amazing is the fact that he cuts his own grass. Our neighborhood is fortunate that the Paul’s live here,” he added.All seven neighbors expressed shock at the “scary” attack on Paul as he was doing yard work last Saturday and they dismissed reports that it was the result of poor landscaping. However, they are puzzled about why Boucher, 59, allegedly tackled Paul, 54, who was wearing ear plugs at the time. Boucher has been charged with assault.“The stories of a ‘landscaping dispute’ or a dispute of any sort between Rand Paul and Rene Boucher are erroneous and unfounded. The reason for Mr. Boucher’s bizarre attack is known only to him. Statements to the contrary are irresponsible and unnecessary,” said neighbor Travis Creed.He added, “Speculation regarding Boucher’s motive has led to an unfair characterization of the Pauls and their home. The Pauls are and always have been great neighbors and friends. They take pride in their property and maintain it accordingly. Rand has enjoyed working on and maintaining his lawn for as long as I have known him.”…All seven neighbors expressed shock at the “scary” attack on Paul as he was doing yard work last Saturday and they dismissed reports that it was the result of poor landscaping. However, they are puzzled about why Boucher, 59, allegedly tackled Paul, 54, who was wearing ear plugs at the time. Boucher has been charged with assault.“The stories of a ‘landscaping dispute’ or a dispute of any sort between Rand Paul and Rene Boucher are erroneous and unfounded. The reason for Mr. Boucher’s bizarre attack is known only to him. Statements to the contrary are irresponsible and unnecessary,” said neighbor Travis Creed.He added, “Speculation regarding Boucher’s motive has led to an unfair characterization of the Pauls and their home. The Pauls are and always have been great neighbors and friends. They take pride in their property and maintain it accordingly. Rand has enjoyed working on and maintaining his lawn for as long as I have known him.”
Based on his social media profiles, Boucher was fervently anti-Trump and anti-Republican. Seven neighbors think the landscaping excuse is bogus as does Sen. Paul (who tweeted the above-cited article from his official account).
I understand being cautious about assigning motive until the facts provide one, but what’s left here? Clearly, everyone, including Paul believe the defendant’s excuse is just that.
More frightening than the attack itself is the relative neglect this story has received. The press ought to be knocking down doors trying to get to the bottom of this. A lawmaker attacked in his own homes and for what look to be politically motivated reasons is no small occurrence and the latest troubling development in the normalization of violent behavior aimed at differing opinions.
Follow Kemberlee on Twitter @kemberleekaye
CLICK HERE FOR FULL VERSION OF THIS STORY