The Latest: Lawyer says attack on Sen. Paul not political | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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The Latest: Lawyer says attack on Sen. Paul not political

This photo provided by the Warren County Regional Jail shows Rene Boucher, who has been arrested and charged with assaulting and injuring U.S. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky. Kentucky State Police said in a news release Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017 that Paul suffered injuries when 59-year-old Rene Boucher assaulted him at his Warren County home on Friday afternoon. (Warren County Regional Jail via AP)
Original Publication Date November 09, 2017 - 7:26 AM

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - The Latest on the court appearance of a man accused of attacking Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul (all times local):

11 a.m.

A lawyer for a man accused of assaulting Sen. Rand Paul says the possibility of a federal charge is a concern.

Attorney Matt Baker says he hopes that doesn't happen for his client, Rene Boucher, who is currently charged with fourth-degree assault. The county prosecutor has suggested that criminal charges may change because of the severity of the lawmaker's injuries.

Warren County prosecutor Amy Milliken didn't provide any more details but said her office is working with Kentucky State Police and the FBI.

Baker says the attack had "nothing to do with politics." He says it was a disagreement between two neighbours.

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10:30 a.m.

The county prosecutor in the case against a man accused of assaulting U.S. Sen. Rand Paul says criminal charges may be changed because of the severity of the lawmaker's injuries.

Warren County prosecutor Amy Milliken didn't provide any more details but said her office is working with Kentucky State Police and the FBI. She says the investigation "has not concluded."

Rene Boucher pleaded not guilty to fourth-degree assault Thursday. Boucher is accused of attacking the senator while he mowed his lawn in the neighbourhood where they live.

Neither the prosecutor nor Boucher's attorney have said what prompted the attack, but Boucher's attorney has said it was trivial and not related to politics.

Paul wrote on Twitter that he suffered six broken ribs and has excess fluid around the lungs.

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10 a.m.

A longtime neighbour accused of assaulting U.S. Sen. Rand Paul and breaking six of his ribs pleaded not guilty to assault in court in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Rene Boucher pleaded not guilty to a fourth-degree assault charge Thursday in connection with the attack as Paul mowed his lawn in the neighbourhood where they both live.

Boucher was wearing a suit and barely spoke in the courtroom, only saying "yes sir" to a judge. He showed no emotion and kept his head down during the brief proceeding.

Boucher faces up to a year in jail if convicted on the charge. Boucher, Paul's next-door neighbour, is accused of attacking the Washington lawmaker last Friday.

Boucher is next due in court Nov. 30 for a pre-trial hearing.

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4:20 a.m.

The neighbour of U.S. Sen. Rand Paul accused of assaulting the Kentucky Republican while he was mowing his lawn is scheduled to appear in court.

Rene Boucher is charged with misdemeanour fourth-degree assault. His arraignment is set for Thursday in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Paul wrote on Twitter Wednesday that he suffered six broken ribs and a pleural effusion, which is excess fluid around the lungs. The injuries have sidelined Paul from the Senate as he recovers at his home.

The ongoing mystery is what led to the assault. Boucher's attorney has called it "a very regrettable dispute" that was "trivial."

Paul and Boucher have been neighbours for 17 years in a gated community.

A Paul friend says the senator was tackled from behind and slammed to the ground Friday.

News from © The Associated Press, 2017
The Associated Press

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