Government will not push again for more prison time for Rand Paul assailant
Federal prosecutors have decided not to push for more prison time for the man who assaulted Republican U.S. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky in 2017.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad Shepard announced the decision during a short hearing Tuesday for Rene Boucher, who pleaded guilty to attacking a member of Congress.
A judge first sentenced Boucher to serve 30 days in jail and pay a $10,00 fine. The government appealed that decision, arguing the sentence was too lenient.
Last month, U.S. District Judge Matthew Leitman upped Boucher’s sentence to 8 months in prison, with credit for the 30 days he served, plus six months on home confinement after his release.
Shepard objected to the sentence and indicated prosecutors would discuss yet another appeal.
However, he said he ultimately did not recommend further appeal.
Court officials have ordered Boucher to report to prison in Georgia on Sept. 21 to begin serving the additional seven months.
Leitman asked if Boucher wanted to consider delaying his reporting date over concerns about COVID-19 cases, but after discussing it, his attorney, Matthew Baker, said Boucher wants to go ahead and start his sentence.
Leitman said if coronavirus cases go up at the prison, he would consider a request to let Boucher delay starting his sentence.
Shepard said the prison where Boucher is assigned had 18 positive cases among staff as of Tuesday but none among inmates.
Boucher tackled Paul in November 2017. Boucher, a doctor who lived next door to Paul at the time, said he lost his temper after Paul piled yard waste near their property line several times.
The attack broke six of Paul’s ribs.
He testified last month that he had intense pain after the attack, coughed up blood and contracted pneumonia, and ultimately had surgery to remove part of his lung. Paul said he still suffers chronic pain.
Boucher apologized for the attack.
A jury in a civil trial ordered him to pay Paul $600,000. Boucher has appealed
