On November 3, 2017, Paul was assaulted by a neighbor, Rene Boucher (then aged 59), a retired anesthesiologist. Paul, who is deaf in one ear, was wearing noise-cancelling headphones while mowing his lawn, enabling Boucher to blindside Paul.
Boucher was arrested and charged with one count of fourth-degree assault and released on a $7,500 bond. Paul sustained five broken ribs, of which three were displaced fractures. Boucher’s attorney, Matthew Baker, described it as “a very regrettable dispute between two neighbors over a matter that most people would regard as trivial”. The dispute was over Paul repeatedly leaving tree yard debris in view of his neighbor.
Boucher was originally charged in Kentucky state court, but was later charged in federal court, where he ultimately pleaded guilty to assaulting a member of Congress. Boucher was sentenced to 30 days in prison, one year of probation, 100 hours of community service, and a $10,000 fine; prosecutors had sought a 21-month term and have appealed the sentence. The state-court charge was dismissed after Boucher pleaded guilty to the federal charge. On January 30, 2019, a jury awarded Paul $582,834 for punitive damages, pain and suffering, and medical expenses; Boucher’s attorney indicated he would appeal.
In August 2019, part of Paul’s lung required removal as a result of the injuries he suffered during the attack.
If his immune system doesn’t win the first battles and the illness proceeds to pneumonia, he’ll be in far more trouble that others in his age group.
